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Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.

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141–150 of 177 posts

Family time arrived quickly; a new sense of purpose took longer

May 2019

Life at the time

  • Mike began a deliberate health routine.
  • Running with friends and writing replaced some aimless browsing.

How it felt

  • He felt better after redirecting his attention from money. “feels great”
  • Reconnecting with others made the change rewarding. “enjoying the process”

He could go anywhere. Six years later, he wanted to stay home.

May 2019 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Volunteered as an English teacher in Bangkok and returned home after about ten months.
  • Accepted a small remote role from a former employer.

How it felt

  • Looked back positively on the travel, volunteering and people he met. “Regret nothing, would do it all over again.”
  • The paid role still felt manageable because it had stayed limited. “it hasn't grown into anything bigger yet”

Losing the job was painful. Life afterward was mostly good—and sometimes boring.

Apr 2019 · Year 4

Life at the time

  • Gym visits, friends and outings filled a relaxed week.
  • The couple regularly visited their second home in the Southwest.

How it felt

  • He sometimes felt bored or obliged to work. “there are days I’m just bored”
  • His wife remained content without another job. “she loves not working”

She recovered her sleep and good mood. A bigger purpose could wait.

Mar 2019 · Year 1.5

Life at the time

  • Breakfast with her working partner anchored the morning.
  • Exercise, housework, photography and cooking shaped ordinary days.

How it felt

  • Lower stress improved life together. “My stress level is way down.”
  • Questions about a larger purpose remained unresolved. “bigger purpose”

Purpose grows into a community, then new local connections

Mar 2019

Life at the time

  • Ran a guest-blog series about meaning and prepared an April activity challenge.
  • Kept fit to play with her young grandchildren and model an active life.

How it felt

  • Felt excited about the forthcoming shared challenge. “I’m excited about April”
  • Found helping others motivating and a source of purpose. “I think I’ve found my purpose”

Making time for family after a consuming career

Feb 2019Interview snapshot · published 2019

Life at the time

  • Outside executive employment, he spent more time with his wife and children while pursuing angel investments, walks, runs and yoga.

How it felt

  • He regretted earlier absences and described family and community involvement as part of his personal growth. “enjoy it immensely”

He escaped the corporate role, then found another reason to use his skills.

2019

Life at the time

  • Left a successful corporate career.
  • Built financial-independence writing for a UK audience. “trying to create some, some UK content”

How it felt

  • Found leaving frightening because the job had been part of his identity. “It’s kind of terrifying to quit a job”
  • Other people’s accounts had helped make a different life feel possible.

Leaving the executive role made room for parenting, but not an empty day.

2019Recalled in 2020

Life at the time

  • Unstructured time initially replaced a demanding executive schedule.
  • Exercise and small projects began to rebuild a routine.

How it felt

  • The first relief gave way to feeling unproductive. “a big relief”
  • Recent career setbacks had shaken his confidence. “falling into a rut”

He won his freedom—and ran out of goals.

2019 · Year 3

Life at the time

  • Declined more opportunities to protect personal projects.
  • Organized time with extended family and checked financial spreadsheets less often.

How it felt

  • Found saying no an important part of making freedom satisfying. “this third year was marked by saying no to most things”
  • Was shifting attention away from further financial growth. “more growth is not going to make me happier.”

Family time arrived quickly; a new sense of purpose took longer

Sep 2018

Life at the time

  • Phia spent more time parenting, cooking and writing.
  • The family traveled and walked to everyday activities.

How it felt

  • She valued the slower family life. “a little aimless”
  • She still wanted an absorbing role beyond home. “pretty amazing”

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