I retired at 34 with $3 million—here are 5 downsides of early retirement that no one tells you
no matter how much of a boost we get in freedom or money, we eventually revert back to our normal baseline of happiness. ....... losing social interactions at work, a loss of purpose, boredom and depression. ...... Eventually, I grew tired of explaining why I retired early or that I wasn’t a trust fund kid. To keep the discussion simple and regain a social identity, I’d simply say I was a writer and tennis coach...... Many people think that once they achieve financial freedom or leave a job they hate, they’ll be permanently happier. ..... One a scale of one to 10, my happiness level skyrocketed to a 10 after I was able to negotiate a pretty solid severance. It was enough to pay for five years worth of living expenses. But not too long after that check hit my bank account, I reverted back to my normal post-retirement baseline of happiness. ....... Retiring early is like finishing the season finale of your favorite TV show. You’re glad it got a nice ending, but you’re also sad it’s over and left wondering what’s next...... We did a lot of traveling, but more importantly, we became parents, which renewed my sense of purpose. ...... Here’s the truth: If you’re unhappy before you retire early, it’s likely that you’ll still be unhappy after you retire. It’s better to figure out what’s at the very core of your issues and fix them first....... Early retirement isn’t the elixir to everlasting happiness, but it sure beats commuting to work and sitting in meetings all day long!
Financial Samurai
