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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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11–20 of 32 posts

The cheap retirement got more expensive. Going back still looked worse.

Aug 2024 · Year 1

“things that I hate doing I still hate doing”

u/AutomaticSquirrel32Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Volunteered, traveled, camped, read and learned a language.
  • Built apps for a gaming community; an injury interrupted the gym habit.

How it felt

  • Still enjoyed retirement, even with coparenting tensions and imperfect routines. “I still enjoy my FI/RE time very much.”
  • Found that extra time had not made disliked chores any more appealing. “things that I hate doing I still hate doing”
ContentmentCuriosityParenthood
u/AutomaticSquirrel32
Read original postreddit.com

A stunned last workday became five months of slow travel

Mar 2024 · At departureRecalled in 2025

“On March 29, 2024, I closed my laptop for the last time.”

u/NordicDarlingRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Finished work after a negotiated three-month transition.
  • Celebrated with her husband, then sat quietly together.

How it felt

  • Felt stunned that they had finally achieved their plan. “We had done it.”
  • Savored a moment she says she will never forget. “just sat stunned”
TravelContentment
u/NordicDarling
Read original postreddit.com

Seven years without a job. A full life built around friends and bread.

Feb 2024 · Year 5

“Everything is going great, still totally happy, never bored.”

u/Oracle_of_FIRERead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Kept regular time with friends five years after leaving work.
  • Considered living nearer friends and visiting aging parents more often.

How it felt

  • Reported sustained happiness without boredom. “Everything is going great, still totally happy, never bored.”
  • Ordinary contact with friends remained a reliable part of the week. “Still hanging out with friends on a weekly basis”
FriendsFamilyContentment
u/Oracle_of_FI/RE
Read original postreddit.com

Retirement began with travel restrictions. The motorhome years still delivered.

Jan 2023 · Year 3

“Now though, no regrets on either side!”

Mark GreeneRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They were traveling mainly in their motorhome.
  • Their former home was rented out.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed their stop in southern France. “it is very pleasant”
  • They both felt glad about retirement. “no regrets on either side”
TravelContentment
Mark Greene
Read original postmonevator.com

He expected a new life. The reward was being an available father.

Sep 2022 · Year 1

“Now that I've had some experience of it, what strikes me about retirement is how normal it seems.”

u/TheOrchardFIRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Cooked, gardened, read and spent time swimming, walking and playing with a child.
  • Adapted to friends’ working hours and a spouse’s part-time job.

How it felt

  • Found retirement surprisingly normal rather than a permanent vacation high. “what strikes me about retirement is how normal it seems.”
  • Valued being available to a child without work competing for attention. “I can be there for him without any competing obligations.”
ParenthoodRoutineContentment
u/TheOrchardFI
Read original postreddit.com

Their work ended together. Faith, golf and service kept the week full.

Jul 2022 · Year 4

“Retirement is beautiful”

ESI Retiree 39Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Prayer, golf, walks and community service shaped their days.
  • Friendship visits returned as pandemic restrictions eased.

How it felt

  • They saw retirement as chosen work with a different timetable. “Retirement is beautiful”
  • Time at home together had also felt satisfying. “perfectly content”
PurposeRoutineContentment
ESI Retiree 39
Read original postesimoney.com

Book clubs and family time replace a medical career

Feb 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“Now, a bit over one year later, I can say I’m very comfortable with my decision and overall content.”

Post-FI Interviewee 014Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • In his first retirement year, the physician read extensively, joined book clubs, exercised and spent more time with his children.

How it felt

  • He was content with leaving medicine and did not miss work. “I’m very comfortable with my decision and overall content.”
FamilyCuriosityContentment
Post-FI Interviewee 014
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

An unplanned exit becomes a calmer way to live

2022Recalled in 2026

“enjoying my unplanned retirement”

Ravi TaxaliRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Practiced meditation, yoga, and running, adjusting exercise to the weather.
  • Grew vegetables, cooked, wrote, and learned coding skills for enjoyment.

How it felt

  • Reported no boredom or regret about leaving office work. “enjoying my unplanned retirement”
  • Felt calmer as daily stress receded. “made me calm”
FamilySlowing downContentment
Ravi Taxali
Read original postravitaxali.com

A job elimination becomes a welcome retirement

Aug 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-08

“I am happy to say I am retired.”

ESI Millionaire 278Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Following an involuntary job exit, she remained out of employment and planned travel with her partner.

How it felt

  • She was happy to call herself retired and valued having control of her time. “I am happy to say I am retired.”
ChangeFreedomContentment
ESI Millionaire 278
Read original postesimoney.com

Pickleball joins the home-project list

Feb 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-06

“I had no idea I would be so happy retired.”

ESI Millionaire 252Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After leaving nursing in September 2020, she tackled home projects and household work, then joined a gym and began regular pickleball.

How it felt

  • She was surprised by her happiness in retirement, though she still wanted interests beyond an eventually finite project list. “I definitely need to find some new hobbies.”
RoutineCuriosityContentment
ESI Millionaire 252
Read original postesimoney.com

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