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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 49 posts

Three years to stop needing a productive outcome

Oct 2025 · Year 3

“I still agree, but I was positively surprised to find I can feel truly free and not be driven by accomplishing successful stuff anymore.”

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

Life at the time

  • Spends mornings on quiet time, stretching and exercise before lunch with his wife.
  • Dropped a repetitive AI project while keeping games, friends and small experiments.

How it felt

  • Feels freer without needing each interest to succeed. “I don't even need a mission”
  • Is surprised that the pressure to accomplish has eased. “feel truly free”
Slowing downFreedom
u/buttrichmon
Read original postreddit.com

A slower life arrived after the next-business itch

Oct 2025 · Year 4

“settled down and into a slower life”

u/Simple-LifeCCRead original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
Slowing downFriends
u/Simple-LifeCC
Read original postreddit.com

Leaving the last job makes room for both races and rest

Jul 2025

“I’ll be honest, when I out-processed and was escorted out it was a pretty emotional day.”

Dave · Accidental FIRERead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Voluntary early retirement brought immediate pension payments and continued health coverage.
  • A graphic design business remained a chosen activity.

How it felt

  • Leaving a workplace of nearly three decades felt emotional and bittersweet. “a pretty emotional day”
  • He reported no regret about leaving and excitement for what followed. “I couldn’t be more proud”
OutdoorsSlowing downIdentity
Dave · Accidental FI/RE
Read original postaccidentalfire.com

He escaped Sunday-night dread. A decade later, even freedom needed downtime.

Mar 2025

“Some weeks we’re here at home in Raleigh relaxing and catching up with family and friends.”

Justin McCurry · Root of GoodRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Combined family travel, tax preparation and plans for more trips.
  • Alternated stretches at home with further adventures.

How it felt

  • Wanted to explore while travel remained enjoyable. “We can always rest when we’re ‘old’!”
  • Also valued time at home to rest and catch up with family and friends. “Some weeks we’re here at home in Raleigh relaxing and catching up with family and friends.”
TravelSlowing downRoutine
Justin McCurry · Root of Good
Read original postrootofgood.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

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

Aug 2024 · Year 6

“Travelling nonstop was starting to feel like a chore, so I just stayed home in Texas for several months.”

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

Life at the time

  • Paused constant travel for time with parents, walks, exercise and volunteering.
  • Moved temporarily to Tulsa while keeping his Texas home.

How it felt

  • Travel had begun to feel like another chore. “Travelling nonstop was starting to feel like a chore”
  • Wanted a quieter everyday setting and a break from crowding at home. “I just needed a break from that place.”
Travel fatigueFamilySlowing down
u/ihasanemail
Read original postreddit.com

He retired with $2.7m. Three years later, he wanted back in.

Feb 2024 · Year 1

“Feeling of what's next lingers but giving myself time to enjoy slowing down has been a gift.”

u/outdoorfire38Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Made breakfast, walked children to school and fitted exercise and projects around family.
  • Spent more than expected while household net worth also increased.

How it felt

  • Felt busy but less rushed, with more room for the people and activities he valued. “It is nice to not be in a rush.”
  • Still wondered what the next challenge might be. “Feeling of what's next lingers”
RoutineFamilyOutdoors
u/outdoorfire38
Read original postreddit.com

She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.

Oct 2023 · Year 3

“I planned less things to do and enjoyed a good book if that’s what I felt like doing instead.”

A Purple LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Planned fewer outings, slept longer when needed and made room for reading. “I planned less things to do and enjoyed a good book”
  • Still spent more than three months abroad, including Singapore and Australia.

How it felt

  • Recognized that an overfull schedule could exhaust her even without a job. “And that just won’t do in retirement!”
  • Valued quiet time alongside travel, rather than treating every possibility as an obligation.
Slowing downTravelPartners
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.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

They left intense work for island time, then spent decades exploring.

Oct 2022 · Year 31

“We learned a lot, but that was sometimes difficult, confusing and unexpected to go through.”

Billy & Akaisha KaderliRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Their 2022 days in Chapala included markets, art and leisurely meals.
  • Travel and keeping in touch with far-flung friends remained central.

How it felt

  • They valued independence and a simpler daily life. “value our independence greatly”
  • They wished they had anticipated the original social pushback. “difficult, confusing and unexpected”
TravelSlowing downHome
Billy & Akaisha Kaderli
Read original postesimoney.com

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