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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.

Age
Wealth
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21–30 of 62 posts

Exhaustion gave way to projects, cycling and a seasonal pace

2024Recalled in 2025

Life at the time

  • He left employment after considering a sabbatical.
  • The nine-to-five schedule ended.

How it felt

  • Work had exhausted him. “worn out”
  • He wanted a more substantial change than temporary leave. “wasn’t feeling it”

He spends little. His retirement is anything but simple.

Dec 2023 · Year 13

Life at the time

  • Replaced the rental property manager and dealt with vacancies and repair costs. “I did a major business restructure”
  • Hiked with a friend, played games and turned an underused pool area into a weights room. “I spent a lot of time hiking all over the Ozarks.”

How it felt

  • Was unhappy with how the rentals had been managed.
  • Continued choosing familiar interests while the business demanded attention.

The executive title is easier to lose than expected

Dec 2023Interview snapshot · published 2024-05

Life at the time

  • Following an earlier-than-expected corporate exit, he tried more biking, hiking, golf, pickleball and gym time.

How it felt

  • He was surprised by how little he missed the prestige of his former role and appreciated life without that title. “I am surprised how little I miss it”

Gardening replaces the paid day she could not let go

Sep 2023 · Year 5

Life at the time

  • Gardens and an allotment supplied much of the household’s fresh food.
  • She created a hospice kitchen garden and took occasional nursery work.

How it felt

  • She felt more financially secure after several unpredictable years. “I love my everyday”
  • She loved ordinary days and valued being available for family. “I think that’s enough.”

Travel and sport held their appeal as family needs continued

Apr 2023Recalled in 2023

Life at the time

  • He kept playing sport in the Bay Area.
  • The household helped pay his father’s assisted-living costs.

How it felt

  • He appreciated being healthy and retired. “glad to be retired”
  • His wife enjoyed performing music locally. “beautiful and friendly area”

A career break creates time for Europe and daily walks

Apr 2023Interview snapshot · published 2023-08

Life at the time

  • After leaving a general-manager role, she spent time with family in Europe and walked their dog each morning with her retired husband.

How it felt

  • She described improved balance and considered their financial goals achieved, while learning how to use their savings. “My work life balance is very good right now”

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

Jan 2023 · At departure

Life at the time

  • Gave notice at 33, planning more time for four children, outdoor activities and home projects.
  • Kept returning to work as an option while reassessing the household finances.

How it felt

  • Found it difficult to describe the departure as permanent retirement. “I can not mentally call it retirement”
  • Preferred thinking of it as a long break or mini-retirement. “I am calling it a mini-retirement or long sabbatical”

An advertising side business softened the jump into retirement

2023Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • He ran a small advertising business after the late-2022 layoff.
  • A few hours of weekly work generated bridge income.

How it felt

  • The reduced schedule helped him ease into retirement. “ease into retirement”
  • He hesitated for a month over buying running shoes. “difficult at first”

He planned more hikes. Retirement also made room for his mother.

2023 · Year 1

Life at the time

  • Handled a stepfather’s death and a mother’s move into assisted living.
  • Kept a routine of weekday gym visits, hiking and games.

How it felt

  • Was glad not to have stayed another year or taken contract work. “I'm so glad I didn't do either of those.”
  • Valued the availability to respond when family needed help. “work would have just distracted from the necessary stuff.”

Financial independence gave their young family more ordinary adventures.

Sep 2022 · Year 3

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”

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