Interesting question. I’ve gone back and reread my April 2024 post a couple of times.I'm curious how you feel about that post? In particular the attitude / graditude comment. Was that a helpful thing for you to do? Or with 20/20 hindsight would you do something different (find a different job, ask for fewer hours, etc)?Edit: interesting re-reading the thread including my post in April 2024, when I was still working!
I stand by the post, especially the attitude/gratitude comment. So much of our angst is built up by our own thoughts, inner stressors, type A methodology, over thinking etc. Having context about where we fit in this world, what impact we really have, and how finite time really is, is healthy imo. Some level of meditation/breath work/yoga etc can help get there for some ppl (it help me).
The only things I’d change about my first post:
- dealing with the kids and their schedule, changed very fast. One kid started driving. Helped the whole situation and our involvement has declined significantly. I joke my kids just need a DoorDash subscription in high school now.
- second, the finances changed pretty significantly for such a short time, a year and a half ago. We essentially went from 20X to close to 25X in that timeframe. Mind blowing. Plus, more import to our monthly budget, a PIA private school payment dropped just at the right time. Made living on one income doable.
Statistics: Posted by Wannaretireearly — Sun Jan 04, 2026 8:38 am — Replies 43 — Views 7195