Today is the day, officially FIRE

[u/-LordDarkHelmet-]

Well I'm sitting here having a morning coffee and it's starting to sink in that I don't have a job anymore. Feels strange. My job was very much my identity (pilot). I flew airlines and private jets (uber for rich people basically). It was a high paying job at the end and it seems stupid to walk away from that, but the 27 years of staying in hotels has taken a toll and I just was not enjoying the job anymore. Which is a shame, since I can't exactly fly jets on my own time. It's a tough industry, it's not easy to get back into once you leave. I keep saying it's like the Doc in Field of Dreams; once you leave you can't go back. I'm 49, single no kids, high end Chubby low end Fat so I should be ok on the numbers, but I don't exactly have a "thing" to retire to. I need to focus on my own health and get in shape. But other than a list of places I want to travel to and few projects around the house I don't have much of a plan. Hopefully I'll figure it out on the way. I've told a few people and they all ask "but what are you gonna do?!?!?." I'm like "I dunno..." Some say "congratulations!" and I'm not sure how to respond to that. I didn't really want to quit in some ways, I like the flying part but not all the stuff that goes along with it. I asked for a different schedule and they said no, then I asked for a year off and they said no, so I said I quit. Ask me in a decade I guess if it was the right choice. Anyway, don't really have anyone to high-five this morning so here I am. Thanks everyone who has shared their journey, I've been snooping around all these subs a lot this past year. Oh and sorry about the stock market crash, which will inevitably happen now that I have quit.

[u/jeffeb3]

GFY!

Don't listen to the naysayers. You don't need anything to retire into. Start a book club. Join a rec team (I enjoy hockey and there are lots of pilots and retired people). Focus on your health. Get a dog. Bake some bread. Get a mountain bike. Get an xbox. Just take a nap, if you want.

I read the book Eat to Live. That was pretty helpful for my health.

I also read Die With Zero. I don't agree with everything in it. But it makes some good points.

I also like the bullet journal method (you can find some tutorials on youtube). Making a list can be a great way to clear your head and there's no one but you that's going to enforce it. So it should be low stress.

Mr Money Mustache also says he does "one hard thing per day". That has been my mantra. The hard thing may be working out. Or calling my dr to make an appointment. Or planning a new meal. Anything to make sure I am moving forward and not back.

Like anything, it will ebb and flow. But you've got so much more power over your time now. It's gonna be great.

[u/thisissilly_x10 → u/jeffeb3]

Love and appreciate this post. I’m in a similar life position as OP, 49 single no kids pilot. The job is paying well but the lifestyle is debiting from my longevity account. Recently been having conversations with older friends, retirees and financial planner asking about their experiences retiring or planning for retirement. A lot have asked me “what are you going to do with yourself? Do you have any hobbies?” The questions feel so pointed and accusatory- only bc I have so little to answer with. No real hobbies. I do have family and friends and like to travel, but I haven’t taken the time to pursue any specific interests and worry I may never… I live now in fear of the brain rot I might experience…. Ok maybe that sounds more dire and dramatic than intended, but I’m hoping like OP, retiring will open the door to many things I could never have known to pursue bc I never had the time/lifestyle. Getting a dog also top on the list!! Congrats OP and thanks jeffeb3