Life-changing decisions: Preparing, then "staying alert" (Post article)

NeilDH

Recycles dryer sheets
Joined
May 9, 2024
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Location
Schaumburg, IL
I found wisdom in this Washington Post article about a writer who decided to spend six months hiking the Appalachian Trail. On how did he know it was time to do it: "I believe that life is essentially arbitrary and the only trick to it is being in the right place at the right time. But no one knows what the right time will be, so you just have to find the right place and wait, staying alert for the right time to present itself. ... The most honest reason I’m going is that I saw the necessary pieces come into the correct alignment. It didn’t feel like making a decision, it felt like recognizing what was going to happen."

He likened his decision to the moment he proposed to his wife; it was spontaneous, but not really: "I’d been preparing for six years. I was so prepared that when the opportunity presented itself, I was able to recognize it, and I didn’t need to think about it. I could just take it."

I feel like my RE decision happened the same way. I happened not to know when exactly it would occur, but I prepared for the possibility, and then the moment presented itself. It seems like that's how it happened to many on this forum.

(The article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/02/appalachian-trail-hike-starting-opportunity/)
 
When you are financially independent, retirement can happen at any time.
 
Yeah, I spent years becoming ready to retire (aka becoming financially independent.) It took 5 minutes to decide one fine morning (it was the Friday before Labor Day) when I was informed that my assignment at Megacorp would change. I talked it over with DW and informed my company the Tuesday after LD that Friday would be my last day in the office (remaining vacation time I was available for phone calls if need be.)

For several years after FI, I was enjoying my assignment and didn't plan to retire - even though I was fully ready (financially.) It was great to be able to "jump" virtually the second I was no longer having fun.
 
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