The Contentment Factor

[dude]

Scott Burns is my favorite PF guy out there after MMM. He's got a good piece today on typical characteristics of retired people.  Doesn't speak to early retirement specifically, or break new ground, but it's well done, I think.

http://assetbuilder.com/scott_burns/the_contentment_factor

[Chranstronaut]

I think the last sentence sums up the general idea perfectly:

"But learning what makes you feel happy and content qualifies as a major piece of our retirement planning. "

[Beric01]

The young find their happiness in excitement. Older people find their happiness in contentment— enjoying small moments rather than big events.

This might explain why I find myself so different than others my age. I simply don't find happiness in excitement. I've never been into thrills or the like. Big life events are simply not a big deal to me - I take pleasure in small moments instead.

[Chranstronaut]

The young find their happiness in excitement. Older people find their happiness in contentment— enjoying small moments rather than big events.

This might explain why I find myself so different than others my age. I simply don't find happiness in excitement. I've never been into thrills or the like. Big life events are simply not a big deal to me - I take pleasure in small moments instead.

I suspect this is what people usually mean when they say you have an old soul.  You're just cruising on contentment before everyone else.