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In early retirement, one question that often comes up is how to fill your time and manage relationships when you’re no longer working a 9 to 5 job. Life can seem a bit disorienting without that routine, but let me show you what my daily life looks like now.
When you have a job that takes up 40 hours a week, it’s hard to imagine how you could ever fill your days once you leave that behind. But trust me, my days are never boring.
First off, you’ll find you spend more time on the everyday tasks of life. When I was working, dinner was often a quick fix – maybe a frozen meal or something that took about 20 minutes to prepare. Leftovers went into a container for lunch the next day. Now, I take my time making a proper breakfast with homemade bread, eggs and beans (a common Guatemalan side dish), fresh tomato and garlic sauce, and a natural smoothie. I make everything from scratch, whether it’s pizza, crepes, quiches, or tortillas.
Once a week, I’ll go grocery shopping, carefully selecting products, comparing prices, and planning meals to avoid waste. Before, I’d just reorder the same things online and quickly grow tired of repetitive meals. It’s truly a pleasure to slow down and take my time with daily chores since the day is full of hours.
Additionally, I tackle those little tasks I never had time for before, like fixing leaks, oiling squeaky doors, attending my kids’ recitals, and joining HOA meetings. When I visit my family in Paris, I try to be helpful with tasks that are easy for me but challenging for them. Whether it’s painting my mom’s living room, ordering a new laptop battery, or fixing her bicycle, I try to lend a hand. But I’ve learned to draw the line—I won’t run basic errands for them unless I’m already heading to the store or post office. The whole point of retiring early was to have the freedom to spend my time as I choose.
Setting boundaries is important. If you used to carpool kids to school, keep the old schedule. Just because you have more free time doesn’t mean you should take on more responsibility. I let my sister know in advance if I can babysit, but I make sure to balance it with my own plans to see friends or do other activities.
If you’ve worked hard to achieve financial independence and early retirement, you likely have plans in mind—maybe traveling, spending more time with family, or starting a hobby. If you’re passionate about your retirement goals, your days will fly by.
People might still wonder what you do all day. It’s not really their business, but I’ve noticed that if you’re living an unconventional lifestyle, it can be hard for others to relate. Before, people would ask me extensively about my work and vacation plans. Now, even after a six-month trip to 20 countries, the conversation quickly shifts back to their jobs after a brief “how was your trip?” Remember, your job is just a way to pay the bills; it doesn’t define you. People might not understand your new lifestyle, so be patient and take an interest in their work instead.
Oh, and if you ever get bored in early retirement, you could always go back to work. Whether it’s for your old firm or something you’re passionate about, you don’t need the money, so you can even volunteer or work for free! Right now, my projects include three blogs, catering for guests at my house, managing a 90-acre land development, and semi-active Forex investing. My days are definitely full, but none of it feels like an obligation, which is the best part.
Have you thought about what you’d do in retirement or early retirement? What activities would fill your days? Are you worried about how your relationships might change if you stopped working?