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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 194 posts

Full days did not settle the identity question

2025Recalled in 2026

“I felt challenged and nourished physically despite the discomfort of pregnancy.”

u/sky-high-dragon-flyRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Organized toddler classes, playdates and parent groups.
  • Learned piano, exercised and read regularly during pregnancy.

How it felt

  • Felt physically nourished and free of job stress. “challenged and nourished physically”
  • Missed intellectual challenge and worried about being left behind professionally. “under-stimulated intellectually”
ParenthoodIdentity
u/sky-high-dragon-fly
Read original postreddit.com

Road trips became a way to keep people close

Dec 2024

“Three friends – a previous work colleague, a neighbor, and a friend that I had lost touch with – passed away in 2024.”

Janis / Retirementally ChallengedRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Took extended spring and summer road trips, including Canada.
  • Met blogging friends for hikes, concerts and long conversations.

How it felt

  • Delighted in the welcome from Vancouver Island friends. “We had a wonderful time”
  • Felt the loss of three friends as a reminder of life’s fragility. “A sad reminder of the frailty of life.”
TravelFriendsFamily
Janis / Retirementally Challenged
Read original postretirementallychallenged.com

He got fifty hours back. The pressure to use them followed him home.

Dec 2024 · Year 6

“I’m sure if I put more time into it, I could drive up the revenue, but I don’t want a full-time job.”

Jim / Route to RetireRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Lived in Panama, traveled by RV and returned to the United States.
  • Continued blogging while his wife did flexible substitute teaching.

How it felt

  • Remained grateful for retirement even with purpose still unresolved. “I wouldn’t trade my early retirement for anything.”
  • Did not want a conventional full-time job to become the answer. “I don’t want a full-time job.”
PurposeTravelFamily
Jim / Route to Retire
Read original postroutetoretire.com

He traded corporate pressure for practical help, family meals and long rides.

Dec 2024 · Year 3

“I love my freedom.”

ESI Retiree 55Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Coaching, cycling and community roles filled much of his time.
  • Preparing meals supported his working wife and school-age child.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed useful service with the freedom to come home afterward. “I love my freedom”
  • He felt less able to make large charitable gifts. “return home with my freedom”
FamilyPurposeOutdoors
ESI Retiree 55
Read original postesimoney.com

Self-employment makes room for two generations of care

Nov 2024Interview snapshot · published 2025-02

“I love working for myself and setting my own work schedule.”

ESI Millionaire 440Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After leaving state employment, he worked a self-directed week and helped manage family finances while the couple supported elderly parents.

How it felt

  • He valued being able to decline projects and regarded retirement as an ongoing search for a useful balance. “I can say no to projects I don’t want to do”
FamilyWorkBoundaries
ESI Millionaire 440
Read original postesimoney.com

The search for useful days eventually became an overflowing calendar

Oct 2024

“Now, 12 years after leaving work, I’m constantly busy with parenting, school functions, and social events.”

Sam Dogen / Financial SamuraiRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Parenting, school functions and social events now filled his calendar.
  • Continued writing a regular financial newsletter.

How it felt

  • No longer described retirement as boring. “constantly busy”
  • Sometimes felt overwhelmed by the amount going on. “overwhelming at times”
PurposeParenthoodRoutine
Sam Dogen / Financial Samurai
Read original postfinancialsamurai.com

Volunteering is more appealing than another consulting job

Oct 2024Interview snapshot · published 2025-01

“I am enjoying the freedom from stress so much”

ESI Millionaire 437Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Fully retired again in April 2024, she began volunteering at church and stayed near her aging parents.

How it felt

  • Relief from work stress made her reluctant to return to paid work unless finances required it. “I have started to volunteer with my church”
RecoveryPurposeFamily
ESI Millionaire 437
Read original postesimoney.com

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

Sep 2024 · Year 6

“we spend a week down there every month”

Fritz GilbertRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent a week each month near his granddaughter and continued RV trips and exercise. “we spend a week down there every month”
  • Formed a retirement discussion group and built community friendships.

How it felt

  • Valued making family time a recurring part of life.
  • Found friendships based on shared interests rather than wealth or former jobs. “We never talk about money”
FamilyFriendsOutdoors
Fritz Gilbert
Read original postboldin.com

She could fund a free life. Parenthood still demanded almost everything.

Sep 2024

“It wasn’t until 3 months after my son was born that I started to enjoy motherhood and from what I heard, that’s pretty early.”

FIRECrackerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent the first year parenting with both adults available at home.
  • Continued traveling while adapting to feeding, mobility and other childcare demands.

How it felt

  • Found parenting exhausting even with financial independence. “it’s still a struggle.”
  • Also described growing enjoyment and affection as her child developed. “The reward is the process of parenting itself.”
ParenthoodFamilyChange
FI/RECracker
Read original postmillennial-revolution.com

Leaving the office made space for a daughter’s firsts

Sep 2024 · Year 3

“Not that it’s of any use in my “career” but still I feel proud of my achievement.”

u/Witty-Strain104Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Finished a previously abandoned PhD.
  • Parenthood filled days; watched the daughter’s first sounds, crawling and steps.

How it felt

  • Felt proud of completing the doctorate. “I feel proud of my achievement”
  • The close bond with the daughter made the decision worthwhile. “makes it all worth it”
ParenthoodFreedom
u/Witty-Strain104
Read original postreddit.com

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