And you have this famous quote that I either ignored in school or missed.“Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived. After all Number One, we're only mortal.”
Jean-Luc Picard
I've reached a few milestones over the last decade and most recently retirement. My last day of work was the end of January and I don't think it was a big deal because at the time I had several offers to take another job. The one I accepted was going to start next week but I decided to turn it down so unless something changes I am retired.“Its the not the Destination, It's the journey.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
I had expected some big celebration or relief when I hit that milestone but I didn't. Just feel older but not celebratory. Most likely I have enough money to retire on, nothing extravagant but barring unusual financial occurrences we should be fine and much better than average, especially when we start collecting social security down the road.
When I first hit a savings goal like $1M I expected some big excitement but nope, nothing. Portfolio went over it, and I think quickly back under it before then it grew further.
I had a pretty good plan where I was going to move back into a nice house I had out west after kicking out the renters since it was one level but plans changed and I sold it and now pondering buying a new place. Some minor health issues have kept me from planning any fancy vacations so I don't have that to look forward to and honestly travel wears me out especially the airport/flying experience and road trips more than an hour or so I find difficult.
While I'm not a young retiree I'd imagine compared to most retirees I'm younger than average (late 50s lets say w/o too many details). I think in some ways the excitement or relief is diminished by losing my parents, most recently my father in late 2021 and also a long time friend in 2020.
While it is nice to be able to wake up in the morning and just go back to bed, or avoid driving in traffic or bad weather and avoid dealing with nonsensical business rules or people who have no interest in working, it just feels strange for now. I think once we settle into a retirement home it will be a bit different. I'm also hoping that we might take a long trip using FF miles/points to Europe and just explore w/o being stuck to a 10 day or 2 week vacation limit due to going back to work.
Anyhow, am I the rare person that feels this way upon reaching major goals?