Someone recently pointed out to me that had been retired for one year---my reaction was "no, it has not been a year yet." But guess what--time flies when you are having fun and it has been a year.
As a longtime lurker but seldom poster, I thought the I would report in on year one. In pre-FIRE days I always liked to hear how life was on the "other side" and see if some of my concerns were addressed.
How long did it take me to adjust to FIRE? Not sure since I didn't time how long it took me to walk from cube to my car---but as I recall I was parked pretty close to the door that day. Well, that may sound a little sarcastic, but truly it has not been an adjustment for me. There was a time a or two when someone asked my what my occupation was that it felt a little strange to reply "retired" and the first time or two it felt a little strange to list it on forms, but really it has been a VERY easy adjustment.
Money---that has worked out as I expected. I think that like many on this board I had a very good handle on expenses and could realistically predict what I needed to retire. The one expense that has been a little less than I expected is gasoline. I figured I would spend about what I spent while working since I had a short commute and knew that I wouldn't want to sit at home every day. Well, I drive as much as I want, but I guess that I hadn't factored in that some of the errands and pleasure driving that I do now, I was also doing pre-FIRE (especially the errands).
Boredom---hasn't happened. Life is interesting!! There is much that I want to do and to learn. What to do all day is just NOT a problem.
Volunteering---I have done some and continue to volunteer some, but I am jealous of my time so I don't want to get too tied up.
Health---I have been able to pick up a twice weekly yoga class and that is good for me both physically and mentally. My weight is the same (good) as pre-FIRE, but I do have the temptation of constant access to a kitchen full of good food and plenty of time to cook.
Travel--I have taken two long trips in the USA---one by air and one driving---and one overseas trip. I plan to continue to travel and love not needing to rush back or to worry about what was piling up at the office.
Settling in---as I settle into FIRE one phase I am starting to miss is the Sunday evening euphoria. Remember that nagging Sunday evening dread when you realized all the stuff you planned to get done around the house on the weekend is not done and all the stuff you need to do at the office next week is looming? Well, for the first six months of FIRE, about the time that the Sunday evening dread used to hit I would get Sunday evening euphoria realizing that I didn't have to go to w*rk on Monday and weekends were no longer crammed with laundry and household chores. Now that FIRE is the normal, the Sunday evening euphoria doesn't hit like it did the first few months.
This is a very long post---but hey, it has been a YEAR!!!
As a longtime lurker but seldom poster, I thought the I would report in on year one. In pre-FIRE days I always liked to hear how life was on the "other side" and see if some of my concerns were addressed.
How long did it take me to adjust to FIRE? Not sure since I didn't time how long it took me to walk from cube to my car---but as I recall I was parked pretty close to the door that day. Well, that may sound a little sarcastic, but truly it has not been an adjustment for me. There was a time a or two when someone asked my what my occupation was that it felt a little strange to reply "retired" and the first time or two it felt a little strange to list it on forms, but really it has been a VERY easy adjustment.
Money---that has worked out as I expected. I think that like many on this board I had a very good handle on expenses and could realistically predict what I needed to retire. The one expense that has been a little less than I expected is gasoline. I figured I would spend about what I spent while working since I had a short commute and knew that I wouldn't want to sit at home every day. Well, I drive as much as I want, but I guess that I hadn't factored in that some of the errands and pleasure driving that I do now, I was also doing pre-FIRE (especially the errands).
Boredom---hasn't happened. Life is interesting!! There is much that I want to do and to learn. What to do all day is just NOT a problem.
Volunteering---I have done some and continue to volunteer some, but I am jealous of my time so I don't want to get too tied up.
Health---I have been able to pick up a twice weekly yoga class and that is good for me both physically and mentally. My weight is the same (good) as pre-FIRE, but I do have the temptation of constant access to a kitchen full of good food and plenty of time to cook.
Travel--I have taken two long trips in the USA---one by air and one driving---and one overseas trip. I plan to continue to travel and love not needing to rush back or to worry about what was piling up at the office.
Settling in---as I settle into FIRE one phase I am starting to miss is the Sunday evening euphoria. Remember that nagging Sunday evening dread when you realized all the stuff you planned to get done around the house on the weekend is not done and all the stuff you need to do at the office next week is looming? Well, for the first six months of FIRE, about the time that the Sunday evening dread used to hit I would get Sunday evening euphoria realizing that I didn't have to go to w*rk on Monday and weekends were no longer crammed with laundry and household chores. Now that FIRE is the normal, the Sunday evening euphoria doesn't hit like it did the first few months.
This is a very long post---but hey, it has been a YEAR!!!
Love this. Wishing you many more happy days.
