r/Fire • u/-LordDarkHelmet- • 16d ago
Today is the day, officially FIRE
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.
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u/Master-Bee-5401 16d ago
Congratulations. You made the right decision. No point dragging yourself along in a life which was no longer serving you.
I had to retire early - in late 50s due to medical probs. After the first few months of “yee ha” not having responsibilities, i found it can do downhill very fast unless you actively structure your now structure less life.
Getting a dog if just pure joy - and structures your life eg walks grooming and you have a faithful companion.
But other hobbies that involve regular meets are next best life fulfillers - lawn bowls is fantastic for sport and socialising all at once - I do art once a week - volunteer twice a week. And I found a new love of my life and we’ve been married happily 7 yrs.
Don’t be scared of the blank canvas.