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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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51–60 of 105 posts

Money settled before identity and friendship did

2022 · Year 1Recalled in 2024

“Shifting from saving to spending was a little nerve wracking the first year, but I got used to it as my portfolio has actually gone up thanks to the market.”

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

Life at the time

  • Began sustained foreign-language study.
  • Kept first-year spending below an already reduced budget.

How it felt

  • Felt uneasy switching from saving to spending. “a little nerve wracking”
  • Decompression from a career took more than a year. “well over a year”
IdentityFriends
u/wolvesbelonginak
Read original postreddit.com

His focus shifted from the portfolio to people, learning and longer trips.

2022

“We like the freedom to choose what we want do and when.”

SoccerRulesRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Structured mornings and open afternoons balanced exercise and volunteering.
  • Health-club friendships and weekly dates supported life together.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed choosing his activities. “freedom to choose”
  • A crowded calendar left less time for reading than he wanted. “too much on my plate”
PurposeTravelFriends
SoccerRules
Read original postesimoney.com

Redundancy gave way to a life she enjoyed more than expected

Nov 2021

“I’m happy with where I’m at now.”

Deb / Deb’s WorldRead original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
ChangeFriendsOutdoors
Deb / Deb’s World
Read original postdebs-world.com

Travel with friends gave way to a smaller home and local ties

Nov 2021

“I don’t miss the stress or environment though.”

PoF Post-FI 7Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • She moved from a large suburban house into a condo.
  • Community events and visiting her mother occupied her time.

How it felt

  • She was excited to help coordinate a music festival. “totally excited”
  • She missed career problem-solving but welcomed freedom from its stress. “glad that I have moved on”
HomeFriendsPurpose
PoF Post-FI 7
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

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

Nov 2021

“Instead of lifestyle inflation which doesn’t bring me extra happiness, I’d rather spend it on friends.”

FIRECrackerRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Kept everyday spending restrained despite a larger portfolio.
  • Preferred directing extra money toward friends and experiences.

How it felt

  • Still enjoyed optimizing expenses. “Optimizing is Fun for me”
  • Saw little appeal in accumulating possessions instead of supporting relationships. “I’d rather spend it on friends.”
SimplicityMoneyFriends
FI/RECracker
Read original postmillennial-revolution.com

She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.

Oct 2021 · Year 1

“I feel more fulfilled, happier and calmer than ever before.”

A Purple LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Explored nearby nature and spent time with family after the pandemic canceled international travel.
  • Took almost a year to start sleeping well and waking rested.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed the open time without missing the job or feeling bored. “I haven’t had one SECOND of thinking ‘I’m bored.’”
  • Felt calmer and more curious as energy returned. “I have my curiosity and love of life back.”
RecoveryCuriosityFriends
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

An agency career ends, and the activity list grows

Oct 2021 · Year 5Interview snapshot · published 2022-04

“Work 0%, Life 100%.”

ESI Millionaire 300Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring at 49, he filled days with cycling, golf, hiking, book clubs, photography, home improvements and socializing.

How it felt

  • He felt positive about early retirement and had little desire to increase wealth further. “I have no great desire or need to increase my wealth.”
CreativityFriendsEnough
ESI Millionaire 300
Read original postesimoney.com

He had built an organization. Leaving gave him time to look after himself.

Sep 2021 · Year 1

“Mostly it feels like a huge relief to not have such stress.”

ESI Retiree 32Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Walking, golf and cooking occupied much of his week.
  • He deliberately arranged family calls and activities with friends.

How it felt

  • Mentoring remained satisfying at a smaller scale. “very satisfying”
  • He guarded a relaxed calendar and looked forward to his wife joining him. “a huge relief”
RecoveryPurposeFriends
ESI Retiree 32
Read original postesimoney.com

A slower life arrived after the next-business itch

Jun 2021 · At departureRecalled in 2025

“itching to start something new”

u/Simple-LifeCCRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Retired in June to travel, camp and teach the teenagers to drive.
  • Spent roughly the first year reading and exploring a possible new venture.

How it felt

  • Felt an itch to start something new. “itching to start something new”
  • Wanted another goal while her husband preferred a slower pace. “always work towards something”
Slowing downFriends
u/Simple-LifeCC
Read original postreddit.com

She quit her career. Years later, she quit performing retirement.

Mar 2021

“I’ve learned to care a lot less about the approval of others, and I don’t think that’ll ever go back.”

Tanja Hester · Our Next LifeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Wrote another book and established a garden during pandemic isolation.
  • Went without planned travel and ordinary contact with friends and family.

How it felt

  • Became more focused on seeing loved ones than on going somewhere new. “I can’t wait until I can hug my dad.”
  • Felt less need for other people’s approval. “I’ve learned to care a lot less about the approval of others”
FamilyFriendsSimplicity
Tanja Hester · Our Next Life
Read original postournextlife.com

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