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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 49 posts

Within months, slower days began to feel normal

Sep 2026

“And finally, we don’t worry about money (as much)!”

Mark Seed / My Own AdvisorRead original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
RoutineOutdoorsSlowing down
Mark Seed / My Own Advisor
Read original postmyownadvisor.ca

An unexpected exit slowly became a retirement she chose

Jul 2026

“the freedom, the flexibility, the contentment”

Leanne / Cresting the HillRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Both spouses were retired, taking local trips outside school holidays.
  • Spent time walking, reading and seeing family; she visited her mother weekly.

How it felt

  • Felt content with freedom and flexibility rather than big plans. “contentment costs next to nothing”
  • Found earlier fears about the loss of wages and timetables had eased. “the freedom, the flexibility, the contentment”
HomeSlowing downPartners
Leanne / Cresting the Hill
Read original postcrestingthehill.com.au

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

Family and projects filled the hours. Years later, the pace still belonged to him.

Jun 2026

“I do feel guilty when I am not helping out at home.”

re-ynd · Retired at 37Read original post (opens in a new tab)

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”
FamilySlowing downRoutine
re-ynd · Retired at 37
Read original postretired.re-ynd.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

Within months, slower days began to feel normal

Apr 2026

“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.”

Mark Seed / My Own AdvisorRead original post (opens in a new tab)

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.”
RoutineOutdoorsSlowing down
Mark Seed / My Own Advisor
Read original postmyownadvisor.ca

He escaped the night calls. Then had to give himself permission to relax.

Apr 2026 · Year 2

“Third, I feel safe and content.”

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

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.”
ContentmentSlowing downOutdoors
u/lifeistoughasfuck
Read original postreddit.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

He left at 54. Only afterward did he see the burnout.

Jan 2026 · Year 1.5

“The freedom is so fulfilling.”

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

Life at the time

  • Spent more time walking, resting and choosing activities at their own pace.
  • Continued working on fitness habits; side hustles had not become a major income source.

How it felt

  • Could recognize earlier burnout more clearly after time away. “The freedom is so fulfilling.”
  • Found fulfillment in choosing the next activity without an employer’s timetable. “Pausing to choose what to do next doesn't get old.”
RecoverySlowing downRoutine
u/breathedown
Read original postreddit.com

Leaving the last job makes room for both races and rest

Dec 2025Recalled in 2026

“I’m getting better at telling that voice to fuck off.”

Dave · Accidental FIRERead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He won a regional cycling race and completed his first ultramarathon.
  • Cycling and running groups brought friends; park reading restored a slower rhythm.

How it felt

  • The athletic progress felt meaningful after earlier struggles with weight. “a massive achievement”
  • He was getting better at resisting guilt about unproductive rest. “I’m getting better”
OutdoorsSlowing downIdentity
Dave · Accidental FI/RE
Read original postaccidentalfire.com

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