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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
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31–40 of 65 posts

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

Feb 2021Recalled in 2023

“An enormous weight was lifted from my shoulders.”

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

Life at the time

  • Walks, books, naps and golf lessons filled her first weeks.
  • Her husband unexpectedly left his job soon afterward.

How it felt

  • She felt elated and relieved of accumulated stress. “I was elated”
  • They could decompress together. “An enormous weight was lifted”
RecoveryCreativityPartners
ESI Retiree 40
Read original postesimoney.com

Travel opened the world. Deciding where home belonged proved harder.

Nov 2020 · Year 4

“I’m having difficulty figuring out where home is or should be.”

David · I Retired YoungRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Travel, skiing, cycling and blogging widened his interests.
  • They were testing a split between France and the UK.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed becoming more willing to try things. “a new mindset”
  • A settled sense of home remained elusive. “where home is or should be”
TravelHomePartners
David · I Retired Young
Read original postesimoney.com

Retirement, a startup and a calmer division of responsibilities

Oct 2020Recalled in 2021

“My overall stress level seems a lot lower now than before.”

ESI Millionaire 27Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He exited the startup in July, retaining advisory projects.
  • A six-day exercise routine had continued since January.

How it felt

  • He felt less stressed. “a lot lower”
  • The couple had found a comfortable division of roles. “a good balance”
WorkPartnersIdentity
ESI Millionaire 27
Read original postesimoney.com

Two homes, and two different weekday routines

Aug 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-11

“Love the island lifestyle.”

ESI Retiree 27Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He split retirement between northern and southern homes, reading and swimming while his wife continued working remotely.

How it felt

  • He loved the island lifestyle while recognizing the contrast with his wife's indoor working days. “Love the island lifestyle.”
HomePartnersContentment
ESI Retiree 27
Read original postesimoney.com

A smaller home requires room for each other

Jun 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-08

“We also can drive each other crazy at times”

ESI Retiree 25Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The couple moved from a house into a fifth-wheel trailer and managed belongings carefully in the smaller space.

How it felt

  • She liked having her husband around after retirement, but constant proximity sometimes required separate errands or outdoor tasks. “We also can drive each other crazy at times”
HomeSimplicityPartners
ESI Retiree 25
Read original postesimoney.com

Two different transitions led to a shared slower pace

May 2020

“our pace of life is much slower and more relaxed now”

ESI Retiree 21Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Gym sessions and household projects filled weekdays.
  • They stayed in different southern rentals each winter.

How it felt

  • Both valued fewer outside commitments. “much slower”
  • She missed workplace socializing more than he did. “more relaxed”
PartnersSlowing downRoutine
ESI Retiree 21
Read original postesimoney.com

He left the office, but a screen could still consume the day.

May 2020 · Year 0.67

“We both enjoy our own activities but we are very good together as well.”

ESI Retiree 24Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Markets, side-business tasks and exercise filled much of the day.
  • Tuesday outings and evening time with his wife were regular commitments.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed their mixture of separate and shared interests. “very good together”
  • He noticed how easily computer time expanded. “on the computer way too much”
RoutinePartnersFreedom
ESI Retiree 24
Read original postesimoney.com

An unexpected exit slowly became a retirement she chose

Jan 2020

“a dream come true”

Leanne / Cresting the HillRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Left an exhausting job while her husband continued earning enough for their bills.
  • Lived simply in a debt-free household and watched discretionary purchases.

How it felt

  • Found home a refuge shared with her husband and cats. “a dream come true”
  • Saw early retirement as relief from an unrewarding working life. “a haven and refuge”
HomeSlowing downPartners
Leanne / Cresting the Hill
Read original postcrestingthehill.com.au

Learning to slow down after a fast-moving career

Dec 2019Interview snapshot · published 2019

“My wife and I had a few spats as I learned how to downshift my 100 mph activity level.”

ESI Retiree 19Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from pharmaceuticals at 54, he kept limited consulting and made time for exercise, friends, volunteering and travel.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed retirement, but had to adjust to fading work contacts and a slower pace with his wife. “I learned how to downshift my 100 mph activity level.”
Slowing downFriendsPartners
ESI Retiree 19
Read original postesimoney.com

Teaching stayed; the career’s daily stress did not

Dec 2019

“There is something about walking amongst the students and feeling their energy that brings me peace that feeds my own energy if that is possible.”

Terri Webster SchrandtRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Continued as adjunct faculty and celebrated her birthday with family.
  • Used blogging relationships to develop writing and photography.

How it felt

  • Felt satisfied and energized by university teaching. “walking around campus brings me peace”
  • Appreciated freedom from the old job’s daily stress. “not spend my days dealing with stress”
PurposeCreativityPartners
Terri Webster Schrandt
Read original postsecondwindleisure.com

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