When people ask me “What do you do?”, I tell them, “Nothing. I’m retired.”
Many people express surprise because I’m younger than traditional retirees. If they ask for details, I’ll tell them I used to be in tech sales and sales management, I saved a lot and I live quite frugally.
Sometimes people ask what I’m doing for the weekend or an upcoming holiday or in my free time. I’ll run through the usual list: working out, walking the dog, swimming, drumming & chores.
Nobody has ever asked me for more details than that.
Occasionally, the person will say, “Must be nice,” in a somewhat snide voice. My reply is always the same, I smile warmly and say that it is nice and I’m extremely fortunate. That seems to take the sting out of their remark for both of us.
I remember being on the other side and talking to retired people. I was envious. I wanted their financial security, their free time, their ability to set their own schedule, no commute, no boss, the ability to focus on my priorities, etc.
Now I have that. I don’t have the financial security or great fortune I would like to have, but I’ve made a conscious decision to downsize my life, reduce expenses and forego many expenditures (like healthcare, upgrading the house, eating out, more stuff) in order to not have to return to work.
It’s a worthwhile trade-off for the freedom.
I think many people would find my life to be boring, lackluster and repetitive but I do not.
It is nice.