While I did not plan to retire that early, financially, I was able to, and I am glad I did. The article touches on how our bodies change as we pass through midlife. Well, in your sixties, your body changes damn near every year. I am glad I do not have to force this body out of bed at six and rush into a job.
The author is correct about one thing. Find something to do in retirement. I have a friend who travels all over because he is involved in home brewing. I have another friend who collects antiques and travels across the country to antique stores in the most out-of-the-way places. He loves it even when he does not buy anything. I have a friend who does metal detecting; it does not matter what it is: do not sit on the couch, watch TV at until 4 am, get up at noon, and turn on the TV again.
I “retired” in 1995 but kept my hand in. I began walking the mile to my post office box every day. I noticed a down the street neighbor whom I knew of for many years.
He mowed his yard twice a week.
We struck up a conversation one day and discussed retirement.
He told me he mowed twice a week to have something to do. As a civil engineer he said he went to work at @#$$%^^ every day and someone told him what to do. Now, he didn’t go to work every day and didn’t have someone to tell him what to do and he just didn’t know.
Those were among the saddest words I ever heard