A life close to home
“I just wanted to stay home.”
Life at the time
- A home base and shared mornings.
How it felt
- Less urge to travel. “I just wanted to stay home.”
Posts
Explore turning points, everyday joys and unexpected challenges after financial independence or retirement, with the date and original source for each account.
Within months, slower days began to feel normal
“And finally, we don’t worry about money (as much)!”
Life at the time
- Had taken a three-week Newfoundland retirement road trip.
- Averaged over 10,000 steps daily, golfed weekly and cycled over 100 kilometres a week.
How it felt
- Enjoyed having time to think and act on his own schedule. “time moves differently”
- Was surprised that the household worried less about money. “we don’t worry about money”
She escaped the office. Then burned out planning the next trip.
“These days, I bring joy to myself and others with my creativity.”
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.”
The portfolio cleared the target. Purpose did not arrive with it.
“I'm determined the direction will be set by me”
Life at the time
- Built a week around book clubs, exercise, volunteering and family.
- Made investment changes in response to financial anxiety.
How it felt
- Appreciated a rhythm that left room to choose, though loneliness remained. “We've settled into a rhythm, though not a schedule”
- Wanted to set the next direction personally instead of taking it from another job. “I'm determined the direction will be set by me”
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.”
Family and projects filled the hours. Years later, the pace still belonged to him.
“I do feel guilty when I am not helping out at home.”
Life at the time
- His older daughter needed less time, leaving more room for personal interests.
- Household tasks, exercise and short project sessions shared the day.
How it felt
- He sometimes felt guilty when he was not helping at home. “I do feel guilty”
- He accepted interruptions and valued slowing down over achieving more. “I don’t mind it at all”
The freedom was immediate; chosen structure came later
“But over the past few months I’ve gotten back into pre-planning my week, setting family/hobby/personal project goals, using a calendar, reenforcing personal routine, etc… and I’m happier for it.”
Life at the time
- Uses weekly plans and goals for family, hobbies and personal projects.
- Keeps a child’s routine alongside daily unstructured time.
How it felt
- Feels happier with self-chosen structure. “I’m happier for it”
- Still has not missed the job despite having enjoyed most of it. “I haven’t missed it for a single day”
Within months, slower days began to feel normal
“And to be honest, even a few days after I handed in my laptop and badge, the feeling remains quite surreal about what just happened.”
Life at the time
- Left an employer after more than twenty-five years and joined his wife in retirement.
- Began mornings with more time and fewer externally imposed obligations.
How it felt
- Found the departure surreal only days after returning his equipment. “the feeling remains quite surreal”
- Felt moved by colleagues’ sendoff and uncertain about the shape of the next chapter. “I don’t have all the answers yet.”
A short commute to part-time work at home
“I got rid of all my work clothes and enjoy the short commute to my home office.”
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.”
Seven years without a job. A full life built around friends and bread.
“I've made it about 8 times in the past two weeks, I wonder if my friends are getting sick of the pop-in bread deliveries yet.”
Life at the time
- Had weekly lunches, monthly dinners, games and a long road trip with a friend.
- Baked bread and used deliveries as a reason to visit people.
How it felt
- Had no wish to return to employment. “Never going back to work.”
- Enjoyed small, repeatable ways of keeping friendships active. “I wonder if my friends are getting sick of the pop-in bread deliveries yet.”
