Chosen work gave freedom a purpose. Divorce changed the family around it.
“I recently hit 21 years of retirement.”
Life at the time
- Gave a community talk.
How it felt
- Comfortable with retirement. “I recently hit 21 years of retirement.”
Posts
Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.
Leaving work was the easy part. The house kept sending bills.
“I'm usually so busy doing my own stuff I don't know where I would fit a regular job in anyway.”
Life at the time
- Handled another roof replacement and ongoing work on the new home.
- Stayed busy with personal activities while annual outgoings reached roughly $87,000.
How it felt
- Had little desire to fit a regular job back into his days. “I don't know where I would fit a regular job in anyway.”
- Hoped the next year would bring fewer expensive surprises. “Hopefully this year will be a little less expensive.”
She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.
“After 5 years of planning how to pop around the world every month and creating perfectly interlocking travel plans, I burned myself out.”
Life at the time
- Renewed the apartment lease with her partner.
- Expected travel to occupy about a quarter of 2026, leaving more time near family.
How it felt
- Recognized burnout after years of arranging the next move. “I burned myself out.”
- Planning trips had changed from a pleasure into an obligation; some trips made home seem more appealing. “travel planning went from something I would wake up early excited to do, to something I was obligated to do”
She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.
“I think I am this consistently happy because my overall happiness is based on contentment, not dopamine hits.”
Life at the time
- Spent time with family and enjoyed walks, familiar comforts and ordinary days.
- Described roughly twice her starting net worth, without seeking a more extravagant life.
How it felt
- Had stopped treating happiness as something to keep chasing. “I’ve tried chasing happiness and it was a fool’s errand.”
- Measured contentment through everyday pleasures and close relationships. “I hit all of my contentment goals”
He escaped the night calls. Then had to give himself permission to relax.
“Third, I feel safe and content.”
Life at the time
- Ran two half-marathons and made room for thinking and ordinary pleasures.
- Let some creative plans pause as other interests took precedence.
How it felt
- Was learning to relax without treating every change of plan as failure. “It’s all good, you can relax now.”
- Felt safer and more content, although guilt still appeared. “Third, I feel safe and content.”
He won his freedom—and ran out of goals.
“So this is the first year I can remember in my adult life where I didn’t have some long-term goal driving me on, and it’s quite uncomfortable, if I’m honest.”
Life at the time
- Prioritized his children, enjoyable exercise and simpler decisions.
- Cut two trips short by choice and explored where to put down deeper roots.
How it felt
- Felt deeply fulfilled but uncomfortable without another major long-term goal. “it’s quite uncomfortable, if I’m honest.”
- Did not yet have a settled answer for the next stage. “I also feel like I’m entering the great unknown for the first time in a long time.”
A stunned last workday became five months of slow travel
“But that someday finally arrived, and I honestly didn’t know life could be this good.”
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
“Unlike many affluent retirees, I am not afraid to spend money to bring joy as my wife and I enter the “7th Chapter.””
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
“I have not come close to being bored.”
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!”
She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.
“How have I now been retired longer than I held my longest job?”
Life at the time
- Visited seven countries outside the US and seven US states.
- Kept adjusting food, travel and daily routines to balance enjoyment with feeling well.
How it felt
- Was struck by having retired for longer than her longest job had lasted. “retired longer than I held my longest job?”
- Remained enthusiastic about the life she was building and another year of exploration. “Time is flying and I’m celebrating completing Year 4 of my early retirement!”