1. YES…Free time gets used in different ways… Staying mentally fit: currently studying at university part time, learning a language, learning an instrument. Also trying to improve my illustration and photography skills.
Staying physically fit: mountain biking, bouldering, running and trying to sea swim. Helping others: do pro-bono work for NGOs in sectors of interest (40+ days in 2023).
Helping child with some of their questions re uni study, supporting a family member with mental health issues. Helping self: Travel: we take a few big breaks (Iceland all this month). We live between two countries, so explore them a fair bit. Social: spend time with family & friends
2. Yes. I spend my free time doing what I want to do; it doesn’t really matter what that is, as long as I get to decide the what, when, and how. That’s the whole point of FIRE to me: independence.
3. Yes, happier now. Less anxious and less stressed. I was curious as to how I’d adapt after work, but after a while, things just slow down and I started to enjoy the drift. I exercise, walk on the beach, watch anime, read all sorts of stuff online, travel/plan for the travel, etc. I think it is easier for introverts to adapt to FIRE that those who received lots of satisfaction from work interactions/relationships. I’m certainly fine spending more time alone.
4. Def happier because full time work generally sucked. Now I do what I want. Some volunteering, some hobbies, some self education, and plenty of goofing off.
5. I don’t have to do town hall meetings, or annual goal setting or listening to people who don’t understand [latest tech craze] talk about how it’s going to change everything in the next 5-10 years. It definitely makes me happier to drop that from my life. I don’t have the dopamine factory of people saying thank you after I send them something by email, I need to generate my own things to make myself happy (some volunteer work, some just being out and seeing the world at a slower pace).
6. Unequivocally yes. We live the same lives we had before, but without work and all of the things tied to work taking time away from everything else.
7. Without a doubt yes. Stopped working a few months ago and already life is so much better. My job while quite stressful still had a solid layer of corporate BS wasting all kinds of time. Being able to leave all of that behind has made a huge positive difference in life.
8. I retired at 41. Sold my home. Spent the last 8 yrs traveling the world slowly, soaking up experiences I never dreamed were an option for me. I just got a second passport so I settle down permanently in Europe where the cost of living, values and lifestyle align with mine. Money has not brought me happiness. But the freedom to choose has. The freedom to not work, the freedom to choose how I spend my days, and who I want to spend them with. Most importantly, its allowed me to pursue the things that do bring me joy.
9. The best decision. Less stress, more time. FREEDOM. I can do whatever I want, with whomever I want, whenever I want. I can go on an impromptu trip w/ friends. When I travel, I can fully explore & immerse myself into different cultures and stay for weeks, months or years. I have time to spend with my aging parents (87 & 84 years old). Prior to that, I only had 2 weeks of PTO, so my time was very limited. My parents sacrificed a lot for me & it’s a pure joy to spend time with them without the work commitment/stress. I’m learning on how to cook more, eating healthier and keeping fit by hitting the gym. I am sleeping well & taking naps (without setting an alarm) – full rejuvenation. I am able to help more people on how to save & invest wisely. I have options and I can use my money as a tool to solve almost any problem that comes my way.
10. Yes, I’m happier now. I spend my time hiking and recovering from hiking. I have a lot of hobbies that I never had time for while working that I can do now.
11. It is the most pleasant dream you never have to wake up from. Skiing, windsurfing, wing foiling, lifting, fight training, slinging the rock, bball, physics, math, chess, Spanish and guitar are the activities I partake on the regular.
12. Absolutely happier…now. Wife and I pulled the trigger at 47 (two years ago) and it took about 12 months to start to relax fully….as it is a major life change. We spend half our day on self care and the other half working on our ranch. Don’t miss corporate America for a second.
13. I’m quite happy, although I was also happy working once I reached a point where I didn’t really need to worry about our future. I’ve had some hobbies but not so active now. However it’s still great to do whatever I want or don’t want to do and somehow I always stay busy and wonder how I survived when I worked 50-60 hours a week. I suppose my wife did a HELL OF a LOT. It’s great to sleep until 10 or get up at 6 if you want without needing to explain to anyone. Want Tuesday to be Saturday? Poof it’s your TueSaturday!
14. For the most part, I am happier. I can tell you I am less stressed. I moved overseas in retirement and now spend time learning the language, experiencing my new home, and dealing with all the mundane things in life. I also have a dog now, and I couldn’t have one when working due to the time commitment.