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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 55 posts

A prepared exit opens time for family, theatre and service

Jan 2026 · Year 1

“I guess I am still in the honeymoon phase of early retirement because I cannot think of a single regret.”

Manish Sabu · Retire@55Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • His year included months with parents and a meditation retreat.
  • He wrote plays, acted, traveled by RV and expanded education volunteering.

How it felt

  • He reported no regret about retiring. “I cannot think of a single regret”
  • Helping children through a nonprofit was especially fulfilling. “one of the most fulfilling parts”
FamilyCreativityPurpose
Manish Sabu · Retire@55
Read original postdiyretire55.wordpress.com

He could afford an ambitious bucket list. He learned to leave days empty.

Jul 2025

“I embrace that at some I will fail, but for me, its more important to try than to always succeed.”

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

Life at the time

  • Read, ran, grew fruit and learned new skills.
  • Kept a longer list of ambitions, many still ahead rather than completed.

How it felt

  • Felt able to attempt things without needing every attempt to succeed. “Failure is always an option”
  • Valued trying more than maintaining a perfect record of achievements. “its more important to try than to always succeed.”
CuriosityOutdoorsCreativity
u/jayybonelie
Read original postreddit.com

A prepared exit opens time for family, theatre and service

Apr 2025

“not hoping to have it tested so soon”

Manish Sabu · Retire@55Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He was staying in India after his January retirement.
  • He reviewed his portfolio and carried out tax-related trades during volatility.

How it felt

  • He had not expected the plan to be tested so quickly. “not hoping to have it tested so soon”
  • He reported feeling unconcerned about missing some future market upside. “I am not concerned at all”
FamilyCreativityPurpose
Manish Sabu · Retire@55
Read original postdiyretire55.wordpress.com

He left the job. His own projects took over the calendar.

2025 · Year 5

“As stated in prior check-ins, making newer friends continues to be a struggle.”

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

Life at the time

  • Devoted much of the calendar to building a cabin.
  • Planned a six-week break; it had not yet been reported as completed.

How it felt

  • Recognized a familiar tendency to push a voluntary project too hard. “There is no reason I need to go so hard.”
  • Still found it difficult to build new friendships. “making newer friends continues to be a struggle.”
CreativitySlowing downFriends
u/FireBoundSoon
Read original postreddit.com

She quit her career. Years later, she quit performing retirement.

Jun 2024

“I think I’ve actually, finally achieved that “next life” I was seeking.”

Tanja Hester · Our Next LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Stopped regular blogging and social-media engagement.
  • Completed ten German courses and spent more time on art, gardening and study.

How it felt

  • No longer felt the same need to remain publicly available or relevant. “I barely respond to email.”
  • Felt closer to the life she had wanted, while missing some friends’ updates. “I think I’ve actually, finally achieved that ‘next life’ I was seeking.”
IdentityCreativityCuriosity
Tanja Hester · Our Next Life
Read original postournextlife.com

A lean Quebec life made room for writing

Mar 2024 · Year 2.83

“I want to help my fellow travelers.”

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

Life at the time

  • Finished a science-fiction novel while continuing retirement in Quebec.
  • Discussed the lifestyle with journalists, local television and a radio host.

How it felt

  • Continued enjoying free time, relationships and personal interests. “continued to enjoy my retirement”
  • Found skeptical reactions amusing and wanted the example to help others. “I want to help my fellow travelers.”
SimplicityCreativity
u/Night_Runner
Read original postreddit.com

The budget changed. So did the person living on it.

Mar 2024 · Year 2.5

“FIRE has given me the peace of mind that I can do whatever I want, and not stress too much about affording a living.”

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

Life at the time

  • Took ceramics and construction classes, played tennis and considered writing.
  • Revised the budget and kept study, work and moving as possibilities.

How it felt

  • Found ceramics especially rewarding for learning, making things and regular company. “Ceramics class was just the best.”
  • Had not settled what the rest of life should look like. “I'm still working out what I want to do with my life.”
CreativityFriendsMoney
u/peppers_
Read original postreddit.com

Semi-retirement brings photography, writing and comedy

Mar 2024Interview snapshot · published 2024-07

“I’ve been able to devote much more time to creative pursuits and other bucket list things.”

ESI Millionaire 408Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Reduced cyber-industry work left room for creative interests, personal-finance teaching and an extended working stay in Yellowstone.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed the freedom but noticed that brief office check-ins had spread across more days than before the pandemic. “I’ve been able to devote much more time to creative pursuits”
CreativityPurposeBoundaries
ESI Millionaire 408
Read original postesimoney.com

Financial independence let useful work coexist with absorbing hobbies

Feb 2024

“We spend freely on these activities that bring us joy, but not excessively”

old_eyesRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He mostly consulted for nonprofits, aiming for two days weekly.
  • His observatory and his wife’s garden received time and money.

How it felt

  • He still enjoyed work he considered useful. “enjoy it”
  • Their separate hobbies brought them pleasure. “bring us joy”
PurposeCreativityFamily
old_eyes
Read original postmonevator.com

She expected new ambitions. First came a welcome, quiet pause.

2024Recalled in 2026

“I felt free — and it was blissful.”

Elizabeth GeorgeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Walking, reading and long mornings filled the first six months.
  • The book, business and extensive travel she had imagined did not immediately happen.

How it felt

  • Doing little felt surprisingly good. “weird, cozy, liberating fog”
  • Freedom from being observed or scheduled brought relief. “I felt free”
RecoveryFreedomCreativity
Elizabeth George
Read original postesimoney.com

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