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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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1–8 of 8 posts

He left London for family. Freedom soon needed boundaries of its own.

Jun 2026 · Year 3

Life at the time

  • Married, pursued new ventures and continued traveling.
  • Began wanting a steadier home base as constant movement grew less appealing.

How it felt

  • Remained enthusiastic about the freedom and fulfillment of retirement. “the freedom and fulfillment are at an all-time high.”
  • Recognized that being under the same roof did not guarantee meaningful time together. “Spending time living under the same roof with someone doesn’t guarantee that time is quality time.”

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

Jun 2026

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”

He bought a one-way escape. A home base made it easier to stay.

2026 · Year 2.5

Life at the time

  • Established a Thailand base with a longer-term visa, friends, golf and exercise.
  • Continued traveling abroad while considering a slower pace.

How it felt

  • Found the longer visa made everyday life easier to settle into. “having a long-term visa makes it mentally easier.”
  • Liked the home base while retaining the option to move elsewhere. “I like Thailand, but I am in no way tied down to it.”

A wish for roots does not mean a wish for office hours

Nov 2024

Life at the time

  • She supervised a Denver election center for long days.
  • Work, workouts and sleep displaced her usual interests.

How it felt

  • The brief return felt stressful and unpleasant. “I hated it.”
  • It reinforced her appreciation for having room for multiple priorities. “I have enough space for all my rocks”

He could go anywhere. Six years later, he wanted to stay home.

Aug 2024 · Year 6

Life at the time

  • Paused constant travel for time with parents, walks, exercise and volunteering.
  • Moved temporarily to Tulsa while keeping his Texas home.

How it felt

  • Travel had begun to feel like another chore. “Travelling nonstop was starting to feel like a chore”
  • Wanted a quieter everyday setting and a break from crowding at home. “I just needed a break from that place.”

A damaged RV, a market slump and a new home change the dream

2024Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • They completed a home in north central Texas and ended full-time RV travel.
  • Construction delays extended an expensive hotel stay from weeks to months.

How it felt

  • The move followed grief and waning enthusiasm for road life. “we finally caught a break”
  • A positive financial year finally felt like a welcome break. “back on track”

A damaged RV, a market slump and a new home change the dream

2021Recalled in 2026

Life at the time

  • They sold possessions and began RV life in February.
  • An interstate collision left them living at a repair shop for weeks.

How it felt

  • Reaching their financial target initially felt wonderful. “Life was good!!”
  • The repeated setbacks made the start harder than expected. “a challenge”

A wish for roots does not mean a wish for office hours

Apr 2018

Life at the time

  • She traveled without a permanent lease or household bills.
  • She increasingly wanted her own bed and familiar belongings.

How it felt

  • Finances felt secure, but travel had become tiring. “I’ve grown weary of the road”
  • She felt isolated and wondered whether roots and relationships mattered more than mobility. “the more isolated I feel”

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