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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 62 posts

The world tour ended. Teaching gave the quieter life another dimension.

Jul 2021 · Year 3

“So, I’m doing this mostly for fun.”

Karsten / Big ERNRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Settled into a suburban home base with outdoor activities and time with his daughter.
  • Took on teaching and a limited remote economist role.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed a more relaxed routine after the earlier travel-heavy years. “It’s just a more relaxed life.”
  • Chose professional activity partly for interest and enjoyment. “I’m doing this mostly for fun.”
HomePurposeOutdoors
Karsten / Big ERN
Read original postearlyretirementnow.com

An involuntary exit opened an active life; a grandchild changed the map

Jun 2021Recalled in 2021

“Having a granddaughter changed everything”

ESI Millionaire 50Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He moved to Idaho and flew backcountry routes.
  • Walking and family visits joined a busy project list.

How it felt

  • He valued improved quality of life. “Almost everything is better”
  • Becoming a grandfather reshaped earlier plans. “Having a granddaughter changed everything”
OutdoorsFamilyHome
ESI Millionaire 50
Read original postesimoney.com

He left pharmacy. The ambition went into running and giving.

May 2021 · Year 4

“I spend more time with my wife just sitting and talking on the porch while we watch the birds.”

u/jasonlong1212Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Ran, participated in bird counts and spent more time at home during the pandemic.
  • Shared unhurried conversations with his wife on the porch. “I spend more time with my wife just sitting and talking on the porch”

How it felt

  • Appreciated ordinary time together.
  • Wanted to spend less time on the internet. “I want to do less internet.”
FamilyOutdoorsSlowing down
u/jasonlong1212
Read original postreddit.com

He kept the running group and shed most of the workweek.

Nov 2020 · Year 5

“I may stop my current consulting, it is getting a little boring now.”

ESI Retiree 28Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Running, tennis, fishing and shared meals shaped time with his wife.
  • Consulting and board service preserved professional and community connections.

How it felt

  • He felt content with the balance. “I’m content.”
  • Consulting was becoming less interesting, raising the question of another challenge. “a little boring now”
FriendsOutdoorsWork
ESI Retiree 28
Read original postesimoney.com

Fitness and family replace a target net-worth number

Oct 2020 · Year 3.5Interview snapshot · published 2021-03

“Now that we are retired, it is less about a specific number, and more about how we want to live out our lives.”

ESI Millionaire 226Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Three and a half years into his retirement, the couple traveled, spent time with family, kayaked, cycled and exercised regularly.

How it felt

  • Their focus had shifted from reaching a particular balance to deciding how to live their remaining years. “more about how we want to live out our lives.”
OutdoorsFamilyEnough
ESI Millionaire 226
Read original postesimoney.com

Leaving oil work led to outdoors and a lighter kind of work

Aug 2020

“It is pretty sweet for me and so relaxing.”

Chris · Mindful ExplorerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He opened the family shop for ten hours weekly.
  • Hiking, photography and local outings continued alongside it.

How it felt

  • The shop routine felt relaxed. “so relaxing”
  • He valued everyday contentment with his wife. “so content”
OutdoorsSimplicityWork
Chris · Mindful Explorer
Read original posttawcan.com

Property projects and unexpected friendships

Aug 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-12

“We consider ourselves ‘in, but not of, the world.’ I’m more content, and more importantly, so is my wife.”

ESI Millionaire 16 (son)Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The retired former project-management consultant worked on his property and formed new friendships.

How it felt

  • He reported greater contentment as he managed expectations and appreciated friendships without demanding a particular intensity. “I’m more content, and more importantly, so is my wife.”
FriendsContentmentOutdoors
ESI Millionaire 16 (son)
Read original postesimoney.com

A pandemic interrupts the first retirement itinerary

May 2020Interview snapshot · published 2020-06

“We are both enjoying the leisure time to work out more, do some hiking, volunteer work and projects around the house.”

ESI Millionaire 191Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After both retired in November, the couple enjoyed exercise, hiking, volunteering and home projects while travel was on hold.

How it felt

  • They were taking retirement as it came, with future travel and Census work still described as plans. “we are just taking it as it comes.”
ChangeOutdoorsRoutine
ESI Millionaire 191
Read original postesimoney.com

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