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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 94 posts

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

Oct 2026 · Year 6

“I think we’ve settled into it nicely.”

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

Life at the time

  • Combined an upstate New York home with nearby travel and several international trips. “I think we’ve settled into it nicely.”
  • Renewed the lease through at least May 2027 while planning additional travel.

How it felt

  • Felt comfortably settled after more than a year with a home base. “I think we’ve settled into it nicely.”
  • Enjoyed discovering a new shared routine after her partner retired.
HomeTravelPartners
A Purple Life
Read original postapurplelife.com

She sold the house—and the identity built around it.

Oct 2026October 5, 2026 essay

“I chose to strip away the external validation loop”

The Admiral · ESI MoneyRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Lived aboard a sailboat with her partner in less than 500 square feet.
  • Chose experiences over possessions while learning the routines and uncertainty of life at sea.

How it felt

  • Felt relief after voicing the decision to sell a home tied closely to memory and identity. “Who am I?”
  • Began separating self-worth from titles, recognition and constant accomplishment. “I chose to strip away the external validation loop”
IdentitySimplicityTravel
The Admiral · ESI Money
Read original postesimoney.com

Small pleasures made the first weeks rich. Years later, home still competed with adventure.

Sep 2026

“My nose is turned firmly towards home now”

Frogdancer JonesRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Traveled in Nepal and took a scenic flight near Everest.
  • Looked forward to returning home for family birthdays.

How it felt

  • Wanted to be home again without dismissing the trip. “My nose is turned firmly towards home now”
  • Described the holiday positively; adventure and familiar routines both appealed. “It’s been a very good holiday.”
TravelFamilyHome
Frogdancer Jones
Read original postburningdesireforfire.com

They drove away from their old life with doubts. Six years later, the road still appealed.

Sep 2026 · Year 6

“Last 6 years has been a fun journey with memories that’ll last a lifetime.”

Jake · Wandering Money PigRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Extended road trips explored different parts of the United States.
  • Travel and visits with relatives replaced the old work-centered calendar.

How it felt

  • He reported substantially less stress. “much less stress”
  • New places and conversations kept the experience enjoyable. “a fun journey”
TravelSimplicityFamily
Jake · Wandering Money Pig
Read original postwanderingmoneypig.com

Retirement gave him time. A diagnosis showed why that mattered.

Jun 2026 · Year 2.5

“I'm extremely grateful to be alive and cancer free but we are not taking anything for granted.”

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

Life at the time

  • Reported being cancer-free, with travel and family life regaining space.
  • Considered longer stays in Europe and Asia as children approached or entered college.

How it felt

  • Was looking forward without assuming that recovery guaranteed the future. “we are not taking anything for granted.”
  • Wanted to avoid indefinitely postponing meaningful experiences. “Tomorrow is not promised”
FamilyTravelChange
u/jgatcomb
Read original postreddit.com

Shared freedom, with different names for the same break

Mar 2026Interview snapshot · published 2026-08

“Now we are both enjoying the freedom from the demands of corporate life.”

ESI Millionaire 475Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • The couple left demanding corporate roles and focused on travel, exercise and healthy eating; she still considered possible consulting.

How it felt

  • Both enjoyed the freedom, though he called it retirement and she regarded her break as a sabbatical. “enjoying the freedom from the demands of corporate life.”
PartnersIdentityTravel
ESI Millionaire 475
Read original postesimoney.com

A pensionless retirement finds confidence without losing its chores

Dec 2025Recalled in 2026

“we were not worried”

A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48Read original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • They continued funding expenses through dividends.
  • Managing stock reorganizations and charitable share donations occupied attention.

How it felt

  • They felt little need to react to market volatility. “we were not worried”
  • Brokerage communication failures remained a source of annoyance. “I was extremely annoyed”
MoneyTravelEnough
A.R. English and Rich · Retired at48
Read original postretiredat48book.blogspot.com

Five magnificent years gave way to restlessness. A new season needed a new plan.

Nov 2025

“I’m calmer today than I was a year ago”

David ChampionRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • Traveled in Greece and Nepal and spent time climbing with a new partner.
  • Considered selling his house; the sale had not happened in this update.

How it felt

  • Had become dissatisfied with relying on self-study to fill the gap. “Bored with self-study”
  • Reported feeling calmer, although anxiety and uncertainty remained. “I’m calmer today than I was a year ago”
TravelChangeFriends
David Champion
Read original postcaniretireyet.com

Time freedom makes space for recovery and slow travel

Nov 2025Recalled in 2025

“It was truly freeing to travel in this way, taking the days as they came, and planning our progress and our schedule however we wanted.”

Jason · The Next Phase Is NowRead original post (opens in a new tab)

Life at the time

  • He and Lorri completed an unhurried road trip across the country.
  • They booked lodging along the way and visited parks, family and friends.

How it felt

  • Traveling without work or school constraints felt liberating. “truly freeing”
  • The podcast and blog remained meaningful contributions and sources of gratitude. “the most meningful work”
FreedomTravelPurpose
Jason · The Next Phase Is Now
Read original postthenextphaseisnow.com

A stunned last workday became five months of slow travel

Oct 2025 · Year 1.5

“But that someday finally arrived, and I honestly didn’t know life could be this good.”

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

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”
TravelContentment
u/NordicDarling
Read original postreddit.com

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