Now that you have reached and experienced FIRE and are "retired" do you have any regrets or has it turned out to have any disappointing elements?
I'm closing in on year 12 of an unplanned early-early retirement.
Regrets? - None really. At first, it seemed like a bit of a waste, since I had abilities and capabilities that were not going to be used anymore. And I saw many others older than me in the same boat - seems like society was losing the efforts and abilities of some really good people.
HOWEVER... these thoughts of worthlessness were swamped out by the feeling of freedom!
I worked in a very high-stress job. It would have been OK, if I could have gotten rid of a bunch (ok, maybe more like a gross) of people. Some afternoons, for a couple of minutes, I would escape to an area that had big windows that looked out at trees and bushes, and just think how much I wanted to be in a position that I could be out there on my own (and not poor!). And then someone would find me, and my moment of peace would be over, back to reality.
Since E-ER, I often think of that spot, looking out at those trees and wanting to be gone. And I am!!! Freedom!
Disappointing elements? - None really. I have always been a self-starter, and I never worried that I would run out of things to do, or not know what to do, if I had the opportunity to retire. Just give it to me!
That said, in my opinion, one needs to be realistic about early retirement once there. If every day is good... are they still? Without being whacked by a big stick everyday, "good" can become the new normal, which means it won't feel as good as it did in the beginning. You just get used to it, and may not appreciate it as much. I am NOT talking about going back to work, but rather the human condition of complacency. We can always find something to complain about, after complaining about work is over.
But tomorrow is another day, and I'm NOT going to work, I'm going for a walk, do some things, putter around, maybe take an after-lunch nap after my un-hurried low-stress lunch. If I should kick the bucket while napping, I'm ok with that, I won't feel cheated out of life.
I sure would have felt cheated if I kicked the bucket while working! That phrase about life being short and brutal...