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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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301–310 of 542 posts

Outdoor freedom brings a winter hobby question

Oct 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021

Life at the time

  • A recently retired physician spent time cycling, golfing and hiking. Pandemic restrictions limited travel and volunteering, while the couple negotiated different appetites for trips.

How it felt

  • He did not miss work but was still learning how to fill the colder months. “I need a hobby for the indoors.”

RV life lasts longer than the original itinerary

Oct 2021Interview snapshot · published 2022-03

Life at the time

  • The retired couple extended their RV travels during the pandemic; he read and played guitar while they considered overseas destinations.

How it felt

  • He described their travel-focused life enthusiastically, despite needing to revise the timing of the next move. “The RVing part of this plan was extended for another 9 months due to COVID.”

An agency career ends, and the activity list grows

Oct 2021 · Year 5Interview snapshot · published 2022-04

Life at the time

  • After retiring at 49, he filled days with cycling, golf, hiking, book clubs, photography, home improvements and socializing.

How it felt

  • He felt positive about early retirement and had little desire to increase wealth further. “I have no great desire or need to increase my wealth.”

Leaving the always-on director role

Oct 2021Interview snapshot · published 2022-04

Life at the time

  • After a corporate reorganization, he left engineering leadership and devoted attention to investing, while considering more volunteering.

How it felt

  • He welcomed the improved balance and remained open to interesting work rather than declaring every future job off limits. “Though if something interesting comes along I will think about.”

Part-time travel helped a physician find his place at home

Sep 2021

Life at the time

  • In Mexico, he taught and graded his teenagers’ classes.
  • Regular meetups with local and expat families built connections.

How it felt

  • He no longer missed work. “don’t miss work at all”
  • He preferred retirement after finding a place in family life. “prefer retired life”

Full retirement starts with a backlog of responsibilities

Sep 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021

Life at the time

  • After earlier teaching and programming work, full retirement brought family care, household repairs, exercise and reading.

How it felt

  • The first months felt more hectic than employment, but getting caught up reduced the stress. “it’s becoming less stressful.”

The open road gave way to a quiet home—and firmer boundaries.

Sep 2021

Life at the time

  • Settled into an 800-square-foot desert home, with dog walks and morning writing.
  • Put computers away at 4 p.m. to protect shared time.

How it felt

  • Had come to appreciate the quiet and solitude. “We’ve come to appreciate the solitude.”
  • Liked leaving afternoons open instead of filling the whole day with commitments. “The afternoon is a free-for-all.”

He left surgery for adventure. Grandchildren changed the destination.

Sep 2021

Life at the time

  • His wife temporarily returned to work.
  • The assignment reduced their shared flexibility for family visits and travel.

How it felt

  • Missed the routine they had enjoyed when both were retired. “I like my retired life better.”
  • Also appreciated her enthusiasm for helping through the temporary role. “It’s fun to see her excited about helping out.”

Consulting becomes something to select

Sep 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-10

Life at the time

  • In early retirement, he accepted selected consulting opportunities and considered spending part of the year in Europe.

How it felt

  • He described good work-life balance and enjoyment of retirement; the European move remained conditional on affordability. “am enjoying early retirement.”

Birdwatching and pickleball while travel waits

Sep 2021Interview snapshot · published 2022-02

Life at the time

  • After retiring in June 2021, he and his wife took up birdwatching and pickleball while pandemic conditions constrained travel.

How it felt

  • He remained eager for travel and volunteering, but acknowledged that their activities were still restricted. “we are still limited in our activities.”

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