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I have been on the FI bandwagon for the past 5-6 years (investing for 20 years before i found out).. I am now 51 and have shifted from 5 days to 4 days and now 3 days per week in my job over the past 3 years. In the last downshift i managed to negotiate and entirely new job role (as the company wanted to keep me) and i now work 100% remote and only do the work that i like. I will probably continue to work part time as long as i enjoy it and it suits both myself and my company.

I like you find the thought of dropping all work daunting as it has been a constant for 30 years and it is really a mindset shift and also getting future hobbies and activities in place before you quit to smooth out the transition.

Wishing you best of luck in your journey.

Paul

Any possibility for a sabbatical, or for working only 3 or 4 days per week? That way you might be able to ease into it.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses! I really appreciate your insights. I will keep thinking on this and there is no rush, so that's a plus. My only urgency is in my own mind. Thanks again!!!

Will your employer allow you an extended vacation or sabbatical (paid or unpaid)? I initially looked into this option and was planning on taking 3-6 months. When the time got closer I realized I REALLY didn't want to go back, didn't NEED to go back, and instead put in my notice. I do think it's a way to test the waters though and still have a job waiting if you end up feeling like you need or want it. I think one of the hardest things is trusting the math though - if you have run the numbers and you are near or AT FI, then sometimes you just have to trust it and take the leap! Maybe talking with a fee-based advisor like through Nectarine could be helpful because they could double-check your numbers and hopefully provide reassurance if you're worried about that aspect?

Have you considered trying to downshift? Personally, I "smoothed" the transition by first going part-time for a while. That might look like going to 4 days/week or 3 days/week (with a commensurate salary reduction). Suppose you are able to come to an agreement for 3 days/week. You could try filling your time on the other 2 days you would have otherwise worked. That will also help you get comfortable with less income, and things like that.Then eventually you can quit when you are ready.

In hindsight, I was lucky. I was offered a lucrative out from my original career and instead of jumping back on that train, I spent 9 years building my own small business. So when the time came to really retire I had already been through a transition once.

That being said, when we stopped working, my wife and I were in our forties and had a child in middle school.

If you're fairly confident with your numbers, and obligation free (from large future spending needs), then I recommend laying out some backup plans, just to increase your confidence.

What would you do if inflation spikes for 5 years and the market drops 35%. Can you plow through? Could you work part time in a lower paying job? Could you live in a tent? (I have a cousin you lives in his van half the year and drives around the country). Likely, you won't have to.

In any case, the first two or three years are always a little tough, getting a handle on your new spending rate, your new schedule or lack thereof, and the change in social network. But will these things really get easier if you wait longer?

Hope that helps. I know my own situation gets better every year.