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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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61–70 of 95 posts

A market shock tested confidence; beach life made the trade worthwhile

Aug 2021Recalled in 2021

“the freedom and control I have over my time is unbelievable.”

Stop Ironing ShirtsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Life near the beach included longer winter Hawaii trips.
  • Optional consulting supplied intellectual stimulation.

How it felt

  • Monthly withdrawals had finally begun to feel comfortable. “Life is amazing”
  • He valued freedom while sometimes envying former peers’ promotions. “moments of FOMO”
MoneyFreedomIdentity
Stop Ironing Shirts
Read original postesimoney.com

Family freedom survives, but side businesses grow too large

Jun 2021

“Early Retirement is not a holy grail stress reliever…for me at least.”

Accidentally RetiredRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Afternoons included bike rides, hikes and golf with his children.
  • Morning journaling helped him develop a writing habit.

How it felt

  • He did not miss the title or corporate demands. “I don’t miss the title.”
  • Family conflict and money decisions still caused stress alongside greater happiness. “I wouldn’t change it for the world”
ParenthoodFreedomBoundaries
Accidentally Retired
Read original postaccidentallyretired.com

Projects without deadlines leave room for play

Jun 2021Interview snapshot · published 2021-07

“The remaining 2/3rds are for unstructured and planned fun.”

ESI Millionaire 270Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He divided retirement between personally chosen projects and unstructured fun, learning welding and experimenting with electronics and programming.

How it felt

  • He welcomed autonomy and deliberately avoided recreating the deadline-driven structure of employment. “The remaining 2/3rds are for unstructured and planned fun.”
RoutineCreativityFreedom
ESI Millionaire 270
Read original postesimoney.com

A trial retirement became permanent when family time won.

Mar 2021Journal shared in 2022

“funny that I feel just as busy as when I was working.”

ESI Retiree 34Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He turned down one consulting offer while considering another.
  • A family holiday was free of his usual work calls.

How it felt

  • He did not miss the job itself. “Don’t miss work at all”
  • Explaining his new status to friends felt awkward. “a weird dynamic”
FamilyBoundariesFreedom
ESI Retiree 34
Read original postesimoney.com

From achievement lists to a life that stays in balance

Oct 2020 · At departureRecalled in 2024

“worked with daily todo lists to give myself a sense of achievement”

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

Life at the time

  • Used daily to-do lists after leaving work.
  • Read deeply in philosophy while restricting some gaming ambitions.

How it felt

  • Wanted activities to provide a sense of achievement. “sense of achievement”
  • Had no temptation to return to a job. “never tempted to go back to work”
RoutineFreedom
u/JohnRezzi
Read original postreddit.com

Slow travel felt right. A return to paid writing helped her value freedom again.

Aug 2020

“We have absolutely fallen in love with the slow travel lifestyle.”

Michelle · Fire and WideRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Longer stays replaced hurried vacations.
  • Weekday exercise and healthier routines became easier to sustain.

How it felt

  • She enjoyed exploring places at a slower pace. “slow travel lifestyle”
  • Having time made ordinary choices feel different. “having time makes”
TravelFreedomWork
Michelle · Fire and Wide
Read original postfireandwide.com

He protected the weekends—and discovered he wanted to protect the weekdays too.

Jun 2020 · Year 0.5

“After only 3 months of freedom I was hooked on it.”

ESI Retiree 23Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He kept chores on weekdays so weekends remained special.
  • Consulting, coaching and teaching plans met the disruption of COVID-19.

How it felt

  • Even appealing assignments competed with his new freedom. “I was hooked on it”
  • He missed colleagues occasionally but felt no regret about leaving. “never had any second thoughts”
FreedomBoundariesRoutine
ESI Retiree 23
Read original postesimoney.com

He already had enough. It took a second job to recognize the choice.

Jun 2020 · Year 2

“really enjoy”

ESI Retiree 22Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Exercise, nonprofit work and reading occupied much of the school day.
  • He had published his book and was speaking at conferences.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed the growing contribution. “really enjoy”
  • He regretted spending additional years in work he found unfulfilling. “unfulfilling work”
PurposeWorkFreedom
ESI Retiree 22
Read original postesimoney.com

He left the office, but a screen could still consume the day.

May 2020 · Year 0.67

“We both enjoy our own activities but we are very good together as well.”

ESI Retiree 24Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Markets, side-business tasks and exercise filled much of the day.
  • Tuesday outings and evening time with his wife were regular commitments.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed their mixture of separate and shared interests. “very good together”
  • He noticed how easily computer time expanded. “on the computer way too much”
RoutinePartnersFreedom
ESI Retiree 24
Read original postesimoney.com

A market shock tested confidence; beach life made the trade worthwhile

Mar 2020Recalled in 2021

“It was a bit frustrating watching investors in these tech companies gloat about outsized gains.”

Stop Ironing ShirtsRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He used cash and bonds to buy falling stocks.
  • His value-heavy holdings recovered more slowly than technology stocks.

How it felt

  • The market decline briefly shook his confidence. “briefly unnerving”
  • Watching other investors’ gains was frustrating. “a bit frustrating”
MoneyFreedomIdentity
Stop Ironing Shirts
Read original postesimoney.com

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