I FIREd 9 months ago and it is finally really feeling like a different phase. Even good change is challenging, so I searched past strings for others’ experiences to compare and found this excellent, affirming string started by Focus. I decided to bump it up and to pluck out some of the some of the observations I most resonate with.
*. Worrying less about money. We have a plan with a lot of built in contingencies so trust the numbers.
*. Getting along better with DW, mostly because all the irritants related to work are gone.
*. I enjoyed and am proud of my career but I have no interest in my former profession or work place.
*. The “Gap Year” desire has gone away. We still want to travel but we had a BIG PLAN, which I now admit was mostly a coping fantasy to get me through hard work periods.
*. I thought that leaving w*rk behind would be like a light switch flipping to instant bliss. It was not like that at all for me and has been more of a dimmer switch. From what I read, my adjustment will take at least 18 months.
* Work muscles were very strong at first and I had to force myself to let them atrophy. Old habits are hard to break so I have to tell myself that I already DID the earning, striving, selling, meetings and sitting in front of a screen. If black swan financial clouds emerge someday, I’d rather adapt spending at that time.
* I have MASSIVE LISTS accumulated over many years of places to visit, things to do for extra money or just life bucket lists. They feel far less urgent. The one I might delete is things for extra money, because I’m saving so much money in FIRE, unexpectedly.
*. We have adapted to our animals and their daily pace. How did we ever leave them everyday?
*. I have become allergic to calendar commitments and have forgotten some entirely. People talk about needing a volunteer gig or part time job but that would mean something on the calendar and being accountable. No thanks.
*. Expenses have unexpectedly fallen through the floor, thanks to no costs to work, lower taxes, and lower consumption generally. I expect some to increase modestly post-Covid.
*. I’m 55 and am having trouble saying “I’m retired”. I project on others that they cannot comprehend, are jealous, think I’m reckless or think I’m lazy. This is all my garbage and I need to practice saying the words and grow out of it.
*. I have gained 10-15 pounds. Call it Covid stress eating. I know how to cut carbs and probably will post vaccination.
*. Alcohol use is up, but that has a lot to do with having more time to develop and enjoy my passion for wine and how to pair it with food.
*. Often, when I’m out for a walk, I’m suddenly overcome by repressed gratitude and happiness. I am moved to swing my arms like a windmill to express that I’m done with the burdens of the past agreed phase and am embracing what the future holds!
It appears I have more than the 3 Reasons from the title. What is missing??
I played it twice just for good measure.
