Stepping off the treadmill - how’d it go for you?

[RockyMtNole]

Not talking retirement, more like career progression.

Did you even hit a crossroads where you said, yeah, I’m good - I don’t need to chase advancement/new opportunities any longer?

Assume finances are not relevant - just a question of whether you have it in you to take on new challenges, or whether you’d be happier stepping back (or off) and just enjoying life.

Anyone? Regrets? Wish I’d done it sooner?

 

[Torbee]

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

Think I posted this before. I “semi retired” 3 years ago which basically means I decided I won’t take another corporate gig, I spend my time philanthropically and working on startups. My current project is incubating a novel agentic startup. My workload gives me flexibility to travel, explore hobbies, etc. but I still get to keep my brain engaged along the way.

I love it and honestly should have done it a LONG time ago.

 

[firegiver]

They keep handing me new projects with advancement plans. I'll be a director in 2 years, VP in 5. I'll probably hang it up in 10.

 

[BelemNole]

I'm late 50s.
A few years back the socal manager moved to Australia and they asked me if I could step in and pick up the load until they hired her replacement. Honestly I wanted nothing to do with it. I'm late 50s and am trying to coast my way in.
I agreed anyway and it was fine. They took a year to replace her and ignored all my suggestions. Socal team wanted them to keep me on and they ignored them.
So now I'm really coasting. Do the work, volunteer for nothing, not looking at the job boards. Just want to limp to the finish line.

 

[tarheelbybirth1]

Stepped off way back. I moved from project management into teaching in my early thirties. The plan was to leverage that prior experience into administration. Teaching got in the way. After a few years, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my working life. Never regretted it.

 

[ArtRadley]

Not talking retirement, more like career progression.

Did you even hit a crossroads where you said, yeah, I’m good - I don’t need to chase advancement/new opportunities any longer?

Assume finances are not relevant - just a question of whether you have it in you to take on new challenges, or whether you’d be happier stepping back (or off) and just enjoying life.

Anyone? Regrets? Wish I’d done it sooner?

I'm a software developer, and always loved by job. Writing code was like solving puzzles all day for fun. I started doing it as a career in 1980. In 1993 I got married, in 1996 we had our first child. At that point I thought, "If I'm going to take care of a family I should start trying to make more money - especially if we want to afford for my wife to stay home and raise kids." So I took a management position with a big worldwide corporation. I hated it. I hated the meetings, I hated the politics, I hated managing people.

I never said anything, but it wasn't even six months into it when one night Mrs Radley said, "Do you hate your job? Because when I look at you I see someone who hates their job." I told her that, yes, I honestly did hate it but that this was the only way to attain the life we wanted, and sometimes you have to sacrifice. She said, "I don't want you to do this for me and the kids. If you do, you are going to hate your life and you are going to resent us. I don't want you to hate your life, and I don't want you to resent your family. You should do what you love, and we will figure everything else out."

Obviously a longer discussion ensued, but within the week I turned in my notice and went back to coding. I haven't looked back; and as it turns out we found a way to let her take ten years off work to be a stay at home mom, and things are great. I do get annoyed with my wife some times, but I will always remember the time she did the most amazing thing for me that anyone could have ever done.

 

[ArtRadley]

So now I'm really coasting. Do the work, volunteer for nothing, not looking at the job boards. Just want to limp to the finish line.

Late 60's and similar situation. I started working from home ten years ago. Our company made a decision to stop developing software, and they keep me just to keep legacy software running. I decided to just let things be, and coast to retirement. I could be retired now, but its damn good money for doing nothing, so it doesn't make much sense. If I work five hours in a week its a big week. When I finish this post I am going to put on some 30spf and join my wife, who is waiting for me at the pool. So I have not even thought about advancement in ten years.

 

[BelemNole]

Late 60's and similar situation. I started working from home ten years ago. Our company made a decision to stop developing software, and they keep me just to keep legacy software running. I decided to just let things be, and coast to retirement. I could be retired now, but its damn good money for doing nothing, so it doesn't make much sense. If I work five hours in a week its a big week. When I finish this post I am going to put on some 30spf and join my wife, who is waiting for me at the pool. So I have not even thought about advancement in ten years.

I have a good hour of work I need to get done today. I'm still procrastinating starting it. Later I'll make a drink and take a book outside.

 

[RockyMtNole]

Think I posted this before. I “semi retired” 3 years ago which basically means I decided I won’t take another corporate gig, I spend my time philanthropically and working on startups. My current project is incubating a novel agentic startup. My workload gives me flexibility to travel, explore hobbies, etc. but I still get to keep my brain engaged along the way.

I love it and honestly should have done it a LONG time ago.

It definitely goes against the ‘more more more’ ethos that’s ingrained in many people. But at some point, it feels like a change is good for the soul.

 

[yoshi121374]

I'm 51. I was very career focused until 40 in Food Service management. Made good money, advanced regularly, and was in horrible physical condition and stressed out of my mind.

Had an epiphany that money didn't matter if I was dead at 50. Changed industries, now I do a lot of training and development of younger managers and some other side gigs which I enjoy have more than made up the financial gap.

They constantly ask me to take on more responsibility and I have no interest. More money isn't worth more stress and missing out on family time and vacations.

Plan to retire before I'm 60 and enjoy life.

 

[cigaretteman]

I'm 75 and just retired in January after 29 years at my job. Still getting used to being away from it, and kind of feel like a part of my life has been cut off, and I really miss it. CSB.

 

[Hawkedup]

I'm a software developer, and always loved by job. Writing code was like solving puzzles all day for fun. I started doing it as a career in 1980. In 1993 I got married, in 1996 we had our first child. At that point I thought, "If I'm going to take care of a family I should start trying to make more money - especially if we want to afford for my wife to stay home and raise kids." So I took a management position with a big worldwide corporation. I hated it. I hated the meetings, I hated the politics, I hated managing people.

I never said anything, but it wasn't even six months into it when one night Mrs Radley said, "Do you hate your job? Because when I look at you I see someone who hates their job." I told her that, yes, I honestly did hate it but that this was the only way to attain the life we wanted, and sometimes you have to sacrifice. She said, "I don't want you to do this for me and the kids. If you do, you are going to hate your life and you are going to resent us. I don't want you to hate your life, and I don't want you to resent your family. You should do what you love, and we will figure everything else out."

Obviously a longer discussion ensued, but within the week I turned in my notice and went back to coding. I haven't looked back; and as it turns out we found a way to let her take ten years off work to be a stay at home mom, and things are great. I do get annoyed with my wife some times, but I will always remember the time she did the most amazing thing for me that anyone could have ever done.

Brother, that right there is what you a call a keeper.

Me? I am 51 and having a hard time not taking the foot off the gas. I am so tired of chasing the almighty dollar and just trying to live in the moment. I feel like I am a little young for that still but I just don't have the desire anymore.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Still running hard at 52. Can’t wait to stop.

 

[RockyMtNole]

Brother, that right there is what you a call a keeper.

Me? I am 51 and having a hard time not taking the foot off the gas. I am so tired of chasing the almighty dollar and just trying to live in the moment. I feel like I am a little young for that still but I just don't have the desire anymore.

This is where I am.
I have more than I need already, and I am afraid I will get down the road and regret that the one thing none of us can buy is more time.

 

[alaskanseminole]

Not talking retirement, more like career progression.

Did you even hit a crossroads where you said, yeah, I’m good - I don’t need to chase advancement/new opportunities any longer?

Assume finances are not relevant - just a question of whether you have it in you to take on new challenges, or whether you’d be happier stepping back (or off) and just enjoying life.

Anyone? Regrets? Wish I’d done it sooner?

It's actually gone quite well, stepped off of it when I left NSA back in 2021. ...told the boss to just keep throwing money at me. Couldn't care less about advancement. In fact, I'd prefer ZERO advancement, just get me to retirement w/ millions in my investments.

I'm 52, work my own hours in a mostly remote job. Plan on being partially retired by 56 and fully retired at 62.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

After my father died before he was 60, I became pretty jealous of my time with my family, and pretty much stopped working late at all. I have been able to get more involved in the kids' activities, am happier and feel a sense of community that I never did while grinding.

I fully believe that a legacy of service is the most rewarding and affirming thing a person can do and leads to a much happier existence when compared to chasing material goods and other peoples idea of success.

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

Over the last 15 years I've turned into sort of a parrot head/trop rock type of attitude. A bad day on vacation beats a good day at work.

If our investments stay strong, 11/22/28 will be my last day of work and I'll get paid through the end of the year from my PTO. Then, I'll get up when I wake up, eat when hungry and go to bed when I pass out.

 

[BelemNole]

After my father died before he was 60, I became pretty jealous of my time with my family, and pretty much stopped working late at all. I have been able to get more involved in the kids' activities, am happier and feel a sense of community that I never did while grinding.

I fully believe that a legacy of service is the most rewarding and affirming thing a person can do and leads to a much happier existence when compared to chasing material goods and other peoples idea of success.

I was about 50 when my dad had his stroke. I was working for a big multi-national firm and traveling quite a bit. Calls in the evenings I had to respond to.
Since I am the only kid living near my folks I decided it was time for a job that had a better balance. Was lucky enough to find one that would pay me the same for a lot less hours. Haven't regretted it once.

 

[OrlandNole]

I'm 53 and dread Monday mornings more and more with each passing week. If I take my foot off the gas, I would be looking at a job change and a significant reduction in income (like 50%). I'm just going to suck it up and struggle through 7 more years until I retire at 60.

 

[Hawkedup]

This is where I am.
I have more than I need already, and I am afraid I will get down the road and regret that the one thing none of us can buy is more time.

Unfortunately for me, I don't have all that I need yet. Mostly because I still have kids in high school. Kids are expensive and I have to get them through high school/college. When that happens... whoa boy will I be throttling back.

Last year my oldest graduated high school. When I was going through all of those emotions I realized that I really was never living in the moment while raising my kids. Yes, I was an involved parent but my mind was always wandering. Always thinking of what is to come. What do I need to be prepared for. What am I missing, etc... Always on work it seemed. I made a concerted effort at that time to really try to be more focused on what was in front of me. It is much easier sad than done but I have gotten better at it.

Next Saturday my oldest takes possession, along with his friends, of their first house off campus. While very exciting for him, it is quite humbling for me. Simply because I know that once I moved off campus, I never really lived back at my moms house in the same capacity he has been living at home this summer. I have made it a point to live in the moment with him being home this summer. My job performance hasn't been the best because of it but you know what? I really don't find myself caring much.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Unfortunately for me, I don't have all that I need yet. Mostly because I still have kids in high school. Kids are expensive and I have to get them through high school/college. When that happens... whoa boy will I be throttling back.

Last year my oldest graduated high school. When I was going through all of those emotions I realized that I really was never living in the moment while raising my kids. Yes, I was an involved parent but my mind was always wandering. Always thinking of what is to come. What do I need to be prepared for. What am I missing, etc... Always on work it seemed. I made a concerted effort at that time to really try to be more focused on what was in front of me. It is much easier sad than done but I have gotten better at it.

Next Saturday my oldest takes possession, along with his friends, of their first house off campus. While very exciting for him, it is quite humbling for me. Simply because I know that once I moved off campus, I never really lived back at my moms house in the same capacity he has been living at home this summer. I have made it a point to live in the moment with him being home this summer. My job performance hasn't been the best because of it but you know what? I really don't find myself caring much.

Same here. One kid is a freshman in college this fall and another entering year 4 of 5. I would like to pay for grad school as well, because I would rather have them get a head start in life than get a pile of money after we die. That, and realistically I don't think either of them will make nearly as much money as I do, given what they want to go into. So, I will ride this pony as hard as needed to provide what is needed, and then I will get off the pony and never look back. Choices and such.

 

[noleclone2]

I am 54 and just got my big break last year and have become an executive VP at a regional environmental, geotech, CMT firm. I am very happy now and plan to retire around 65-66. It’s the first time in my 32 career years I have been happy working and it is weird because it is high stress, longer hours, overwhelming but it’s exciting and I finally have that seat at the table. I share because it almost makes me sad I wasted 31 years trudging through my career to only now find what being happy with job looks like and what enjoying work looks like. I tell all three of my kids pick something to do they like because that is what your life hours go to in this culture.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

I will add a well done chaps to those in this thread. Seems like lots of us are similarly situated. Keep on keeping on brothers.

 

[JWolf74]

Have far too many student loans left. Plan is to get them forgiven through pslf in a year or 2. Will grind for a few more years until all kids are in college (about a dozen more). After that I'm cutting back greatly and may pursue the locum route where I can travel the country and make bank covering a hospital for a week or 2 at a time, on my own schedule. I don't pick up extra shifts now. I already miss too many kid's games/events because of work. My dad missed a lot because of working 2 jobs. I thought it sucked then, although I understood it. I hate that I'm doing it to my kids.

 

[Torbee]

It's actually gone quite well, stepped off of it when I left NSA back in 2021. ...told the boss to just keep throwing money at me. Couldn't care less about advancement. In fact, I'd prefer ZERO advancement, just get me to retirement w/ millions in my investments.

I'm 52, work my own hours in a mostly remote job. Plan on being partially retired by 56 and fully retired at 62.

I went 90% remote two-plus years ago and it’s been amazing.

Like a glide into retirement - especially with a job that is results-based and mostly solitary.

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

Not talking retirement, more like career progression.

Did you even hit a crossroads where you said, yeah, I’m good - I don’t need to chase advancement/new opportunities any longer?

Assume finances are not relevant - just a question of whether you have it in you to take on new challenges, or whether you’d be happier stepping back (or off) and just enjoying life.

Anyone? Regrets? Wish I’d done it sooner?

I am there right now. I have a few years to go, but am avoiding any new training or duties as much as I can without making it too obvious. If they notice, I will be fine either way…

 

[tarheelbybirth1]

I have a good hour of work I need to get done today. I'm still procrastinating starting it. Later I'll make a drink and take a book outside.

Not hot today. Raining. Yeah, the porch, a book, and a cup of coffee sounds pretty good right now.


Maybe a nap.

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

Brother, that right there is what you a call a keeper.

Me? I am 51 and having a hard time not taking the foot off the gas. I am so tired of chasing the almighty dollar and just trying to live in the moment. I feel like I am a little young for that still but I just don't have the desire anymore.

Four years ago, I left a cash cow job in the Pipeline industry because I hated it with a passion. Spent ten years stressed out. Ut it really set us up financially. Had the full support of Mrs Knives to gtfo and take a lower (but still very good) paying job. Four or five more years and I am out of it all but Seeing the end makes we want to coast right now. Prolly a touch early to coast…

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

This is where I am.
I have more than I need already, and I am afraid I will get down the road and regret that the one thing none of us can buy is more time.

This. I lost my brother to cancer a month ago. He was 67. The day after his funeral I bought the kick *** Mustang convertible I always wanted.

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

I was about 50 when my dad had his stroke. I was working for a big multi-national firm and traveling quite a bit. Calls in the evenings I had to respond to.
Since I am the only kid living near my folks I decided it was time for a job that had a better balance. Was lucky enough to find one that would pay me the same for a lot less hours. Haven't regretted it once.

I was 3 when my dad died from a stroke.

 

[Hydro2.0]

Career advancement or a large payday has never really been in my lexicon of “success.” My dad missed so many events growing up because of work (great father, just a firefighter) that I decided when I have a family my priority is to be more involved.

doubt I’ll ever be rich but I keep plugging away and putting money into my retirement. Company matches 8.5 perfect so that’s nice. Maybe when I’m 62 I’ll step away but my job is rewarding and flexible.

 

[WDDT]

It always feels like you take a huge step, especially if you were running on an incline....

 

[Billanole.]

Not talking retirement, more like career progression.

Did you even hit a crossroads where you said, yeah, I’m good - I don’t need to chase advancement/new opportunities any longer?

Assume finances are not relevant - just a question of whether you have it in you to take on new challenges, or whether you’d be happier stepping back (or off) and just enjoying life.

Anyone? Regrets? Wish I’d done it sooner?

Imma step off at the end of the year. Long life of work, some great jobs and coworkers stirred around with a few bad spots.
My boss kinda cut a flip when I told him my time was up. He is a great guy who I trained and have backed up for years. We have gone to war together and have no “ragrats”.
We have a few new processes being implemented that I will “support”, but not dig too deep into. That is up to the next crowd, not me.
Skit, not working seems like a strange concept, but one I want to embrace. My family deserves it as well.
I will help out on some projects as needed, in order to stay active as well as to earn a bit of “running money”.