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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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41–50 of 91 posts

A health crisis changed the timetable for life on the road

Dec 2022

Life at the time

  • The previous year combined five months working, one farm sitting and six travelling.
  • Kept two rental properties and continued reinvesting share dividends.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed working hard for a few months between trips. “We actually enjoy”
  • Wanted a lasting balance of paid work and exploration. “a balance that works for us”

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

Oct 2022 · Year 10

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.”

Full retirement follows a gradual reduction in work

Aug 2022Interview snapshot · published 2023-02

Life at the time

  • He moved from semi-retirement to full retirement in 2022, with golf, gym time, travel and volunteering among his intended activities.

How it felt

  • He valued the strong relationships with his wife and adult children that he had protected during his career. “I have a great relationship with my wife and grown kids.”

He found purpose in writing. Then made room for life beyond the blog.

Jun 2022 · Year 4

Life at the time

  • Reduced writing as other interests deserved more space.
  • Continued looking for useful ways to help others.

How it felt

  • Expected his sense of purpose to keep changing. “Your Purpose will evolve”
  • Wanted the activities he chose to feel meaningful. “Something that matters.”

A trial in Mexico grew into a home and a different health routine

May 2022

Life at the time

  • They used local clinicians and handled routine costs themselves.
  • Learned Spanish and helpful residents eased administrative problems.

How it felt

  • They were satisfied with care and its timeliness. “as good as, or better”
  • They felt unusual among peers who preferred seasonal stays. “pretty much alone”

A retirement experiment leads back to enjoyable work

May 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-09

Life at the time

  • After trying a conventional retirement, he returned to selected business activities, especially marketing, that he regarded as passion projects.

How it felt

  • He found working retirement more satisfying than the version he had imagined and tried earlier. “I really enjoy my life.”

The pandemic brings the retirement date forward

May 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-10

Life at the time

  • Both left work in late 2021, earlier than they otherwise expected, and began spending more time on preferred activities and loved ones.

How it felt

  • She welcomed release from constant workplace demands and valued their healthy years together. “we don’t have to balance any longer”

He enjoyed becoming less important. Moving away from friends was the harder change.

Apr 2022Recalled in 2025

Life at the time

  • Both left work, sold their longtime home and moved within seven months.
  • A brief decompression preceded a busy new routine.

How it felt

  • The final work departure was unexpectedly emotional. “emotionally draining”
  • He later wondered whether the changes should have been spaced out. “a longer window”

National parks after the automotive career

Apr 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022-08

Life at the time

  • Retired since 2017, he pursued automotive interests and flexible travel with his wife, including visits to several national parks.

How it felt

  • Looking back, he wished he had given life outside work more attention before retirement. “how much more focus on life I should have paid attention to”

Redundancy gave way to a life she enjoyed more than expected

Nov 2021

Life at the time

  • Rode her e-bike and volunteered as a support rider for community trike outings.
  • Joined two book clubs, kept blogging and helped with grandchildren when possible.

How it felt

  • Felt happy with her present life and rarely bored. “I’m happy with where I’m at now.”
  • Still recognized the painful feeling of not being enough that redundancy had triggered. “that awful time”

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