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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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411–420 of 541 posts

Family and projects filled the hours. Years later, the pace still belonged to him.

Jun 2019 · Year 1

“I did not have a single boring day”

re-ynd · Retired at 37Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Family time and exercise occupied much of the day.
  • Home automation, gardening systems and writing filled his project hours.

How it felt

  • Time with his daughter was the best part of the day. “the last one year has been blissful”
  • He felt very happy, while recognizing that his finances had not faced a bad market cycle. “I did not have a single boring day”
FamilyCreativityRoutine
re-ynd · Retired at 37
Read original postretired.re-ynd.com

Leaving was celebration enough. A slower life still needed friends.

Jun 2019 · Year 1

“Shifting from saving to spending still feels a bit unnatural.”

ESI Retiree 15Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Art, museums and reading became part of a loose daily rhythm.
  • She looked for ways to travel with other people.

How it felt

  • She felt healthier and more herself. “my authentic self”
  • Making friends and spending savings still required adjustment. “still feels a bit unnatural”
RecoveryCreativityFriends
ESI Retiree 15
Read original postesimoney.com

Loving freedom and still feeling unsettled

Jun 2019Interview snapshot · published 2019

“I do feel unsettled at times.”

ESI Retiree 14Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She attended classes and theater, met friends and learned canasta, while her husband's work schedule limited longer trips.

How it felt

  • She loved not working but sometimes felt uncertain about purpose; talking through the transition had helped. “I do feel unsettled at times.”
IdentityPartnersCuriosity
ESI Retiree 14
Read original postesimoney.com

She left her title behind. Time together mattered more as health changed.

Jun 2019 · Year 2

“The decline in my partner’s health was the biggest “bad” surprise”

ESI Retiree 13Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Exercise, cooking, gardening and a book club filled ordinary days.
  • She made time for friendships and caring for her partner.

How it felt

  • His declining health was an unwelcome surprise. “biggest ‘bad’ surprise”
  • Being free to care for him felt especially valuable. “so happy”
IdentityFamilyRoutine
ESI Retiree 13
Read original postesimoney.com

An empty calendar felt directionless. Useful commitments gradually brought him back.

Jun 2019 · Year 2

“I’m still alone quite a bit.”

ESI Retiree 12Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Local committees, triathlon training and beekeeping supplied variety.
  • Occasional consulting and ski instruction retained useful skills.

How it felt

  • Experimenting helped him find activities that fit. “things began to click”
  • He still spent more time alone than he wanted. “I’m still alone quite a bit.”
PurposeRoutineFriends
ESI Retiree 12
Read original postesimoney.com

Part-time engineering is an experiment in letting go

Jun 2019Interview snapshot · published 2019

“My current semi-retirement is an experiment of sorts.”

ESI Millionaire 133Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He reduced engineering and consulting work, leaving time for family, exercise, travel and developing interests beyond his career.

How it felt

  • He valued control of his schedule but found it difficult to build new friendships and avoid defaulting to work. “My current semi-retirement is an experiment of sorts.”
IdentityFriendsWork
ESI Millionaire 133
Read original postesimoney.com

A long retirement became a community life, with room for changing health.

May 2019 · Year 16

“Retirement has been busy and satisfying.”

ESI Retiree 11Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Community clubs, neighbors and volunteering filled their days after a move.
  • Most travel centered on children and grandchildren.

How it felt

  • Retirement remained busy and satisfying. “busy and satisfying”
  • Medical appointments took more time as they aged. “new friends”
HomeFriendsFamily
ESI Retiree 11
Read original postesimoney.com

Flying and service gave an unexpectedly early exit direction

May 2019

“Of interest, I am really surprised how quickly the time passes in retirement!”

ESI Retiree 10Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Runs, voluntary work and legislative meetings structured days.
  • Flying and short road trips supplied recreation.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed choosing his own schedule. “doing what I want”
  • The speed of passing retirement time surprised him. “time passes”
PurposeFreedomRoutine
ESI Retiree 10
Read original postesimoney.com

Family time arrived quickly; a new sense of purpose took longer

May 2019

“My purpose has been redefined and it feels great.”

Phia & Mike · Freedom101Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Mike began a deliberate health routine.
  • Running with friends and writing replaced some aimless browsing.

How it felt

  • He felt better after redirecting his attention from money. “feels great”
  • Reconnecting with others made the change rewarding. “enjoying the process”
PurposeParenthoodRoutine
Phia & Mike · Freedom101
Read original postfreedom101.ca

A cardiac emergency changed the timetable. Freedom stayed deliberately flexible.

May 2019 · Year 2

“The everyday workday stress is absolutely gone.”

ESI Retiree 8Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Home projects and bass guitar joined visits with adult children.
  • Travel became a priority while mobility allowed it.

How it felt

  • Everyday work stress had disappeared. “stress is absolutely gone”
  • He still missed colleagues and wanted a clearer sense of purpose. “a more definite purpose”
ChangeFamilyBoundaries
ESI Retiree 8
Read original postesimoney.com

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