Kristinia
Dryer sheet aficionado
It is really interesting what seemed so important just a few short months ago, now seems silly and falls into the category "why did I care so much"? Anyway I digress. This post is to let all of you know that are hanging on for OMY or are afraid to make the leap...do it. Do not be afraid. Life is waiting outside of those office doors. Here is my short story....
DH and I discussed retiring a couple years back and he said sure when we are 65. I let him know that may be good for you but I have no intention of waiting until 65 to enjoy life. It was a huge lightbulb moment for him. We buckled down and he started doing major research and of course found this amazing site and we put a plan in place. We have always been great savers with no debt for years so that was not the hard part for us. It was getting on the same page that took a bit of time. I had intended (like all best plans) to work at least 2 more years and DH would retire early next year. Well things changed; work changed; and I found myself leaving in September. At first I was scared: what would happen? Would I regret it? Would I become obsolete? Well I am only a few days into FIRE and I am so happy! I went for a bike ride in the middle of the day yesterday and for the first time of riding my mind was focused on what was around me (I secretly race everyone out there...they just don't know it!) and was able to have an amazing, fast ride. In fact I did 114 miles in my first week of retirement. I am still working quasi part-time (10 hours a week) which I have to talk myself into doing but I told them I would help with the transition. And as a smart person notated in an earlier post - there is ALWAYS someone behind the curtain ready to take your old job and probably make it better! May be a shot to the ego but there is so much more outside of the cubicle wall that it no longer will matter.
The point of this post is to say...time is short....life is short...so no matter where you are in the cycle do not be afraid. Life is really about deciding what YOU want to do during any given day and it is worth whatever you had to do to get there. Trust me I was a ladder climber and thought I was heading for the proverbial brass ring. But then I looked at those that were there and, well they did not look happy.
Funny, I had to go to the office yesterday for a meeting. I met with my former boss for a quick extra meeting at 1:30. She asked if I could stay until 3:30 to meet my replacement for an interview. I was like...ummm no I will meet her later. The thought of staying around the office for 2 hours just was in no way appealing! The humor is that a month ago I could not imagine leaving the place even when my time came. Yep life is one interesting journey!
Thank you to everyone on this forum with great advice, wonderful insight and just a great community of like-minded people. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter has in store as I wait for DH to reach his date!
DH and I discussed retiring a couple years back and he said sure when we are 65. I let him know that may be good for you but I have no intention of waiting until 65 to enjoy life. It was a huge lightbulb moment for him. We buckled down and he started doing major research and of course found this amazing site and we put a plan in place. We have always been great savers with no debt for years so that was not the hard part for us. It was getting on the same page that took a bit of time. I had intended (like all best plans) to work at least 2 more years and DH would retire early next year. Well things changed; work changed; and I found myself leaving in September. At first I was scared: what would happen? Would I regret it? Would I become obsolete? Well I am only a few days into FIRE and I am so happy! I went for a bike ride in the middle of the day yesterday and for the first time of riding my mind was focused on what was around me (I secretly race everyone out there...they just don't know it!) and was able to have an amazing, fast ride. In fact I did 114 miles in my first week of retirement. I am still working quasi part-time (10 hours a week) which I have to talk myself into doing but I told them I would help with the transition. And as a smart person notated in an earlier post - there is ALWAYS someone behind the curtain ready to take your old job and probably make it better! May be a shot to the ego but there is so much more outside of the cubicle wall that it no longer will matter.
The point of this post is to say...time is short....life is short...so no matter where you are in the cycle do not be afraid. Life is really about deciding what YOU want to do during any given day and it is worth whatever you had to do to get there. Trust me I was a ladder climber and thought I was heading for the proverbial brass ring. But then I looked at those that were there and, well they did not look happy.
Funny, I had to go to the office yesterday for a meeting. I met with my former boss for a quick extra meeting at 1:30. She asked if I could stay until 3:30 to meet my replacement for an interview. I was like...ummm no I will meet her later. The thought of staying around the office for 2 hours just was in no way appealing! The humor is that a month ago I could not imagine leaving the place even when my time came. Yep life is one interesting journey!
Thank you to everyone on this forum with great advice, wonderful insight and just a great community of like-minded people. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter has in store as I wait for DH to reach his date!
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