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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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241–250 of 541 posts

He quit the job. The laundry never ended.

Sep 2022 · Year 2.3

“Nothing about my retirement seems like a failure nor is there anything I regret.”

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

Life at the time

  • Parented a second child while repetitive household work filled the days.
  • Planned a remote automation contract and paid help with chores.

How it felt

  • Missed satisfying technical challenges while domestic tasks kept recurring. “But the laundry - it never stops.”
  • Did not see a return to work as evidence that retirement had failed. “Nothing about my retirement seems like a failure”
WorkParenthoodPurpose
u/enfier
Read original postreddit.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

It took a year to believe the vacation would not end.

Sep 2022 · Year 5

“I now understand that I lost valuable time “making sure” we were prepared.”

ESI Retiree 43Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel, exercise and a nearby circle of friends filled their weeks.
  • They made room for grandchildren and spontaneous RV trips.

How it felt

  • He valued being able to leave plans open. “we love retirement”
  • He regretted extra years spent making sure they were ready. “I lost valuable time”
RecoveryTravelFamily
ESI Retiree 43
Read original postesimoney.com

Financial independence gave their young family more ordinary adventures.

Sep 2022 · Year 3

“we’re able to create memories with people we love”

ESI Retiree 44Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Reading, exercise and property tasks mixed with family outdoor activities.
  • Weekday hikes and trips avoided weekend crowds.

How it felt

  • Availability helped strengthen family relationships. “present for family members”
  • He occasionally missed working with a team. “comradery and social aspects”
FamilyOutdoorsFreedom
ESI Retiree 44
Read original postesimoney.com

Returning to a business with a shorter week

Aug 2022Interview snapshot · published 2023-01

“I would say we have a balanced, healthy, enjoyable, and simple life.”

ESI Millionaire 347Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After an eighteen-month retirement, she returned to business; she and her husband worked three days a week and shared walks, exercise and movies.

How it felt

  • She described their life as enjoyable and simple, while a later business sale and another retirement remained plans. “we have a balanced, healthy, enjoyable, and simple life.”
WorkPartnersSimplicity
ESI Millionaire 347
Read original postesimoney.com

Full retirement follows a gradual reduction in work

Aug 2022Interview snapshot · published 2023-02

“I now have some hindsight…now retired, I can say I have a great relationship with my wife and grown kids.”

ESI Millionaire 350Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He moved from semi-retirement to full retirement in 2022, with golf, gym time, travel and volunteering among his intended activities.

How it felt

  • He valued the strong relationships with his wife and adult children that he had protected during his career. “I have a great relationship with my wife and grown kids.”
FamilyChangeRoutine
ESI Millionaire 350
Read original postesimoney.com

She rested first. In the second year, a creative business found its place.

Aug 2022 · Year 1.5

“This was the whole reason we saved and invested—so work could be optional.”

ESI Retiree 40Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • A new hobby business occupied several hours of her routine.
  • Exercise, cooking and dog walks kept time together in the day.

How it felt

  • The project felt creative and enjoyable despite not yet earning money. “a great creative outlet”
  • Her husband found a different balance through consulting. “work could be optional”
RecoveryCreativityPartners
ESI Retiree 40
Read original postesimoney.com

The deadlines disappeared quickly. The professional identity took longer.

Aug 2022 · Year 4

“It took a few years to be comfortable with saying that I am a retired person.”

ESI Retiree 41Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Walks, speaker-building and family visits filled a loose schedule.
  • A retirement association and old colleagues supplied some social contact.

How it felt

  • A retired identity had taken years to accept. “comfortable with saying”
  • The work itself was not missed, but shared accomplishments were. “sense of pride”
IdentityFamilyFriends
ESI Retiree 41
Read original postesimoney.com

Six quiet months came first. Then a long trail—and a grandchild—changed the pace.

Aug 2022 · Year 2

“Of course time with our family has been priceless.”

ESI Retiree 42Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After completing the trail, they moved near their grandchild.
  • Language study, coding, exercise and family visits structured his days.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed learning and greater control of his time. “time with our family has been priceless”
  • He wanted roots before investing in new local friendships. “my job was not me”
RecoveryFamilyHome
ESI Retiree 42
Read original postesimoney.com

Financial independence without a wish for empty days

Jul 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“Free time does not suit my personality.”

Post-FI Interviewee 018Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Both physicians continued practicing after reporting financial independence. The interviewee also pursued real-estate projects, cooking and a car hobby.

How it felt

  • He preferred staying occupied and did not see abundant free time as a goal. “I love to cook.”
PurposeRoutineCuriosity
Post-FI Interviewee 018
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

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