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What Were Your First Few Weeks/Months of ER Like?

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Mr. McGibblets:
I enjoy reading about how different people react to early retirement. I think that this side of FIRE isn't commonly addressed - but it is a big deal to prepare for all of this free time you've never had before from a mentality standpoint. So - were your first few months of ER filled with keeping yourself busy to establish a new kind of work ethic / learning to adopt to this new lifestyle, or was it mostly relaxing? No right answer here :)

Financial.Velociraptor:
Six week video game and junk food bender.

DoubleDown:
Pure f*ing glee!

It took me several weeks to get used to the idea that I didn't have to be somewhere at a prescribed time or didn't have to be doing something. There was a nagging feeling that I should be somewhere. It was a bit like when you wake up on a Saturday morning at 5:00 am and think to yourself, "Bummer, I have to get up in an hour," then you realize, "No I don't, it's Saturday!" and you happily go back to sleep. Every time I thought, "I'm supposed to be doing something," I could remind myself that I didn't have to be at the Tuesday 2pm meeting, and it was great.

And that is an even bigger realization, at least it was for me. It's not just control over your time or daily activities -- when you realize that you alone are in control of your life, that there is literally no one who can tell you what to do -- that is awesome (except the wife, who is still under the illusion she calls the shots).

For a few months I gave myself permission not to do anything particularly productive, although I did find myself being productive nonetheless. Lots of naps, lots of working out, lots of doing whatever I felt like. After about 6 months I had a stronger desire to "do" something bigger, and so I took on larger projects.

I'm still grateful on a daily basis for the freedom. There is not a single day that goes by where I don't wake up and realize just how good I have it, and several times during the day I'm reminded of that as well when I'm doing enjoyable things that are not in an office.

Mr. McGibblets:

--- Quote from: DoubleDown on June 30, 2015, 09:16:12 AM ---Pure f*ing glee!

It took me several weeks to get used to the idea that I didn't have to be somewhere at a prescribed time or didn't have to be doing something. There was a nagging feeling that I should be somewhere. It was a bit like when you wake up on a Saturday morning at 5:00 am and think to yourself, "Bummer, I have to get up in an hour," then you realize, "No I don't, it's Saturday!" and you happily go back to sleep. Every time I thought, "I'm supposed to be doing something," I could remind myself that I didn't have to be at the Tuesday 2pm meeting, and it was great.

And that is an even bigger realization, at least it was for me. It's not just control over your time or daily activities -- when you realize that you alone are in control of your life, that there is literally no one who can tell you what to do -- that is awesome (except the wife, who is still under the illusion she calls the shots).

For a few months I gave myself permission not to do anything particularly productive, although I did find myself being productive nonetheless. Lots of naps, lots of working out, lots of doing whatever I felt like. After about 6 months I had a stronger desire to "do" something bigger, and so I took on larger projects.

I'm still grateful on a daily basis for the freedom. There is not a single day that goes by where I don't wake up and realize just how good I have it, and several times during the day I'm reminded of that as well when I'm doing enjoyable things that are not in an office.

--- End quote ---

From what I've seen, 4-6 months seems to be the threshold for allowing yourself time to adjust to this new lifestyle and free time. I really enjoyed reading your response - I think that (whenever I'm able to RE), I will be in the same boat. Just focusing on getting completely healthy physically and mentally, and then from there tackle whatever projects you set your mind to.

Just curious, what sorts of projects have you been working on?

Frankies Girl:
Lots of sleeping and couch surfing with bursts of activity involving long lists of household "to do" items I'd neglected over the last year.

First month or two, I was feeling disorientated and guilty that I wasn't working any more, so I had to do lots of stuff to prove to myself/husband that it was a good idea to quit. Which was funny as the husband was fine with me doing absolutely nothing most of the time (he'd seen first hand how stressed out I'd been and was much more sympathetic that I was to myself about all of this).

I'm coming up on 4 months out, and the list-making has slowed down considerably. I'm also choosing to do absolutely nothing some days and not feeling anxious about it any more.

Actually, the stress and anxiety levels have gone down significantly at this point, but it wasn't instant for me as soon as I left that last day. I had about a month of "did I make a mistake" feeling, even knowing 100% that I had not, and still am getting occasional work-based anxiety dreams. It's going to take a while with me I think.

I am no longer freaked out all the time and able to handle stuff easily when things go wrong, and I am back to being a more happy/positive personality in general. I'd veered into a very depressed and stressed out state for the last couple of years, and the personality change has been significant enough that it even surprises me.

Heath-wise, I've lost a significant amount of weight (husband as well) due to being able to cook more. We're both exercising more as well.

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