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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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31–40 of 65 posts

The budget changed. So did the person living on it.

2023 · Year 1.5

“Glad I leanFIREd, as I have grown a lot and realized a lot about myself.”

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

Life at the time

  • Took classes, cooked, played tennis and enjoyed unhurried days after leaving a burned-out career.
  • Faced market losses and a rejected job application while keeping a future return open.

How it felt

  • Described substantial personal growth during the time away. “I have grown a lot and realized a lot about myself.”
  • Had decided that continued accumulation was not worth staying in the old situation. “I wanted to keep piling up the cash, but it wasn't worth it.”
RecoveryCuriosityChange
u/peppers_
Read original postreddit.com

They retired to travel the world. Then family life rewrote the plan.

Oct 2022 · Year 10

“By year 3, I didn’t think about it at all.”

Jeremy Jacobson · Go Curry CrackerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Traveled less after the family grew.
  • Reported that many friendships formed through work had not stayed close.

How it felt

  • Did not see retirement as a guarantee of happiness. “Retirement doesn’t guarantee happiness”
  • Found that thoughts of work faded gradually, rather than disappearing on the last day. “By year 3, I didn’t think about it at all.”
RecoveryFriendsChange
Jeremy Jacobson · Go Curry Cracker
Read original postgocurrycracker.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

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

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

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

Travel brought joy. Being available for a sick friend made the freedom matter differently.

Jul 2022Recalled in 2023

“I have intense gratitude about our position and I’m so glad to not be chained to my desk any longer.”

ESI Retiree 52Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They planned trips and used quieter weekday hours for errands and exercise.
  • She allowed herself slower Monday mornings.

How it felt

  • Leaving work felt euphoric after the uncertain waiting period. “intense gratitude”
  • She noticed less physical discomfort and deep gratitude. “not be chained to my desk”
RecoveryFriendsPurpose
ESI Retiree 52
Read original postesimoney.com

Reducing hours while allowing time to recharge

Oct 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021

“When I am bored, I give myself permission to be non-productive for a while.”

Post-FI Interviewee 004Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • This financially independent physician was handing over responsibilities and reducing work hours, alongside cooking, games, woodworking and exercise.

How it felt

  • He still enjoyed work and gave himself permission to rest; full retirement remained ahead. “I give myself permission to be non-productive for a while.”
Slowing downRecoveryWork
Post-FI Interviewee 004
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

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

Oct 2021 · Year 1

“I feel more fulfilled, happier and calmer than ever before.”

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

Life at the time

  • Explored nearby nature and spent time with family after the pandemic canceled international travel.
  • Took almost a year to start sleeping well and waking rested.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed the open time without missing the job or feeling bored. “I haven’t had one SECOND of thinking ‘I’m bored.’”
  • Felt calmer and more curious as energy returned. “I have my curiosity and love of life back.”
RecoveryCuriosityFriends
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

Full retirement starts with a backlog of responsibilities

Sep 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021

“Now that we are getting caught up it’s becoming less stressful.”

ESI Retiree 31Read original post (opens in a new tab)

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.”
RoutineFamilyRecovery
ESI Retiree 31
Read original postesimoney.com

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