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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.

Age
Wealth
Years
Posts
71–80 of 177 posts

An open-ended road trip was only the beginning.

May 2023 · Year 2

“still sleep well at night”

ESI Retiree 47Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Volunteer trips included multiweek stays and new friendships.
  • They also helped coordinate parents’ care and watched their grandson.

How it felt

  • Spontaneous outings remained a pleasure. “enjoy the spontaneity”
  • Reduced investment distributions tested the income plan without undoing their sense of security. “still sleep well at night”
TravelPurposeFamily
ESI Retiree 47
Read original postesimoney.com

Freedom arrived first. Meaningful part-time work was still taking shape.

May 2023 · Year 2

“I most enjoy the freedom of time”

ESI Retiree 48Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Reading, exercise, outdoor activities and home projects filled ordinary days.
  • Disaster-relief logistics joined church and small-group commitments.

How it felt

  • He enjoyed deciding what mattered each day. “freedom of time”
  • Meaningful part-time work was still something he was developing. “meaningful work”
PurposeFamilyChange
ESI Retiree 48
Read original postesimoney.com

Volunteering and travel coexist with missing work

Feb 2023Interview snapshot · published 2023

“I do miss work, but I don’t miss managing the solo office as much.”

Post-FI Interviewee 024Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The retired cardiologist walked, attended yoga and potlucks, volunteered at a free clinic and as a gardener, and visited family.

How it felt

  • He still experienced boredom and missed clinical work, while feeling less attachment to managing a solo office. “I do miss work”
PurposeRoutineFriends
Post-FI Interviewee 024
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

The travel plan collapsed. A different home and a broader routine followed.

2023

“Every day is a school day, and I’m always up to learn something new.”

Leif DahleenRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Spent time on home projects, exercise, travel and outings with his sons.
  • Volunteered at vaccination clinics and built local connections.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed continuing to learn practical skills. “Every day is a school day”
  • Preferred a varied, active routine to idleness. “Idleness has never been a strong suit of mine.”
RoutineFamilyPurpose
Leif Dahleen
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

Selective assignments leave room for outdoor volunteering

Dec 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“The need to work has abated, and it’s amazing how quickly your thoughts are occupied by other matters.”

Post-FI Interviewee 022Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from his main role, the physician chose temporary assignments and mentoring, volunteered for an outdoor organization and traveled with his wife.

How it felt

  • He described a changed relationship with work when earning became optional. “The need to work has abated”
PurposeWorkTravel
Post-FI Interviewee 022
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

He quit the job. The laundry never ended.

Sep 2022 · Year 2.3

“Nothing about my retirement seems like a failure nor is there anything I regret.”

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

Life at the time

  • Parented a second child while repetitive household work filled the days.
  • Planned a remote automation contract and paid help with chores.

How it felt

  • Missed satisfying technical challenges while domestic tasks kept recurring. “But the laundry - it never stops.”
  • Did not see a return to work as evidence that retirement had failed. “Nothing about my retirement seems like a failure”
WorkParenthoodPurpose
u/enfier
Read original postreddit.com

The deadlines disappeared quickly. The professional identity took longer.

Aug 2022 · Year 4

“It took a few years to be comfortable with saying that I am a retired person.”

ESI Retiree 41Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Walks, speaker-building and family visits filled a loose schedule.
  • A retirement association and old colleagues supplied some social contact.

How it felt

  • A retired identity had taken years to accept. “comfortable with saying”
  • The work itself was not missed, but shared accomplishments were. “sense of pride”
IdentityFamilyFriends
ESI Retiree 41
Read original postesimoney.com

Financial independence without a wish for empty days

Jul 2022Interview snapshot · published 2022

“Free time does not suit my personality.”

Post-FI Interviewee 018Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Both physicians continued practicing after reporting financial independence. The interviewee also pursued real-estate projects, cooking and a car hobby.

How it felt

  • He preferred staying occupied and did not see abundant free time as a goal. “I love to cook.”
PurposeRoutineCuriosity
Post-FI Interviewee 018
Read original postphysicianonfire.com

Their work ended together. Faith, golf and service kept the week full.

Jul 2022 · Year 4

“Retirement is beautiful”

ESI Retiree 39Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Prayer, golf, walks and community service shaped their days.
  • Friendship visits returned as pandemic restrictions eased.

How it felt

  • They saw retirement as chosen work with a different timetable. “Retirement is beautiful”
  • Time at home together had also felt satisfying. “perfectly content”
PurposeRoutineContentment
ESI Retiree 39
Read original postesimoney.com

Travel brought joy. Being available for a sick friend made the freedom matter differently.

Jul 2022Recalled in 2023

“I have intense gratitude about our position and I’m so glad to not be chained to my desk any longer.”

ESI Retiree 52Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They planned trips and used quieter weekday hours for errands and exercise.
  • She allowed herself slower Monday mornings.

How it felt

  • Leaving work felt euphoric after the uncertain waiting period. “intense gratitude”
  • She noticed less physical discomfort and deep gratitude. “not be chained to my desk”
RecoveryFriendsPurpose
ESI Retiree 52
Read original postesimoney.com

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