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Old 06-24-2022, 06:07 AM   #41
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"Phase 2 - you feel loss and feel lost" - I totally skipped this phase!
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Old 06-24-2022, 07:00 AM   #42
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As I consider these stages (and yes, of course, these are simply derived from interviews and observations of his...there's never a straight line in these things), it's clear to me that a major part of having gotten stuck in Phase 2 has very little to do about missing my previous work and about 99% due to some extraordinarily challenging issues outside of my control hitting about the same time as retirement time came.

I'm thinking I'll throw us both a new retirement party and just start over...I'd always imagined I'd be in vacation mode for AT LEAST a year, ha!

And while I know his stages don't resonate or appeal to everyone, I think his framework could be helpful for those not retired yet to consider and be aware of. Not everyone is "out of the gate" euphoric after retiring and there's nothing abnormal or wrong with you if you aren't. It just is what it is. NBD.
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Old 06-24-2022, 07:07 AM   #43
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I think phase 2 is highly variable.

I always had interests outside of work, so it wasn't a huge loss to give up that one part of my identity. I think these types of cautionary tales are directed toward those whose whole identity is tied to their work. The 80-hour-week folks.

For me, it was hard leaving my "real" life to spend 40 hours in the office each week. Stopping that was not a problem.
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Old 06-24-2022, 07:29 AM   #44
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For me, it was hard leaving my "real" life to spend 40 hours in the office each week. Stopping that was not a problem.
I understand and agree. Both DH and I have many hobbies and I can't say either of us ever really gets bored b/c there's always something else to do. I'd say for both of us, the challenge has been dealing with unforeseen circumstances out of our control that, nevertheless, have had to be dealt with.

Now that I'm thinking about it, crawling out of those circumstances for us is probably the equivalent of walking away from work for a lot of folks. So, yep, I see a party in our near future!!!
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Old 06-24-2022, 08:56 AM   #45
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Approaching year 18, I went from phase 1 directly to phase 5 - no longer having the need to label any part of my retirement as a phase.
^This. Those labels are ridiculous
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Old 06-24-2022, 09:19 AM   #46
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I don't know what phase I am in. all I know is I am enjoying every day, doing what ever I wish, even if it is nothing. Nothing is doing something :-)
Life is pretty darn good right now.
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Old 06-24-2022, 09:29 AM   #47
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I don't know what phase I am in. all I know is I am enjoying every day, doing what ever I wish, even if it is nothing. Nothing is doing something :-)
Life is pretty darn good right now.
Good point. Even as we age, we want to live longer. Life is precious.
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Old 06-24-2022, 11:15 AM   #48
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After 22 years, I have no need to share my secrets with others. Let them discover it themselves. The only phase shift was to BTD two years ago. Now deadline scheduling. Planning for another 10 years. And having difficulty making up for lost pandemic time in our travel.

Just got a new cat so we are committed to another 16 years to look after her (2 years old now). If she lives to be 20-22, may have to leave her to someone else along with a $25k stipend.
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Old 06-24-2022, 11:58 AM   #49
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Never thought about phases of retirement.

But looking at the list, I think I do these 3 things concurrently, starting back from the time I worked part-time contracting jobs and did it for 9 years before quitting for good.

Phase 1 - Vacation phase
Phase 2 - you feel loss and feel lost
Phase 3 - a time of trial and error, trying out new things
Phase 4 - a time to reinvent and rewire
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Old 06-24-2022, 12:29 PM   #50
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I wonder if age is a factor in these "phases", particularly Phase 2.

I can envision someone who FIREs in their early 40's to me much more susceptible that those FIREing at, say, 55-60.

In your early 40s, very little of your peer age group is FIRE-ing, and IMHO it is more likely to feel the peer pressure of "do something with your life". It is also more likely to get "bored" with leisure things ("do I really want to be doing this for the next 40 years??")

On the other hand, after 55, one may see enough of one's peer group also retiring, and focused on the leisure side, so one is less likely to feel that pressure. Also, one can more readily recognize that the odds are more likely that they have a max of another 15-20 years at their current health and activity level to experience things, so that becomes the priority.
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Old 06-24-2022, 01:16 PM   #51
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Hmmm...left the corporate world to be caregiver to mom in my 30s...too busy to be in any 'phase' for the next 15 years...after that focused on getting the kids out of the house...youngest just graduated, so who knows what's next?
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:13 PM   #52
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I think the reason that the phase thing doesn't resonate with many of us (myself included) is that the video is about phases of retirement rather than phases of FIRE retirement. We're wired differently from most retirees, and are not the target audience.
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:19 PM   #53
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I think the reason that the phase thing doesn't resonate with many of us (myself included) is that the video is about phases of retirement rather than phases of FIRE retirement. We're wired differently from most retirees, and are not the target audience.
That would make sense.
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:32 PM   #54
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The speaker was a “Dr.” and, if he was a physician, I can imagine retiring was a big deal to him, since that profession is all-consuming of one’s public identity, provides constant feel-goods from helping others, and generates a high income. It’s a lot to walk away from, I bet.
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:51 PM   #55
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The speaker was a “Dr.” and, if he was a physician, I can imagine retiring was a big deal to him, since that profession is all-consuming of one’s public identity, provides constant feel-goods from helping others, and generates a high income. It’s a lot to walk away from, I bet.
Nah, he's a Dr via education, not an MD.

Has a background in public speaking and podcasts, and, of course, financial advising. This "4 phases" thing is his main gig...books and workshops!
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Old 06-24-2022, 02:54 PM   #56
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The speaker is an educator, now consultant apparently. I think once a teacher, always a teacher. He seems to enjoy what he is doing now and I guess that's a trajectory that most of us would shoot for.

His talk will land on each retiree differently I suppose.
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Old 06-24-2022, 08:30 PM   #57
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I'm betting this is a good gig for the Doc.
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Old 06-24-2022, 08:39 PM   #58
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Approaching year 18, I went from phase 1 directly to phase 5 - no longer having the need to label any part of my retirement as a phase.
Same only 15 years in for me. Certainly never felt lost. Ha
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Old 06-24-2022, 09:01 PM   #59
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Ten years in…still stuck in Phase 1. Must be doing it wrong.
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Old 06-24-2022, 10:13 PM   #60
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Went phase 2 thru 4. Lay -off at age 50. After 29 years learning to ER, thinking of retiring from retirement next year buying a tractor and working on "The Farm',

Heh heh heh - ?? City boy driving a tractor and trying not to be 'too' serious.
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