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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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1–10 of 95 posts

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

Sep 2026

“These days, I bring joy to myself and others with my creativity.”

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

Life at the time

  • Helped with a week of detective games her mother created for a six-year-old.
  • Continued writing, reviewing and learning despite falling blog traffic.

How it felt

  • Did not need creative interests to earn enough to support her life. “receiving money for my creativity was never a goal of mine.”
  • Valued making things for the enjoyment they brought her and other people. “These days, I bring joy to myself and others with my creativity.”
CreativityFreedomRoutine
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

A travel sabbatical became a flexible working life

Jul 2026 · Year 3

“I was in love with the idea of “stopping work”, but in reality I am in love with being able to decide when I take a break.”

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

Life at the time

  • Consults for one client at a time, taking breaks and testing business ideas between engagements.
  • Tried renting out the apartment for three months while travelling; the administration outweighed the appeal.

How it felt

  • Feels reassured that returning to work remains possible and would not mean failure. “I now know that I can return to work”
  • Values deciding when to take a break more than the original idea of never working again. “being able to decide when I take a break”
FreedomWork
u/sunnyBCN
Read original postreddit.com

A year without work proved the exit was real.

Jul 2026 · Year 1

“That freedom is a wild feeling.”

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

Life at the time

  • Returned to employment after a year away.
  • Considered a partner’s wish to retire together and keeping professional skills current.

How it felt

  • The trial had increased confidence in the option to leave work. “That freedom is a wild feeling.”
  • Was evaluating employment week by week rather than assuming a long commitment. “Right now I'm taking employment week by week”
WorkPartnersFreedom
u/Hnry_Dvd_Thr_Awy
Read original postreddit.com

She expected new ambitions. First came a welcome, quiet pause.

Jul 2026 · Year 2

“I love not setting an alarm and having full authority over my schedule.”

Elizabeth GeorgeRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Writing, exercise, short trips and occasional consulting shaped her life.
  • Social groups and outings supplied some contact beyond home.

How it felt

  • She prized autonomy but missed the daily company of driven colleagues. “full authority over my schedule”
  • She resisted turning every new interest into another growth target. “arbitrary goals”
RecoveryFreedomCreativity
Elizabeth George
Read original postesimoney.com

He could afford an ambitious bucket list. He learned to leave days empty.

Jun 2026 · Year 3

“Deleting social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc has freed up so much cognitive cycles and reduced my anxiety while increasing my satisfaction with life.”

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

Life at the time

  • Allowed more quiet, unplanned time alongside exercise.
  • Reduced social media use.

How it felt

  • Was becoming more comfortable slowing down without filling every hour. “Its okay to slow down and have lots of quiet unplanned time.”
  • Felt that leaving social platforms returned time and attention. “I feel like I regained my power and so much more time.”
Slowing downFreedomFamily
u/jayybonelie
Read original postreddit.com

He stopped accepting the old calendar. A decade later, that was still the prize.

Apr 2026

“The Luxury of Slow”

ESIRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Kept mornings centered on exercise, walks and time for conversation.
  • Continued writing and community work while shedding tasks he disliked.

How it felt

  • Still valued moving at his own pace almost a decade after retiring. “The Luxury of Slow”
  • Enjoyed the creative and social parts of the work he chose to keep. “the creation and the community”
Slowing downFreedomPurpose
ESI
Read original postesimoney.com

An advertising side business softened the jump into retirement

Mar 2026Recalled in 2026

“Now, I’m more of a free spender.”

ESI Millionaire 314Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He closed the business in December 2025.
  • Ski trips and daily walks now filled more time.

How it felt

  • He felt relieved to leave corporate pressures. “more of a free spender”
  • He had become more comfortable spending. “just done with it all”
OutdoorsMoneyFreedom
ESI Millionaire 314
Read original postesimoney.com

A gradual business exit leaves time for simple pleasures

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-06

“We enjoy going to concerts, nice meals out and taking things easy at last!”

ESI Millionaire 472Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Following a business sale, the couple exercised, walked dogs, read, helped elderly parents and enjoyed concerts; he also offered free consulting.

How it felt

  • He welcomed control of his time after gradually delegating responsibility over many years. “taking things easy at last!”
Slowing downFamilyFreedom
ESI Millionaire 472
Read original postesimoney.com

A short commute to part-time work at home

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-09

“I got rid of all my work clothes and enjoy the short commute to my home office.”

ESI Millionaire 478Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • After retiring from full-time university administration, she worked from home for four to five hours daily.

How it felt

  • She liked the improved balance and freedom from office clothes and commuting; complete retirement remained ahead. “enjoy the short commute to my home office.”
WorkFreedomRoutine
ESI Millionaire 478
Read original postesimoney.com

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