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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 44 posts

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

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

He planned an ambitious first year. Even a favorite hobby could become too much.

Jan 2024Recalled in 2025

“One of my primary motivations to retire at 52 was to get back on top of my health.”

ESI Retiree 57Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Three months in New Zealand tested life away from the office.
  • A painful back injury initially limited his walking.

How it felt

  • He felt no desire to return to commuting. “zero desire to go back”
  • Health was a major reason for making the change. “get back on top of my health”
TravelCuriosityBoundaries
ESI Retiree 57
Read original postesimoney.com

When the plan worked, the spreadsheet became less interesting

Oct 2023

“a level of optionality that feels liberating”

Mrs. FlamingoRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Reduced publishing and stopped trying to grow the blog.
  • Kept working while saving for family experiences rather than adding to the FI portfolio.

How it felt

  • Felt she had achieved the autonomy she wanted. “We Have Arrived”
  • Found beginner FI discussions less relevant to a satisfying everyday life. “a level of optionality that feels liberating”
FamilyFreedomBoundaries
Mrs. Flamingo
Read original postmoneyflamingo.com

He caught up on sleep. Decades later, he was still learning to leave blank days.

May 2023 · Year 21

“We love the slower pace, and we try to avoid obligating too much of our time.”

Doug NordmanRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Surfing, writing, repairs and slow travel filled a flexible life.
  • Grandparenting was changing the couple’s priorities again.

How it felt

  • He valued having time and attention for surprises. “We love the slower pace”
  • Overcommitting could still turn chosen activities into exhausting days. “leave blank days on the calendar”
Slowing downFamilyBoundaries
Doug Nordman
Read original postesimoney.com

He escaped burnout. A family and a farm rewrote the retirement he bought.

Oct 2022

“bit off more than I can chew”

Captain FIRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Used time after leaving flying to recover and care for his seriously ill mother.
  • Took on a growing collection of websites.

How it felt

  • Questioned the habit of equating financial progress with personal worth. “net wealth = self worth”
  • Felt that website commitments had grown beyond the workload he wanted. “bit off more than I can chew”
RecoveryFamilyBoundaries
Captain FI
Read original postcaptainfi.com

Keeping art from becoming another job

Apr 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-07

“It would be nice if my art became an income-generator, but I have to keep reminding myself not to turn it into a job.”

ESI Millionaire 316Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Newly retired from software development, he listed outdoor exercise, curiosity, art and travel among his retirement intentions.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed retirement's balance and wanted to resist turning a creative interest into another obligation. “I have to keep reminding myself not to turn it into a job.”
CreativityBoundariesIdentity
ESI Millionaire 316
Read original postesimoney.com

A trial retirement became permanent when family time won.

Apr 2022 · Year 1

“overprotective of my time”

ESI Retiree 34Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • School runs, long walks and children’s activities anchored his days.
  • He organized other commitments around family.

How it felt

  • Closing the work chapter proved easier than expected. “surprisingly easy”
  • He protected his time while still describing a retirement honeymoon. “overprotective of my time”
FamilyBoundariesFreedom
ESI Retiree 34
Read original postesimoney.com

A short job helped him leave. Learning to enjoy idleness took years.

Apr 2022 · Year 5

“at ease of doing nothing”

ESI Retiree 35Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Slow travel and flexible days replaced the old pace.
  • He limited social commitments and kept learning new practical skills.

How it felt

  • Doing nothing had gradually become comfortable. “at ease of doing nothing”
  • He valued time without anyone to impress. “no one to please”
Slowing downWorkBoundaries
ESI Retiree 35
Read original postesimoney.com

When the plan worked, the spreadsheet became less interesting

Dec 2021Recalled in 2022

“Writing helps me organise my thoughts and it’s probably one of my favourite pastimes at the moment.”

Mrs. FlamingoRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Celebrated the first semi-retirement anniversary alongside the second child’s first birthday.
  • Published six articles and worked individually with readers.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed writing as a way to organize her thoughts. “Our focus has definitely shifted”
  • Felt family and health deserved more attention than monthly financial tracking. “one of my favourite pastimes”
FamilyFreedomBoundaries
Mrs. Flamingo
Read original postmoneyflamingo.com

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