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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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71–80 of 541 posts

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

Oct 2025 · Year 5

Life at the time

  • Signed an apartment lease in upstate New York and bought a car.
  • Planned to keep traveling while using the apartment as a home base.

How it felt

  • Missing ordinary time with her partner’s family helped prompt the move. “the FOMO of not being around my Partner’s family got to us.”
  • Was happy with the decision, despite the added cost of setting up a home. “But I’m happy with our decision”

A stunned last workday became five months of slow travel

Oct 2025 · Year 1.5

Life at the time

  • Nears the end of five months exploring Britain and Ireland from monthly rentals.
  • Reads, cooks, hikes and plays tennis, using flexible time for slower travel.

How it felt

  • Feels freer and happier than she had imagined. “Still grateful, still in disbelief.”
  • Describes stronger marriage and continued gratitude without boredom. “My marriage is even stronger”

The mortgage ended and spending became more generous

Oct 2025Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • They increased international travel and upgraded hotels.
  • They made their final mortgage payment.

How it felt

  • He felt fortunate to have good health. “Free at last!”
  • Spending for enjoyment no longer troubled him. “not afraid to spend”

A leisurely breakfast after the early workout

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-02

Life at the time

  • With both retired, the couple exercised early, ate slowly, read, socialized and traveled together.

How it felt

  • He reported no boredom and no desire to return to a job, while becoming more willing to spend. “I’m already living them!”

A little coaching alongside a long-awaited retirement

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-02

Life at the time

  • After retirement, she kept a few hours of online coaching each week, with travel central to the couple's shared plans.

How it felt

  • She enjoyed the balance of structure and pleasure and wanted to make the most of healthy years. “I continue to do online coaching a few hours per week.”

The second retirement has more people and purpose in it

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-03

Life at the time

  • After returning to work following a first retirement attempt, she retired again in 2024 and built weekly food-bank, library and walking commitments.

How it felt

  • She expected this attempt to last because she had found fulfilling activities, though spending remained an adjustment. “It is a big adjustment to spend money”

Time to decompress after years of being always available

Oct 2025Interview snapshot · published 2026-03

Life at the time

  • She retired in summer 2025 after her husband had already left corporate work and taken on most household responsibilities.

How it felt

  • She was excited to control her time and recover from the demands of managing global teams. “very excited to own my own time now”

Exhaustion gave way to projects, cycling and a seasonal pace

Sep 2025

Life at the time

  • Walks, cycle rides and social time filled more days.
  • The previous winter included house projects and investment software.

How it felt

  • He reported greater happiness and energy. “everything is happier”
  • Choosing his own tasks kept boredom away. “quite the opposite”

Learning to retire, then learning to leave a beloved project

Sep 2025

Life at the time

  • She paused blogging to support her son after a serious cycling accident.
  • After returning home, she announced the end of regular blog writing.

How it felt

  • She felt grateful for her son’s recovery and support around him. “ready for something new”
  • Unexpectedly deep blogging friendships made the decade feel valuable. “deep and lasting friendships”

One partner chooses ranch life; the other studies law

Sep 2025Interview snapshot · published 2025-12

Life at the time

  • After military retirement, he maintained their rural property while she studied law, clerked and joined a private law firm.

How it felt

  • She needed intellectual challenge while he was content with physical activity; shared travel and family visits connected their different routines. “we have all the individual and team activities we need.”

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