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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 105 posts

Five magnificent years gave way to restlessness. A new season needed a new plan.

Nov 2025

Life at the time

  • Traveled in Greece and Nepal and spent time climbing with a new partner.
  • Considered selling his house; the sale had not happened in this update.

How it felt

  • Had become dissatisfied with relying on self-study to fill the gap. “Bored with self-study”
  • Reported feeling calmer, although anxiety and uncertainty remained. “I’m calmer today than I was a year ago”

A slower life arrived after the next-business itch

Oct 2025 · Year 4

Life at the time

  • Spends hours on health and learning, with dates and monthly travel.
  • Takes trips with longtime friends and has identified local groups to try.

How it felt

  • Has settled into a slower life. “settled down and into a slower life”
  • Finds it difficult to meet peers and coordinate with working friends. “hard to sync up”

The second retirement has more people and purpose in it

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-03

Life at the time

  • After returning to work following a first retirement attempt, she retired again in 2024 and built weekly food-bank, library and walking commitments.

How it felt

  • She expected this attempt to last because she had found fulfilling activities, though spending remained an adjustment. “It is a big adjustment to spend money”

Learning to retire, then learning to leave a beloved project

Sep 2025

Life at the time

  • She paused blogging to support her son after a serious cycling accident.
  • After returning home, she announced the end of regular blog writing.

How it felt

  • She felt grateful for her son’s recovery and support around him. “ready for something new”
  • Unexpectedly deep blogging friendships made the decade feel valuable. “deep and lasting friendships”

The quieter town offered freedom, but too little company.

Sep 2025 · Year 1.5

Life at the time

  • Hiking, kayaking and furniture restoration joined travel and exercise.
  • They considered whether another move might offer more social opportunities.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed controlling the pace of the day. “new and strange”
  • Spending after decades of saving still felt difficult. “hard to flip that switch”

Skiing made the exit easy; home and exercise sustained it

Sep 2025Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • Early swim sessions alternated with trail rides.
  • Home renovations and shared dinners occupied afternoons.

How it felt

  • He loved control over his time. “Retirement is still great”
  • He wished more friends were available during weekdays. “freedom”

Financial safety opened into a brighter home and deeper friendships

Jun 2025

Life at the time

  • Reading and new interests filled time after decompression.
  • She practiced drawing down a designated pool of money.

How it felt

  • She felt calmer and optimistic. “peace”
  • Financial safety reduced her interest in constant portfolio attention. “feel safe”

A little golf-course work after project management

Jun 2025Interview snapshot · published 2025-08

Life at the time

  • After leaving project management, he worked about ten hours weekly at a golf course while his wife changed jobs following their move.

How it felt

  • He described both partners as more relaxed, while losses among friends and family tempered the new stage. “The worst part is losing friends and family to death”

Pickleball brought friends. Open time still made motivation harder.

Jun 2025 · Year 2.75

Life at the time

  • Pickleball and winter stays in Costa Rica were regular activities.
  • A new grandson added another reason to protect family time.

How it felt

  • Freedom reduced stress but sometimes reduced motivation too. “difficult at times to self-motivate”
  • She reminded herself that downtime was acceptable. “downtime is acceptable”

Less stress made room for more life. Choosing the right challenges took longer.

May 2025 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Workouts, part-time teaching, writing and relaxed afternoons shaped her days.
  • She deliberately arranged gym sessions, walks and coffees with friends.

How it felt

  • She felt calmer and had more energy for her children. “I am better rested”
  • She missed the automatic contact and shared problem-solving of work. “I miss having co-workers”

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