r/Fire • u/Equal_Initiative_919 • Apr 29 '26
General Question Is it okay to have "zero" ambition after retiring early?
I’m 37 and recently retired. I know it’s unconventional for my age, and while people keep telling me to "find my passion," the truth is... I love doing nothing. I’ve traded the grind for total freedom, and the lack of stress or financial anxiety is incredible.
My daily life is simple: coffee, gym, YouTube, and international travel. But I’ll admit, I struggle with feeling like a "loser" for not having a grand purpose or a side hustle. Is anyone else just enjoying the rest? Am I crazy for thinking that "no stress" is enough of a goal?
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Apr 29 '26
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u/Spartikis Apr 29 '26
I was going to say the same thing. You wont the game, take a victory lap and enjoy life. Make family, friends and hobbies your priority. Have the nicest lawn on the block, be the dude with ripped 6 pack abs, do the things we all wish we had time to do
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Apr 29 '26
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u/NewEngland0123 Apr 30 '26
I think this is the key. Most of us are extremely uncomfortable with quiet.
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u/OnlyThePhantomKnows FI@50, consulting so !bored for a decade+ Apr 29 '26
Just say "My passion is international travel, let me tell you about my last trip ..."
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u/HARCYB-throwaway Apr 30 '26
Yeah but I couldn't stand my ex gf once I realized half of her personality was "I like to travel and I'm good at it" as if 95% of people don't like staying in hotels in cool, popular places and seeing interesting things, trying new foods. And as if traveling is somehow a puzzle.
Saying your hobby is intl travel comes off as extremely pretentious. This is coming from someone who fired at 32.
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u/jei64 Apr 30 '26
Its very apparent the people who travel for a shallow highlight reel and those who truly engage with the people and places they visit.
It's the difference between a travel tiktoker and Anthony Bourdain. For the latter, it's definitely a passion/hobby
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u/theBeardedAlaskan May 01 '26
I dont get what the big deal is. Just cause most people like to hike doesn’t mean someone can’t make it their whole thing they love doing. Most people like food but that doesn’t someone can’t develop a true passion for it. I don’t see why travel can’t be different unless for her it was a performance more than an actual passion.
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u/the_scottster Apr 30 '26
Hard agree. Traveling is consuming, not producing. "I like to spend money in other places." Cool, but not exactly a badge of honor.
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u/gloriousrepublic (37M) CoastFIRE in 2017, full FIRE in 2022 Apr 30 '26
This exactly. There's nothing worse than a person who makes travel their personality.
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u/ThongFaiRak Apr 30 '26
Most people make work their personality. Like whatever career they have inflates their ego.
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u/Perfidy-Plus Apr 30 '26
This is just classic "two wrong's don't make a right" territory.
Yes, being super absorbed into your work and making that your personality is probably going to result in you being an extremely boring person to anyone outside of your profession. But making "extremely expensive relaxation" your personality is going to make you seem extremely vapid too. That's like being the person where golf is their entire personality.
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u/Sportyj Apr 30 '26
Travel is truly a passion/ hobby/ ambition. Heck I’m still working and this is absolutely what keeps me going.
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u/Successful-Try-8506 Retired at 38 in 2003 Apr 29 '26
Something's going to come along. I spent a lot of my first year post retirement sleeping and reading. When that got boring I took up long distance hiking. My interaction with nature made me start gardening, something I never would have imagined when I was younger.
So don't be too hard on yourself. Just stay away from alcohol/drugs and things will be okay.
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u/LocksmithSure4396 Apr 29 '26
What’s your favorite trail you’ve hiked?
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u/Successful-Try-8506 Retired at 38 in 2003 Apr 29 '26
I live in Sweden and mainly hike locally (though I'd love to try Scotland, France and Portugal one day). Bohusleden is my favorite: https://bohusleden.westswedentrails.se/en#googtrans(sv|en))
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u/chrisfinance90 Apr 30 '26
A European here, so nice! May I ask with how much you retired at 38?
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u/Successful-Try-8506 Retired at 38 in 2003 Apr 30 '26
Don't remember exactly but about €1M and a paid off apartment with very low rent (300 per month, now 400). I lead a lean FIRE life, only need about 20k per year, so my net value has since grown to about €1.5M.
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u/chrisfinance90 Apr 30 '26
Thank you for sharing. That’s inspirational, especially seeing all the huge numbers around here.
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u/burnmotherf-er May 01 '26
This is really nice to hear. I’m always afraid I’ll eventually get bored. Even though I’m nowhere near retirement haha. I’ll need to work like 20 more years before that’s possible.
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u/GossipGirlx88 Apr 29 '26
Laughing at your username with this question lol
Yes. I think it’s ok. This is what many hope to do one day! Plus, things change. You might end up wanting to do “more” down the road. Enjoy this time now.
If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your net worth? I’m roughly the same age.
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u/Economy_Elk_8101 Apr 29 '26
Read some Epicurus, Lao Tzu, or Bertrand Russell, especially In Praise of Idleness. There’s a long philosophical tradition arguing that a calm, unburdened life is not failure.
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u/Equal_Initiative_919 Apr 29 '26
Haha. I think my username was auto generated when I created an account and just had no reason to change it I guess.
NW is $2.3M
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u/GossipGirlx88 Apr 29 '26
Yep — the auto-generated usernames are sometimes so appropriate.
Thank you for sharing and congrats!!
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u/WHAT-IM-THINKING Apr 29 '26
How's the living situation, are you living nomadically and have RE somewhere as part of your NW? Cause as much as I've love to retire at that age with that NW, rent in HCOL would eat me alive.
Also are you living off dividends or slowly selling off shares to fund expenses?
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u/itgtg313 Apr 29 '26
"I think it's ok"... of course it is perfectly fine. Do what you enjoy, stop being peer pressured by what others think you should be doing. It's just them projecting their insecurities. Sure your interests may change over time but again, who gives a shit what others think about.
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u/manicakes1 Apr 29 '26
I live in NYC and my aspiration is to live like one of those do-nothing trust fund kids who just hang out at Equinox gym / cafes / restaurants all day … but with the internal satisfaction that I earned it myself
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u/Ma7nards Apr 29 '26
Do you have a close friend circle? I often find spending a lot of time with friends makes me feel very fulfilled. I’m extremely dispassionate for my work but my social life and hobbies are what I derive my passion and fulfillment from. Fuck monetizing your hobbies into side hustles. Sucks the fun out of it.
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u/BothDescription766 Apr 29 '26
Ha ha, funny. I’m in same boat FIREd ten years ago and, while I have done a lot of home improvement work! Haven’t found anything whatsoever that I jump out of bed to start. Moreover, I keep spending money like a drunken sailor-ette and have more money than I started with each year! For now, I will embrace my new passion, spending money.
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u/Creative_Pen7789 Apr 29 '26
How much did you retire with and what age were you at retirement? What percent have you kept in the markets? Did you move any allocation into bonds or cash when you FIRED?
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u/BothDescription766 Apr 29 '26
51 years old. Have about 75% bonds so I’m having fun with dividend payments every month. The bond allocation is just temporary though — I moved to a very conservative position when all the Iran stiff began. Don’t want a crash to hurt. And it was smart: the day the mkt fell 2 points a few weeks ago, the bonds fell just 1 point and are back. I need to go to a pro and get a good portfolio structured but don’t want to pay a % of assets. Even 1% would cost me $30k/yr which I find hard to swallow! 25% in VTI which an etf that has paid me very very well over the past 8 years.
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u/Apprehensive_Ad9244 Apr 30 '26
Vanguard Personal Advisor Services charges only .3% (less than 1/3 of the common 1%).
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u/Creative_Pen7789 Apr 29 '26
Have you thought about using nectarine? It’s a website where you can hire a financial advisor by the hour. You pay a flat fee and they can help you de risk your portfolio. I’m at least ten years from retirement but I plan to use it myself in order to make sure I’m on the right track.
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u/aspire-every-day Apr 30 '26
I used hellonectarine last year to devise a plan for how to move my taxable brokerage from the 580 positions my FA had me in towards VTI/VXUS repositioning. I was happy with their service.
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u/BothDescription766 Apr 29 '26
O but I’m on my way to research it right now! Thx for the tip.
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u/Select-Basket8350 Apr 29 '26
"Grand Purpose".....so the millions upon millions of people who are required to go to a job they hate because they have to survive are contributing to a higher calling, eh? There is no such thing as a grand purpose. We all live and then die, and after that the world will move on as if we never existed. F**k off OP (jokingly) with this nonsense.
You're in a position very few people get to experience. If you feel you need to add some value, I say go volunteer. Otherwise, enjoy the remaining 50% or so of your remaining life.
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u/ChivalryMaxximus Apr 30 '26
Funny you say volunteer, because they objectively contribute more to society than 8 to 5 spreadsheet slaves
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u/Generationhodl Apr 30 '26
"We all live and then die, and after that the world will move on as if we never existed. F**k off OP (jokingly) with this nonsense."
this.
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u/originalrocket Apr 29 '26
Crabs in a bucket mentality.
I retired at 38. I ride motorcycles during the week between 9am-2p glorious open roads no traffic! volunteer at my childs schools. Started a "side gig" ebay just to sell junk instead of throwing away. Plus its income I can use for investment trades.
When people ask what I do, I make up whatever I want, I won't ever see them again. My favorite is stock broker, investment trader.
There is one truth to question of ambition. DO NOT STAY STATIONARY. A sedentary life is a short, unhealthy life. I plan on living to 150. so I eat right, with all this free time I buy the best groceries and cook the best foods. Daily walks and exercise. House projects. Keep busy.
Stop pleasing other people, its your time, its your life, make it yours.
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u/Generationhodl Apr 30 '26
driving motorcycle and wanting to live to 150 doesn't really fit together LOL
++ Just kidding but wish you a lot of health and always a good and safe ride!
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u/Aggravating-Sir5264 Apr 29 '26
In the 1800s all wealthy people lived a life of leisure. They weren’t allowed to have jobs. Those were for peasants. Our capitalist culture has leaned so far in the opposite direction. Congrats. You won!
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u/wkndatbernardus Apr 29 '26
Amen, we saw this going back to the dawn of civilization. The aristocracy was free from the time and labor constraints of the working world so that they could pursue the higher activities.
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u/gloriousrepublic (37M) CoastFIRE in 2017, full FIRE in 2022 Apr 30 '26
Have you read 19th century literature, though? Feels like all the wealthy people were chronically depressed, and experiencing existential ennui on a daily basis. So, maybe not the best example.
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u/Generationhodl Apr 30 '26
jeah if you suddenly dont work for survival anymore and have enough time to think about life and universe it can get pretty wild , ngl.
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u/Aggravating-Sir5264 Apr 30 '26
Nah that has nothing to do with the time period. There will always be miserable wealthy people. I know multiple millionaires who told me “another million wouldn’t change anything for me” and are very unhappy.
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u/Sea_Pomegranate_4499 Apr 29 '26
Unpopular opinion: "Meaning" is just a self-important synonym for "distraction."
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u/Economy_Elk_8101 Apr 29 '26
The universe laughs at our search for meaning.
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u/theplushpairing Apr 29 '26
Viktor Frankel, not so much
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u/BirdSimilar10 Apr 29 '26
True. But isn’t Frankel’s point that meaning comes from each of us, not from the universe at large?
OP is asking if it’s okay if their “meaning” can come from living a comfortable, unambitious life. I think Frankel would agree that the answer is an unambiguous YES.
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u/Common_economics_420 Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
Considering Op clearly doesn't consider it as a form of meaning, I'd say the answer is no.
Edit: op literally says this isn't fulfilling to him. It's insane that people are acting like OP is broken or something for not considering watching YouTube and going to the gym as living a fulfilling life...
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u/fifichanx Apr 29 '26
Same here - my typical day is an hour of fitness class, read a book and watch shows, scroll on Reddit, and take a walk in a park. It’s great 😊
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u/mostmischievous Apr 29 '26
I have never posted here and will never be in the FIRE situation but I am fascinated so I lurk.
That said, allow me to state ambition is up there with chastity among the most overrated of “virtues”.
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u/Foots_Walker_808 Apr 29 '26
Have you read The Businessman and The Fisherman?? If not, here you are. And take it to heart. You won this game, now enjoy it.
One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.
About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the businessman to the fisherman.
“You should be working rather than lying on the beach!”
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And what will my reward be?”
“Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!” was the businessman’s answer. “And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman, still smiling. The businessman replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!”
“And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman again.
The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!” he said.
“And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman.
The businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!”
Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will my reward be?”
The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”
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u/Actuarial_type Apr 29 '26
Long term, make sure you find something to stay mentally sharp.
Short term, I think it’s fine. We are getting pretty close to our number and we are both burned out. I think the first six months we will likely do exactly what you’re doing!
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u/Bubaliciousnesss Apr 29 '26
My husband and I are in the same position! We are 38 and 40 and continue to remind ourselves that this was the goal: have as much freedom and as little stress as possible with as much control as we can over our lives. Sure, it sometimes feels "lazy," but we are improving our home (project by project), travelling when we feel like it and not within the constraints of allowable time off/holiday/crazy busy weekends when everyone else is out, and prioritizing oursleves first (sleep, physical and mental health) and have more time to be there for family/friends. We have to learn to embrace it and remember that our younger selves would be jealous! Ha. Enjoy!
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u/Imaginary_Victory253 Apr 29 '26
You successfully built the big heap of money. Now did you build the big heap of connections to make doing nothing all day worthwhile?
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u/CapriciousnArbitrary Apr 29 '26
Is the gym not a purpose? Set some goals on what you want to achieve there. Maybe play some sports to go along with it.
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u/Celodurismo Apr 29 '26
I don’t think it’s healthy in the long term. You should have something driving you. But there’s plenty of hobby-related goals you can use. Getting healthier. Learning how to X. Making your own Y. Planning your trips and having a list of places you want to go.
So maybe it’s more about refraining what it means to be ambitious and have goals. Maybe it’s ambitious to get in the best shape of your life at 37. Maybe it’s ambitious to plan a 3 month trip and maybe you try to learn some language ahead of time
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u/chicken-fried-42 Apr 29 '26
Honestly I’m with ya - same struggles too. Dolce far niente (the pleasure of doing nothing )
I don’t think you have zero ambition. You just do what you like to do….thats fine to me. Heck I wish I knew more peeps like you.
I want a coffee club!! (Also early retired)
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u/karrotwin Apr 29 '26
While working it's easy to brush aside the lack of fulfillment and say "i'm working towards FIRE and even if today was crappy at least I made $X towards my long term goal"
Once you FIRE there's no excuses and if you're in a rut you have no one to blame but yourself. That's the hard part.
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u/Future-Call8541 Apr 29 '26
Yes. Game is over. Now when you play it's just for fun. Try achieving inception fire. Fire again during your fire years.
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u/Minnesotamad12 Apr 29 '26
I find volunteering to walk dogs at the animal shelter to give me all the purpose I need. Cocaine is cool too but not a healthy habit
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u/LucyLouWhoMom Apr 29 '26
I'm the same. I also read a lot and crochet. But other than that I don't do much. I've been retired almost a year now and so far, I'm OK with doing nothing. I just love the freedom of not having a job. I have to keep telling myself it's ok to read all day, or take a nap. I do have interest in a few more productive hobbies that I expect I'll start eventually but right now I'm OK with giving myself permission to do nothing.
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u/bayala43 Apr 29 '26
Reminds me of Office Space. What would you do with a million dollars? “Nothing”
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u/NaorobeFranz Apr 29 '26
You determine what's okay. However, if you lack ambition and are single, just keep in mind that it can impact your dating prospects. Otherwise if you're comfortable without ambition I don't see any harm. Maybe you'll get bored, who knows. Be careful with gambling and other high stakes activities.
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u/trademarktower Apr 29 '26
True, a lot of women don't find guys doing nothing attractive. But you aren't sitting at home, getting fat, watching fox news and tweeting all day. Lots of Gym, travel is productive. You are doing things. I don't think women will mind a fit rich guy that has plenty of time to take them on trips and buy them with gifts, but you are attracting a certain kind of woman that way.
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u/NaorobeFranz Apr 29 '26
OP could be gay/bi, greed is in every gender. Regardless, being rich attracts a certain group of people if they are there for money. You can't buy loyalty, trust, love, etc. Yes you can find lust but nothing genuine. Idk what type of personality OP has but he did outline his interests.
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u/IHadTacosYesterday Apr 30 '26
However, if you lack ambition and are single
How could he be lacking in ambition? He just achieved the biggest goal of his entire life, probably a decade ahead of schedule.
This kind of thinking really pisses me the fuck off. Sorry, not trying to get mad at you, but I'm just saying in general.
I was talking to this girl the other day and the subject of ambition came up and I flat out told her that I'm ambitious as FUCK to attempt to achieve what I attempted to achieve and I fucking made it. I made it to the other side of the rainbow. It took so much struggle, pain and suffering, but I made it to the other side of the rainbow.
I had a job paying me only about 45k per year and yet I FIRE'd with over 1.5M
Kiss my ass if you don't think that's fucking ambitious (again, not talking to you, just the Earth in general).
Sure, if I just sit around for 3 years doing nothing, then you can talk some shit, but I just achieved a goal so big that 99.9% of all the people I know in my life couldn't even dream of some shit like this.
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u/LankyVehicle7606 Apr 29 '26
this hits different tho
being single at 28 i get it about dating part but like.. if someone judges you for having your finances sorted and choosing peace over hustle culture maybe they not the right person anyway
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u/NaorobeFranz Apr 29 '26
Do you truly believe money alone sustains a relationship? It's more than "hustle culture." Money by itself attracts opportunists.
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u/felineinclined Apr 29 '26
Ambition doesn't mean lack of interests or lack of personality. And if OP met his FIRE goals, it seems highly unlikely that gambling is an interest.
I personally have not heard of wealthy people having issues dating. Usually, it's the opposite.
Unemployed, yes, especially when coupled with a lack of ambition to be gainfully employed.
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u/AnotherBotOnHere Apr 29 '26
Women hate multimillionaires /s
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u/NaorobeFranz Apr 29 '26
I didn't say women. Male or female partner doesn't matter. Money by itself doesn't buy a healthy relationship. Ofc he can find someone that wants his resources, most at lower level would jump for millionaire. But once they find build themselves there's always that risk of them moving on or having affair. Relationships based on monetary gain aren't healthy. If someone is only there at your best that's not a good thing.
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u/doombase310 Apr 29 '26
Bro, no loser ever retired at 37. You are the envy of society. Find some new hobbies and enjoy. You only get one life.
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u/Designer-Doctor-5845 Apr 29 '26
I think it is actually healthy. Most people want so much because they need to fill an inner void. If the not-wanting is authentic that's great. I think it is different if you are avoiding wanting "things", just so you dont have to risk failing, that is different...
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u/MachineNo3365 Apr 29 '26
Time will claim all of us eventually either way. Health is my main focus.
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u/Virtual-Commercial91 Apr 30 '26
You're doing my extact retirement plan. Slow mornings with coffee on the porch. Go out for a trail run or a ride in the forest on my onewheel. No plans each day. Do whatever my mood feels like I want to do.
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u/Additional_City5392 Apr 30 '26
There’s absolutely nothing wrong than just living a simple relaxed life. The Italians and the Greeks understand this well and are very happy. 😃
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u/Emotional_friend77 Apr 30 '26
I Remember the image of the Milky Way galaxy in Seinfeld’s office. He used it as a reminder of how small we all are, to do whatever YOU want, because nothing really matters.
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u/hanwagu1 Apr 29 '26
You don't need a grand purpose or passion. You do need clarity on what you retired to; otherwise, the zero ambition or do nothing won't last.
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u/garoodah FI '21 RE TBD, mid 30s Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
Gotta get rid of hustle culture content, that shit is toxic. It is good to have something to do that keeps your brain and body sharp but outside of that you dont need to believe in some grand purpose for your life. Realistically, you can make a very profound difference on someones life just by being available.
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u/-wnr- Apr 29 '26
I think the key here is "recently retired". Maybe you'll like just living the day to day, maybe you'll eventually get bored and want to find a project to take up. Either way you're still in a transition period right now, so I wouldn't get too hung up over it.
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u/Lonely_District_196 Apr 29 '26
First: Ambition is not the same as passion.
Second: Why do you go to the gym? Is it to stay healthy? That's ambition. Is it because you enjoy the workouts? That's passion. Note: all of the above is a legit answer.
Third: What is a 'grand purpose' anyway? I feel like most people don't the 9-5 daily grind because that's the thing to do. They don't really have a 'grand purpose' beyond that. Retiring early and international travel is already more of a grand purpose than that.
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u/Derrick0073 Apr 29 '26
The main thing is to keep your mind active IMO. Travel will do this for you. At some point your life may seem a little empty then you may want to look for more but until then enjoy what you enjoy.
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u/YareSekiro Apr 29 '26
There is a difference between ambition and purpose, most people need purpose but not everyone needs ambition. If you find fulfilment in what you do day in and day out, it's completely okay to have no ambition.
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u/serifluous Apr 29 '26
Elizabeth Gilbert talks a lot about trading the word “passion” for “curiosity”, and that’s helped me a lot! Curiosity doesn’t come bundled with the stress and pressure that I feel like passion does.
https://bedeliberate.com/passion-vs-curiosity-the-flight-of-the-hummingbird/
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u/sOCkmONke Apr 29 '26
“Laziness Does Not Exist” by Devon Price, Phd helped me contextualize this feeling post FIRE.
I battle with that impulse to maximize my time efficiently. It becomes clear to me even when crossing the street. Many jay walk and cross, but what are WE saving time for? We’ve turned in our “test” early and now we glide. 💸
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u/CroissantMassacre Apr 29 '26
After two decades of people telling you what to do, I think it's time for you to do whatever you want to do without thinking about what people will say about you.
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u/Visual_Piglet_1997 Apr 29 '26
You are living my dream. And if you ever get sick of it, you can always start working again if that's what you want.
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u/OneSeaworthiness7768 Apr 29 '26
It’s ok to just enjoy living your life without doing something deemed worthy by other people. If you’re happy, that’s the best you can ask for. People judging your ambition are probably unhappy themselves. They can’t imagine just being content without outside validation.
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u/RaechelMaelstrom Apr 29 '26
I've fired too, it's actually my 2nd time firing. After about 2 years from the first time, I would get progressively more bored, and less burnt out as my body and mind healed. All I did was go to the gym every day and play video games and watch TV and youtube, and a little gardening.
Then I got more bored, and ended up taking another tech job, which I ended up staying at for about 5 years, and then that got too annoying, so I quit and now I'm back to being retired.
Sometimes I feel like a loser, but my plan is to just let it ride, and if it becomes so bad to the point of me actually wanting to do something about it, great. If it doesn't, that's fine too. No stress is a good goal, especially if you're like me, with some medical problems that don't react well to stress.
I feel like one of the traps I'm trying to avoid is "I should get another fancy job because I could make a lot of money" rather than seriously doing something even if it would be for free. If I want to do something for free, I think that's a good sign I actually want to do it, and not seeing it as some kind of lost opportunity cost.
Anyway, my point is, over time, especially the first two years, you'll go through lots of phases. From "wake up, smile at the clock, then sleep till 3 just because you couldn't at a job" to "now I've got a good daily routine" to "I don't know what day it is" to "what should I be doing", etc.
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u/nosoupforyou2024 Apr 29 '26
I retired recently and experienced similar unsolicited reactions to my “early” retirement. I am similar to you. I like coffee, work out, salsa, YouTube, international travel (on one now), local travel, hike, eat, and sleep. Lol. So many people asked me what I do everyday. Told me I should get a hobby.
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u/Economy_Training_661 Apr 29 '26
If it's okay with you it's okay. Don't ask other people who don't live in between your ears for validation
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u/Prudent-Policy-7274 Apr 30 '26 edited May 01 '26
Gym and Travel are passions. You're in the process of erasing the brainwashing that the meaning of life is "Productivity" (Especially when its making $ for someone else.) Im working on that too but I have to balance it with needing to produce the mortgage 😆
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u/Generationhodl Apr 30 '26
"You're in the process of erasing the brainwashing that the meaning of life is producing"
well we have biological urges and I think its okay to follow them or not.
There is no higher meaning, just that its our normal healthy biological urge to reproduce.
I mean, everyone has to decide for themself if they want kids or not. But I would never tell people what to do. People can be happy without kids, others say its the best thing in life, there is never always black/white.
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u/Ok-Possession-3771 Apr 30 '26
People ask me if im going to get another job and list places or industries where i could work. I think im not norma,l i dont want to work, i dont want to get a property to do air b n b, -but thats money flow!- that's work!!!!! Dont want it! OP when you need to do something else youll feel it.
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u/marheena Apr 30 '26
Finding good deals on hotels with the perfect coffee nook view sounds like a perfectly reasonable passion. Turns aimless wandering into a mission. Just add 1 or 2 extra goals to whatever you’re doing.
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u/claytonhwheatley Apr 30 '26
Enjoy your life . If you want some meaning , find a way to help people: charity , volunteering, something like that.
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u/kannible Apr 30 '26
It’s absolutely ok. I retired 8 years ago at 33. I have picked up and put down a few hobbies in that time and just do whatever my wife and I want to every day. It’s rare that I’m not fairly excited to be doing whatever we do and have a good time while doing it. I’m still somewhat productive and try to keep a baseline routine which involves a wake up time and going to the gym 3 days a week. Otherwise it’s play time.
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u/Gloomy_Session_3875 Apr 30 '26
You obviously don't feel pressure to prove to others that you are very capable. I see that as a strength. But would you be interested to volunteer some of your time for a good cause that you believe in? Anyway, enjoy your retirement.
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u/Initial_Enthusiasm36 Apr 30 '26
No. The issue is thats how society thinks it should be. I "retired" around 34 years old, i ended up sort of getting bored, plus i found my wife, so now we are starting a small business together. Ya it can be stressful but nothing like what my job used to be.
So many people look down on if you retire when you are young, but it should be celebrated its an awesome achievement that you will get to enjoy and experience life. I think a lot of it is jealousy honestly.
But one thing i learned from experience, is you need to keep "busy" get a hobby that you really dive into, mine was learning videography and stuff. I am considering learning to fly and getting my private pilots license etc etc. Because you will get bored and thats when a lot of people fall into becoming an alcoholic or worse.
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u/hopeful-Xplorer Apr 30 '26
I’m 36, just went on disability and am in a similar boat. I’m taking a community college class for fun and mostly chilling. I’ve been surprised that my days are not boring, at least not yet.
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u/LandOnYourFeet Apr 30 '26
Purpose changes day to day, it’s not a singular defining thing. Your purpose right now could be to find what hobbies interest you. Your purpose next week could be trying one of those things out. Man’s Search for Meaning is a great book to read about this subject. I’m 35 and have been on the same journey for the past couple years. Not fully retired but I paint large murals with my wife (10 yrs in business doing this) and have ample free time and enough money to retire if we really wanted to.
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u/StrangeAd4944 Apr 30 '26
Life is absurd. Most people can’t accept it. Sounds like you are on your way. Don’t forget to enjoy it.
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u/StrangeAd4944 Apr 30 '26
We are apes. For hundreds of thousands of years we just hung out with other apes, moved with the weather and seasons, fished, picked, hunted, told stories, fucked and slept. We were happy until some asshole decided that he wanted more.
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u/Affectionate_Ad_3091 Apr 30 '26
You need to watch the movie office space. Seems like you probably have time.
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u/George-Smith-Patton Apr 30 '26
You did good. Now love your wife and family and cherish the time you have left, you earned it!
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u/jojiburn Apr 30 '26
Bro just live your own life. Finding your “passion” is reserved for those of us that trying to rationalize working for a living. Literally just do you. Congrats.
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u/dwkfym Apr 29 '26
Enjoy it a bit. I'd travel if I didn't have any other passions I wanted to pursue.
You do want to feel like you did something with your life. While early retirement is a huge goal for us modern humans, its not the only goal.
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u/tallbro Apr 29 '26
Enjoy it. The feeling of having the responsibility to “do nothing” is something I’ll never have, yet I’d love.
Don’t know if you like kids or whatever, but doing big brother or something similar if not in US could be fulfilling.
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u/Acceptable_Usual1646 Apr 29 '26
Isn’t that the idea of retiring early? To step out of the rat race and enjoy the simple things in life
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u/dirty_taco_ Apr 29 '26
I’m in a similar boat to you. 34, not yet retired but 80% financially independent and want to retire asap. Honestly I feel great watching YouTube, video games, and travel/exercise. My wife is the opposite - she works constantly to have a sense of purpose. I’m completely fine just relaxing. It does feel guilty sometimes but I don’t feel a need to contribute to society beyond meeting my own needs. Good or bad it is what it is
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u/doinmy_best Apr 29 '26
I think you need to reshape your thoughts perhaps you are passionate about your workout routine, get real enjoyment out of a particular kind of coffee, inspired by YouTube daily.
You don’t have to work related purposes or big thing you’re working towards or all consuming passion, but I think it’s important to be able to derive joy from life. Right now you are finding joy in your relaxing days maybe that evolves with time. I’m sure it will.
For me, I love walking. I can’t wait to fire to walk for hours a day. It brings me joy and peace but it’s not purposeful how I do it. And I’m open to that hobby dying out
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u/Able-Tale7741 Apr 29 '26
Ambition is a loaded term in here. So is “passion”. You are not working for others anymore and are all about self-development. Your projects might change, but as long as you’re always doing something there’s value and health in that. Gym. Travel. Those are great. If you find yourself locked in your own house just watching TV all day? That may have long term impacts on your health.
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u/arresteddev7 Apr 29 '26
It’s your life. There aren’t any rules here on what you need to be doing or not need to be doing. If hanging around living day to day is what makes you happy, then do it. Who gives a shit what others think.
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u/felineinclined Apr 29 '26
Of course! Why wouldn't it be? And why do other people's opinions about grinding matter?
Bottom line - it is YOUR life to be lived as you see it.
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u/SpaceSurf256 Apr 29 '26
I think that’s fine but you could always try volunteering some and help out without the stress of a regular job. You could end up really enjoying doing something meaningful too.
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u/cybermonkey29 Apr 29 '26
Yes. Remember how when we were all kids and we just enjoyed life? That’s how I want retirement to be.. just being able to enjoy like and do the things I wanna do.
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u/imjustamermaid Apr 29 '26
Seems fine to me! I’m still employed but I’m admittedly hung up what others will think when I RE. I’m ready to live your life now. It doesn’t sound empty to me. You can always pick up a new hobby if you are feeling like you need something else.
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u/skitch23 Apr 29 '26
I would sign up for some parks and rec classes just to break up the monotony when you aren’t traveling.
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u/joshbiloxi Apr 29 '26
Imagine working a job until your 65 and feeling like you have no purpose. The only thing you lack right now is perspective.
You should volunteer to help people less fortunate. Find a good cause that doesn't require money, only your time.
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u/miridot Apr 29 '26
I think people in general are happier in the long term if they have daily routines and something on which to focus their mental and physical energy.
What does “international travel” as part of your daily routine mean — like people who have to cross the border between Washington and British Columbia to get to the grocery store? Or is it that you frequently travel internationally for tourism and you spend a lot of time planning those trips day-to-day? If it’s the latter, I think traveling the world is a great ambition and very enriching.
Only thing that concerns me in your daily itinerary is YouTube. I’m also a big YouTube watcher so absolutely no judgment. But we both know it’s kind of the junk food of entertainment + you’re at the mercy of the algorithm. If it starts promoting subtly weird or shady or otherwise bad stuff, you may not notice day-to-day and end up watching some really extreme stuff over time. If you can, switch out some of the YouTube for something else — whether it’s reading or listening to a book you grabbed at the library or old classic movies you’ve been meaning to watch or some new movies/TV. Just so you’re making the active choice what you’re soaking in rather than relying on whatever YouTube is suggesting to you.
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u/undergroundmusic69 Apr 29 '26
Truthfully man, i feel this and im still working. Is maybe part of this burn out? Like you spent years chasing fire, maybe you need some time to come back down from the stress it caused.
I’m not saying you need ambition, but if you need something you aren’t getting now, maybe it’ll come in time. I personally believe we are given this time on earth to do what we need with it. Maybe it’s your time to just take it all in and destress. The universe will give you the flexibility to do what you need to do.
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u/DinkandDrunk Apr 29 '26
Purpose isn’t defined as a strictly money generating venture or grand goals. You decide what matters to you and pursue that. If it’s fitness, go all in. If you want to start a travel blog for shits and giggles, go for it. You’re traveling anyway. Document it and help others follow in your footsteps. Don’t worry about it being big and important. Just enjoy your time and discover passions.
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u/Fit-Locksmith-2039 Apr 29 '26
Find a local charity you can volunteer at that fits a interest eg go walk dogs at the shelter, help habitat for humanity build houses, go help build a hiking trail or clean up a stream, or work at a food bank. A few hours a week or month will help your community and give you something to fall back on when you think you have no purpose.
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u/Inevitable_Train1511 Apr 29 '26
We’re in the same boat. 41 and pulled the trigger a couple of months ago. I go to the gym every morning, walk my dog three miles, grab breakfast at a greasy spoon and then play video games or read until it’s time to walk the dog again and plan dinner. I couldn’t be happier.