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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
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1–10 of 84 posts

A travel sabbatical became a flexible working life

Jul 2026 · Year 3

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”

A year without work proved the exit was real.

Jul 2026 · Year 1

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”

A small surgery center becomes an ideal retirement job

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-06

Life at the time

  • He chose occasional surgery-center work alongside renovating, decluttering, travel and time with retired friends.

How it felt

  • He liked the mix of useful skills, social contact and challenge without night shifts or mandatory call. “I think of it as paid volunteer work.”

Monday golf with Dad becomes non-negotiable

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-07

Life at the time

  • Working three days a week in municipal projects left four-day weekends and a standing Monday golf game with his father.

How it felt

  • He felt the balance was finally right after full-time work had repeatedly displaced family occasions. “this is a non-negotiable”

A short commute to part-time work at home

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-09

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.”

Chosen jobs and hands-on projects fill retirement

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-09

Life at the time

  • Retired from regular work, the couple kept a few paid activities and did much of their own home improvement work.

How it felt

  • They valued deciding when to do paid work, even though the household still involved considerable physical effort. “We work at our paying jobs when we want.”

He retired with $2.7m. Three years later, he wanted back in.

Feb 2026 · Year 3

Life at the time

  • Accepted another engineering job after three years away.
  • Hoped the lower-paid role would preserve flexibility; that outcome had not yet been tested.

How it felt

  • Wanted challenge and mentoring alongside concerns about higher spending. “I want a new challenge somehow.”
  • Valued the family experiences during the break and did not regret taking it. “I do not regret having a 3 year sabbatical”

A move to Spain became a comfortable semi-retirement

Dec 2025 · Year 1.5

Life at the time

  • Combined part-time consulting with life abroad.
  • Built friendships with other families through the children.

How it felt

  • Enjoyed spending more freely with earnings coming in. “massive mental bonus”
  • Felt happy and socially settled enough to extend the stay. “our social life has been wonderful.”

Creative freedom did not replace the feeling of making a difference

Nov 2025

Life at the time

  • Has found a state-government job in his field.
  • Continues engaging with his subject while weighing the return.

How it felt

  • Misses feeling relevant and having an impact. “I just don't feel as relevant anymore”
  • Feels ambivalent but believes he may not be finished with work. “I'm not done yet”

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.”

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