Hi everyone, thought I would come back and give an update since you all have always been so kind and helpful to me. I'm now 43. My original plan was to retire in 2015, but like so many others I fell into the OMY trap.
After
turning down a job offer in London since it would have likely delayed retirement by several years, I learned about a new experimental initiative at Megacorp that allows employees to stay salaried but work on a freelance basis, choosing their projects, number of hours, and schedule as desired. This sounded too good to pass up, so I joined this new group as a half-time software engineer working a three-month-on, three-month-off schedule. I get paid a prorated half-time salary but continue to receive full benefits. I was able to get away from the dysfunctional projects I was on previously and pursue open-source Web development, something I had always been intrigued by but never really had the chance to pursue at work.
The first three months of my new gig followed immediately on to my fulltime job, so there was not much difference except that I now could work from home 100% and was able to choose my own projects. This was definitely an improvement but I soon discovered that the new projects I was on still had their fair share of dysfunction (of course). I was also limited by the types of work I could accept due to the three-month time limitation.
With the three months off that followed, I took a seven-week trip to Europe and then had five weeks at home before work started again.
I enjoyed the travels in Europe, but the five weeks at home were more blissful than I could ever have imagined. As a self-described travel junkie, I had always previously spent my entire vacations on the road and had never had any extended time at home when I wasn't working. I found it incredible to have every day free to structure as I liked, with so much freedom to pursue long-dormant interests that had been abandoned due to the stresses and time demands of work.
Going back to work after those three months off was like checking myself back into day prison, particularly knowing that I was FI and did not have to be there. However, I had committed to myself to give this program a year, and I also felt some obligation to friends and colleagues who had supported me and helped me get this highly coveted job, so I was determined to see it through for six more months.
The first two weeks back at work were pretty bad as I felt completely bored and disengaged. I also felt I couldn't really complain about my resentment and frustration to anyone, since most people could only dream of a three-month-on, three-month-off schedule. After a while, though, momentum built again and now I am extremely busy and can't complain of boredom... although I am still counting the days until my work stint ends at the end of October!
In November and December I'll be traveling in Japan and Taiwan, and then plan to give my notice when I get back. I'll continue to be paid half-time until the end of January, and then I'll be a free woman! I can't wait. I plan to spend the first year realizing my long-time goal of learning to speak Spanish fluently through language study in Mexico and Spain and travels in Colombia and Ecuador.
Thanks everyone for your help and support along the way! I look forward to soon having more time to post.
Love that this is the only place I can talk about my plans openly with people who understand! 
