Hello!
I've been a lurker for a long time and I love learning about people's lives/stories/strategies (we actually started a retirement blog about 18 years ago, but there wasn't really an audience for it back then). I'm so appreciative of how generous everyone is on these boards.
Getting to it, during Covid, we realized that although we were good savers (go DINKs!) and had a loose idea about living some or all of our time in Europe eventually, we really didn't have a plan. We were just simply "too busy" to focus on it; living in our home 24/7 freed up some time! We started working with a financial planner for the first time—given a potential move to Europe we know *we* needed some help to plot out the next, few years of moving money, taxes, etc. And when we did the math, we realized that we could, in fact, FIRE. Although at 54 (me) and 61 (DH), I don't know that we're necessarily "early."
BUT, although we're tired of working like crazy (both started work at 11 yrs. old), we're sort of addicted to it—and the money it's brought us. Growing up poor (like government cheese-level poor) will do that to you. We've had all the lessons in our lives (cancer, tragic family deaths, etc.) that have shown us, in no uncertain terms, that life is SHORT—and yet, we're both really hesitant to shut off the money spigot.
I'm curious as to how people have gotten past the emotional (and sometimes spending) hurdle of less money, and how more free time was/is, indeed, priceless.
I am tired (not holding grudge, just stressed out) of my work but this was only my second job since I started my so called career 8yrs ago.
Before my career, I wasted so much time not working but just being unproductive to the society that in every way I think you are more qualified (like 30 to 40 yrs more) to choose your own time to wake up and call a 2pm meal your breakfast.
My current plan is to survive the next 10 years of my full time job(s) and then call it quit. I have imagined that moment in my head over and over especially since the pandemic started and my work load for some reason doubled.
Because of that, I wonder if I sort of, at some level, understand what you mean about the emotional response with the retirement transition. Going retirement is a huge change alright.
However the emotion only takes root if you have the time nuturing it and keeping focusing on the change part.
Anyone transitioning from 50 constant working, saving, and routine years is bound to have the tendency to get a shock when they stop doing that one day.
I don't have such mind-locking pre-existing condition (yet), and I likely will find it easier if I could start my retirement tomorrow. Perhaps instead of sinking into that emotional shock for a long time, which almost certainly will lead to misery, I would focus on one or two new things that I am curious or interested about doing once my retirement starts.
If you have used certain methods to relax your mind after work in the past few years, you likely have something you already have some interest in which can be used to develope your retirement goal.
Me as an example, I am a loyal subscriber of the Dodo YouTube channel and that makes me wonder if it is that rewarding experience to forster a pet before they find their forever home.
I may also think about checking out the local animal shelters to see if they need any help. I don't know if I am good enough to be a volunteer but honestly comparing to frequently come-and-go high schooler volunteers, I am likely more qualified.
I also figured dealing with animals is likely easier than dealing with people since pets don't usually prejudge you before they even know you.
Another thing I am interested in is a long long road trip. As another member of this forum described, road trips are more like a drastic life style change, which is not like a work life but more of constant new inputs from being on the road, visiting national parks and landmarks 24/7.
Visiting different places, arranging routes and lodging is a good way to keep my mind stimulated. As a new life style durng retirement, you also have total say in it, so it is not like work at all.
I think the easy and fulfilling life depends on how open I can be. I also thought about being a landlord, finding a project vehicle to restore, or starting some artistic venture like creating japanese manga or models like Tamiya ones using 3d printers. I scraped those ideas soon because those are hobbies which I can do right now to help me relax if I can find the time.
The goal is not having to excel in anything during the retirement, it is to try different stuff, see different things, and grow new perspectives that I am afraid because of change. Or another member in the forum described as a journey to become a kid again.