Choosing to retire early is a purposeful decision that goes beyond leaving the workforce. It’s also a shift in life’s direction. In sharing my personal journey, I’ll talk about why I chose early retirement, navigating the decision-making process, overcoming challenges, and ultimately finding fulfillment in this unconventional path.
Retirement Plans in the Wake of the Pandemic
Before the pandemic, my second husband and I started talking about retirement after we settled into our new home in Davis. He, being a decade older, was ready to retire and hoped I would join him to share the experience. Consequently, I closed my business to pursue our shared dream.
Our vision was simple yet profound: to explore the world, whether near or far, and find a place to call home. The idea of joining the Peace Corps together was even on our minds. Driven by our shared dreams and desires for travel and adventure, we eagerly embraced early retirement.
Then the pandemic struck, shattering our retirement travel plans and ultimately, our relationship. Shortly after the pandemic’s onset, we sadly chose to part ways.
Having already closed my business, I pondered the possibility of continuing with my retirement and joining the Peace Corps. However, due to the pandemic’s constraints, that option was no longer viable.
As my daughters left for college, I faced a pivotal decision: return to work or pursue solo travel, reigniting the dream of exploration.
Returning to Work and Exploring New Paths
Feeling too young to remain retired and apprehensive about the unknown, I decided to reenter the workforce. As a longtime business owner, I was intrigued by the prospect of working for a company and whether it would provide professional fulfillment.
Then, my sister, who is a dentist, reached out and asked for my assistance in restructuring her dental practice. I agreed and dedicated nearly two years to helping her.
Initially, returning to work and assisting my sister’s practice was fulfilling. However, over time, I started craving a role that provided more challenges and personal fulfillment. Despite the emotional challenge of leaving my sister’s business, I departed in search of fresh opportunities.
Navigating Career Changes
After leaving my sister’s practice, I landed a job at a law firm with good pay and an interesting role working with people from diverse backgrounds. Despite the challenging two-hour commute each way, I was excited about the opportunity. However, I soon realized that my life had become solely about work, with no fulfillment beyond paying bills.
Following my departure, I entered a period of deep reflection to chart the course of my life. The necessity to return to work, driven by financial and personal considerations, weighed heavily on my mind. It took months of deliberation to assess my financial situation and determine my true aspirations.
With my daughters on the brink of graduation and soon to be independent, the choice lay squarely in my hands. While my parents longed for a more stable and traditional life, advocating for my return to work, it wasn’t an easy decision.
Choosing Early Retirement
I chose early retirement because I had to decide between returning to work to maintain my current lifestyle or downsizing and pursuing my dream of exploring the world. For me, the answer was clear.
After losing my ex-husband to a bike accident shortly after our separation, I realized how short life can be. He worked hard all his life to save for retirement but never got to enjoy it. This made me question the purpose of saving money if you can’t use it to enjoy your golden years.
Since I was self-employed for most of my life, I don’t have pensions or substantial retirement savings. I also didn’t start saving for retirement until later in life, so my savings weren’t enough to support my middle-class lifestyle if I retired early.
I had to downsize and find alternative ways to live well and pursue my travel dreams. If that meant relocating, I was willing to do so. Learning to travel on a budget became an important part of this new chapter, one that I eagerly embraced.
Fulfilling Dreams through Early Retirement
Deciding to pursue my dream of joining the Peace Corps and traveling was based on my lifelong aspirations. I’ve always wanted to explore other countries and make a positive impact. The Peace Corps seemed like the perfect opportunity to fulfill these goals.
For me, embarking on this journey wasn’t just about traveling. It was also about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and contributing to communities in need. It’s an opportunity to engage in volunteer work and immerse myself in diverse cultures while I still have my health.
Furthermore, from a financial standpoint, retirement and joining the Peace Corps made sense. By prudently leveraging the resources I’ve accumulated and being mindful of my expenditures, I could navigate this new chapter without financial strain.
Despite the sleepless nights spent pondering over the decision, the clarity of purpose and alignment with my values ultimately guided me towards retirement and embarking on this transformative journey. It represents not just a personal choice, but a commitment to living authentically and dedicating myself to service and exploration in the years ahead.
A Journey of Liberation and Fulfillment
The choice to retire and start anew has brought liberation and fulfillment. Since then, I’ve journeyed to Central America with my daughter, with more travels ahead. This experience has reinforced my belief that pursuing one’s desires demands bold action and often entails taking calculated risks.
Life’s unpredictability reminds me of its brevity, urging me not to let opportunities slip away. I aim to explore the wonders of the world and enrich my life through travel experiences—a newfound freedom I never imagined possible.
I am grateful for this opportunity and eagerly anticipate the unfolding of this new chapter in my life.
