Have relationships with family and friends changed post-FIRE?
Yes. For example, my job required lots of windshield time. People got used to me calling them as I inched my way toward home. Now, I'm rarely in the car for long periods of time. At home, I'm too busy to initiate calls or sit and blab on the phone. This means I've lost touch with a lot of people, or I only speak to them when I can eke out time for quick phone calls. Also, both of my parents have died since FIRE, so that's a huge change.
How do you handle professional relationships with people who still may be working?
My colleagues were/are spread all across the country. Of the people I was closest to in my last position, one died, one's wife just received a terminal cancer diagnosis, another who followed me into FIRE is so busy we only play phone tag. Another got married, so she's busier, too. We all used to cross paths at trade shows, conventions and corporate meetings. Now, that glue is gone. The friendships still exist, but the bonds are much weaker now.
I was also single until I was 54. I was free to travel wherever and whenever I wanted and travel I did. Those old Southwest Ding Fares allowed me to travel a lot on the cheap to visit friends, colleagues, and family. Now I'm married and my MIL and her pal Al Z. Heimer live with us, so I can't just get up and go any more. However, I love being with my husband and totally dig being at home with him every night. I don't want to travel without him and I can't believe it's me saying that! I'm ever so glad I did it when I could, so I don't feel trapped now.
Do you have opportunities to network/build new relationships post-FIRE [/color]
Hell, yes! I volunteer more with groups I was involved with pre-FIRE. I'm now the co-chair of an event where I was formerly a committee member. On another board, I'm now VP. I'm Hospitality Chair for another group that I joined post-FIRE. A new group is forming and the first meeting is tomorrow. I expect I'll know about half of the 50 women who will be there, mostly through these other connections. The difference is these new folks are local. We're connected by common interests, not by employers. I feel like I have deepened my connections and ties within my community, which is very satisfying.
Everything has its trade-offs. As we used to sing in Girl Scouts, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." (Bonus points if you know the tune and can sing along.)