I expect there are some good threads on this, but I will pose the questions none the less. First, some observations... it's clear that many on this site have done the financial planning throughout much of their life with an intential plan of ER (or planned RE none the less). It's also clear to me that the 80/20 rule is in play in the rest of the world whereby 80% of the general population has not done the work/made a real plan. Like I am sure many of you, I find comfort in finding like minds on this site whereby it can be difficult to find friends in the hood who think alike. I find that people like us swim against "society's stream" in many ways and we often need to be careful of what we say regarding ER in fear that we may be perceived/judged differently. At 52, I also observe that society wires most of the population to work, save (if they do), retire (not ER), die... a real pick me up, huh. The work part obviously takes up most of our waking hours and for many of us becomes our identity/purpose. Getting personal, I am 3 yrs (last kid graduates from college) from FIRE with some lofty post RE income goals. I have been "plowing the fields" supporting a stay at home wife and 4 kids. While for almost 30 yrs being self employed with an income that fluctuates, I have been very fortunate to make good $$ and have always LBYMs which has set me up for my exit in 3 yrs if I so desire. Life's motivation so far has been driven by obligations/fear/achieving my financial goals/reward which while shallow in some respects, has given me purpose and satisfaction. So now I am 3 yrs from getting to the top of the mountain and ringing the bell and wondering what I am retiring too?? I am reading some books, exploring this site, trying to do some test runs on what I think I want to do in RE (i.e. more travel, explore some volunteer stuff), indulge more into some existing and new hobbies. I can continue to work and even ratchet it down some if I like. I expected to be really jacked up when the day came that I could FIRE, but feeling a little uneasy about next half of life. I have 3 yrs (or as long as I like) to figure it out and do my "test runs", but would love to find the purpose/excitement/passion I have had so far for my RE yrs.
Did you feel this way leading up to RE (assuming you weren't in a job you hated or was killing you)?
What steps did you take pre-RE that better prepared you psychologically/emotionally for the jump, especially as you look back now?
What would you have done differently?
Did you feel this way leading up to RE (assuming you weren't in a job you hated or was killing you)?
What steps did you take pre-RE that better prepared you psychologically/emotionally for the jump, especially as you look back now?
What would you have done differently?