Great question Rob.
I treasure my freedom even more, as my 5th year of ER creeps up, along with my age. I find having even one scheduled commitment, seems to be too much! I know, weird to many, but I think many can relate. I love the freedom to do literally about whatever I want to do, whenever, and how much less stress this allows for, with an appreciative euphoric joy. Being much older than many on this forum, really hits home of just how fast life goes by, and NOTHING is more important than freedom, especially freedom and good health. I feel such pitty for those who think there is but a single path to living life, allowing a seemingly harmful defacto standard to rule their existence, leaving so many rocks left un-turned... Fear, envy, hate, selfishness, self-centered actions, bereft of kindness, love, and empathy... And even more disturbing, done so by choice, where the opposite actions take no greater effort.
I continue to have a very great sense of gratitude, and without being pushy, proselytize my message of ER to all who will listen -- Even volunteering to help a non-profit with their 403b plan, so they have an advocate to help them not be raped by pushy high cost program manager drones with silky ties, over-whitened teeth, and not a lick of shame. Funny too when you talk with some folks who think more $$$, would set their lives straight... You know, the kind who say "yeah, but I bet If I gave you $100,000, your tune would change... All I can do is be silent, and let the Cheshire cat smile on my face, leave them perplexed, smug in their conviction of false beliefs.
Funny too, is just how differently folks take to ER, fears of ER, and the great unknown. Some change completely, going from a virtual shut-in to world traveler, others the opposite, and folks like me who only have their pre ER convictions and life style magnified. I have no problem, no actually I revel in the reality of staying in my robe nearly all day, seemingly "doing nothing", aside from going out to exercise, and watch the world pass by... The freedom to stay, or leave, go to the store down the block, or say "fuck it, let's go to Denver" on the spur of the moment borders on ecstasy. I mean it, and it must be experienced to be understood, and NO ONE tires of the ecstasy of freedom. Good luck Rob.