Author Topic: Onboarding a new FIRE  (Read 11818 times)

The Pigeon

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Onboarding a new FIRE
« on: June 09, 2015, 04:51:43 PM »
Wow.
I'm pretty shell-shocked, coming to the realization that I'm never stepping foot in that office again. My mind keeps wandering back to last week's uncomfortable leaving-scenario, and I'm trying to push that stuff out, and just look forward. I needn't think about those people there ever again. I didn't like the job, and had been suffering a terrible trapped feeling from perceived obligation to the boss/staff and guilt because I'd only worked there 4 months. Much soul-searching, the support of a close friend and this MMM forum full of internet strangers helped me to do what was right FOR ME, and GTFO. I was trying to please everyone else at the expense of myself. (Unfortunately, this is a mindset which girls tend to be brought up with, and it can be very detrimental).
I feel some kind of lingering bad juju about the whole experience of working there (go away guilt! look out for #1). But now I'M F***ING DONE! Let it go, let it go, let it go.

That said, two days into "retirement" and it's been great, so far! I've slept as long as I wish in the morning.

I've prioritized my guitar playing, and spent 4 business hours (or more) per day digging in to songs, techniques and my lesson assignments. Sat outside in the sun with my guitar. Reading my books! Play with my pets. No time crunch to get to a 9-5 business. I'm free! Free! FREE! The Who --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRD_gIoVOmY

A leisurely lunch, an hour of housework (desperately needed due to filth buildup from being run ragged on the working-person's hamster wheel). I take a relax breaks as I feel like it. Maybe later I'll go get a fancy coffee. (My vice!).

I can't quite grasp that this scenario yet... that the time... ALL THE TIME... is MINE from now going forward. It's a revelation. I'm guessing that I won't quite "get" it for a while, seeing that I'm a newly-minted "graduate."

So far, so good! Nothing but good times--what *I* want to do with my time--ahead.

-The Pigeon

I'm sure this cartoon has been posted numerous times, but, posting it anyway!

Jon_Snow

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2015, 05:15:11 PM »
So FIRE is awesome? You are preaching to the converted my friend. :)


Frankies Girl

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2015, 06:00:30 PM »
Sounds like a fantastic start. So very happy for you. :D

It took me a little while for it to sink in - the anxiety/work dreams tend to linger and pop up even weeks after leaving - but it does get better every single day.


G-dog

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2015, 07:04:40 PM »

I'm free! Free! FREE! The Who --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRD_gIoVOmY

......

So far, so good! Nothing but good times--what *I* want to do with my time--ahead.

-The Pigeon


OMG! This song is perfect! I wish I would have remembered it when trying to think of an exit song.
I wish I knew how to make this play over the loudspeaker system, or through everyone's computer miss when I finally leave for the last time on July 2, 2015 (12 work days left)

Retired To Win

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2015, 07:14:20 PM »
... I've prioritized my guitar playing, and spent 4 business hours (or more) per day digging in to songs, techniques and my lesson assignments. Sat outside in the sun with my guitar. Reading my books! Play with my pets. No time crunch to get to a 9-5 business. I'm free! Free! FREE!...

You've done it right by having something you love to retire TO!

Good luck.

Financial.Velociraptor

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2015, 07:58:58 PM »
W00t!  Trust me, it gets better.

FIKris

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2015, 10:00:38 PM »
I get what you mean!  I just gave notice.  I'm kind of in a shell shocked state, it's hard to believe it's real.  Congrats to you too!

Dicey

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2015, 11:20:14 PM »
Great decision!

MDM

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2015, 12:56:32 AM »
I'm sure this cartoon has been posted numerous times, but, posting it anyway!

Or this one: http://i.imgur.com/tdSHBYk.png

Easy Does It FI

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2015, 07:27:05 AM »
That's awesome! How detailed have you planned out your year?

benjenn

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2015, 07:47:19 AM »
Oh my!  I can't WAIT to be in your shoes!  50 more days for me... 32 work days... and DH and I will be free, too.  Plus we're heading to the beach (for good!) the day after our last day.  Woo-hoo!  So happy for you... keep up the good work, er, I mean non-work.  :) Yeah, that's it.  That's the ticket.

The Pigeon

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2015, 09:35:56 AM »
I'm sure this cartoon has been posted numerous times, but, posting it anyway!

Or this one: http://i.imgur.com/tdSHBYk.png

Perfect! I **luuurrrvvveee** Calvin and Hobbes! :-)
Thanks for that one!
And happy trails to FIKristen & benjenn, it won't be long now!
@edifi, I haven't planned out too much--I need some breathing room first, but on the close horizon is enrolling in a couple music classes :-), sorting out my health insurance :-/, and putting research into some of the "big" things I've envisioned, such as going to college and doing an RV adventure.

Written whilst still laying in bed, having just awakened at 8:30am :-D,
-The Pigeon

Cowtown2011

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2015, 10:19:07 AM »
Congrats. I'm 41 days away from being FIRE'd, I gave my notice on June 2nd and committed to working until July 31st. I should have said June 30th but can't change it now.

Can't wait to be in your shoes. Enjoy!

Exflyboy

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2015, 11:06:46 PM »
Fantastic news!

I still have a to pinch myself 17 months later...Now all I have to worry about is keeping the retirement police off my back...hahahah..:)

as Frankies Girl noted, the "work nightmares will continue for a while.. But its so sweet to wake up..:)

Exflyboy

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2015, 11:53:52 AM »
I can't quite grasp that this scenario yet... that the time... ALL THE TIME... is MINE from now going forward. It's a revelation. I'm guessing that I won't quite "get" it for a while, seeing that I'm a newly-minted "graduate."

Only 2 more work days/4 more calendar days until I get to join you in this wild and crazy new world of FIRE!

It's going to be a head trip, I'm sure.  I actually deliberately scheduled an administrative errand (getting passport pages added to my/DD's passports) for Tuesday morning because I'm a little worried about what jumping into the void of no work is going to feel like.  The appointment isn't until 10:00, though, so I can get the kids up for school/fed/off to the bus, and then have a leisurely morning before heading out around 9:30.  May try to have lunch with old old boss after the passport thing -- he is actually very happy for me and it will be good to be able to vent a bit about what happened, especially now that I have absolutely no reason to be "professional" about it.   This is the guy who hired me even though I cried in my interview, so he gets me.

This is awesome... But its OK.. Breeeeaaath..:)

Nothing bad will happen, in fact not very much will happen at all... Its gonna be OK.

k290

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #15 on: June 11, 2015, 12:54:23 PM »
I really enjoy reading your posts Pigeon  Enjoy.

The Pigeon

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #16 on: June 11, 2015, 05:04:11 PM »
What FIRE looks like: Day 4 (see image)
2:30 pm. Working hard in my "cubicle" (front porch). And that "TPS report" in front of me is a book I've been wanting to read for months.
Sunny, 73°, cool breeze.

Thank goodness I slapped that OMY off the table. Hard.

:-)

-The Pigeon

Jon_Snow

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #17 on: June 11, 2015, 10:51:32 PM »
Better water that plant...

Evgenia

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2015, 06:47:21 PM »
I really enjoyed your post, Pigeon, and am enjoying following your story. These forums have brought me so much peace of mind and confidence. I'm not sure I could have made the leap without the kindness of strangers here.

Yesterday was my last day at work and I too am a bit shell shocked. Last night, after my exit interview, I was a ball of anxiety, unable to enjoy it. My Polish genes and upbringing were in full-on "You left a good paying job? You're insane. Better figure out what you're going to do next. Better get another job!" I actually said that to my husband: "Maybe I should get another job." He, bless him, only replied "Honey! We have seven years of runway IN THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT ALONE." That helped set me right.

I can't quite grasp "Never again. No office, no commute, it's all just... GONE!" I took an hour long hike in the sun today, sat in my garden with fresh juice I made, knit, read... I may even take a nap. It's slowly, slowly starting to sink in and oh, it's GLORIOUS.

For my own mental health, I'm chronicling it here:
https://evgeniagotfi.wordpress.com

G-dog

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2015, 07:02:11 PM »
Better water that plant...

LOL. Your green thumb is showing 😊

The Pigeon

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2015, 10:02:23 AM »
Monday morning.
Clocked in.
;-)

G-dog

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #21 on: June 15, 2015, 04:58:31 PM »
Monday morning.
Clocked in.
;-)

Hilarious! I see no signs of regret!

frompa

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #22 on: June 15, 2015, 07:35:39 PM »
Pigeon - Your glee is palpable. Keep these posts coming, please, and congratulations!!!

FIRE me

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #23 on: June 16, 2015, 10:20:54 AM »
https://evgeniagotfi.wordpress.com

I like your blog. A lot of outstandingly deep insights regarding job and work, and facts that I wasn't previously aware of such as Ford's Socialization Organization.

Cookie78

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #24 on: June 16, 2015, 10:39:21 AM »
I really enjoy reading your posts Pigeon  Enjoy.

+1

So excited and inspired to hear about all the new FIREs lately.

The Pigeon

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #25 on: June 16, 2015, 02:29:06 PM »
Today in the office:

This morning I was called into a meeting with my boss, Mr. Gibson (pictured).

We discussed an important upcoming project. Apparently, completion of this project will put our company giant steps ahead of the competition! And I'm in charge of it! It's an extremely difficult proposition, which, when analyzed, means it may need to be divided up and tackled in three large portions--*Major* thirds. I'll need to be sharp, because this project could easily go sideways and fall flat. (We're stretching the music in-jokes here--Dare I say I could be in a lot of treble if I fail? nyuk-nyuk).

Shortly after the meeting I was ushered along with Mr. Gibson into the "woodshed," which is slang around here for our war room/conference/strategy area--it's where we hunker down and focus on the best way to accomplish our goals and push the company forward. He and I will be working late tonight, from what Mr. Gibson says. :-/ This project comes with a lot of responsibility--It's up to *me* to make it work, and I'll be very hands-on. And so it is, as I jump from the frying pan into the *FIRE*!

ha ha.
;-)
-The Pigeon

Evgenia

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #26 on: June 16, 2015, 06:16:27 PM »
Thank you, FIRE Me. Appreciate the kind words about my blog.

I had to laugh: it took two full days for my employer to contact me about a part-time contract. On Friday morning, I might have said yes. Today, a few full days into FIRE, and uh uh. It would interfere with my other stuff too much.

Our house looks much like yours, Pigeon! Today we're practicing turning into my grandparents: a few hours at the climbing gym, a couple of errands, lunch (our "main meal" as my Grandma would say), a nap at home and a Coursera class. Ah well, there are worse people to emulate.

The Pigeon

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #27 on: June 24, 2015, 11:38:05 AM »
Checking in from the office...

A busy week so far, 25 miles ridden. Up from nearly zero before FIRE.
:-D

-The Pigeon <--who can't really fly*, but  bicycling is pretty close!

*without a plane ticket
« Last Edit: June 24, 2015, 11:39:46 AM by The Pigeon »

firedup

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Re: Onboarding a new FIRE
« Reply #28 on: June 25, 2015, 01:08:23 AM »
Sounds like a fantastic start. So very happy for you. :D

It took me a little while for it to sink in - the anxiety/work dreams tend to linger and pop up even weeks after leaving - but it does get better every single day.

You got that right sistah!!! 8 months out and the anxiety / work dreams / nightmares are still there. But it is slowly getting better and sinking in. Best to OP!