{"id":22665,"date":"2026-05-22T04:03:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=22665"},"modified":"2026-05-22T04:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:05:19","slug":"the-dream-of-early-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=22665","title":{"rendered":"The dream of early retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d39185ad42a6b4c790fa17df90f70791 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>May 22nd, 2026.<\/strong> Today is the first day of my early retirement. I walked away from the workforce. I didn&#8217;t need the stress anymore. I want to live out my remaining years in peace and quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" data-attachment-id=\"22676\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?attachment_id=22676\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?fit=1376%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1376,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Scenic open road sunset drive\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The image shows a person with curly hair driving a convertible car on a long, straight highway through a desert-like landscape. The sun is setting near the horizon, casting warm golden light across the sky and the surrounding fields. Inside the car, a GPS device is mounted on the dashboard, a road atlas lies on the passenger seat, and a cup is in the center console holder. The scene evokes a feeling of freedom, adventure, and tranquility on an open road journey.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Driving towards the sunset on a long, empty road through open desert landscape&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?fit=640%2C358&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?resize=640%2C358&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Person driving a car on a straight road at sunset with road atlas and cup visible\" class=\"wp-image-22676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?resize=1024%2C572&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?w=1376&amp;ssl=1 1376w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10362544442.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ed856c4f0640cfc710f6a5645385d8cb wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:22px\">I&#8217;ll be writing here on a regular basis to document how I fill my days going forward. It isn&#8217;t going to be glamourous or full of adventure, although I&#8217;m hopeful to have some exciting days. It&#8217;s more about what I want my life to be without work, which is something that has been a part of my life since I was ten years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" data-attachment-id=\"22679\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?attachment_id=22679\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?fit=1376%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1376,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"my-walkabout-6a10370997eff\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?fit=640%2C358&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?resize=640%2C358&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Old man visiting baseball stadium\" class=\"wp-image-22679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?resize=1024%2C572&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?w=1376&amp;ssl=1 1376w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a10370997eff.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16734fbb5d63e43459b53346e114fe59 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:22px\">So follow along as I navigate life without a daily commute, long days working at a computer, and a life free of corporate demands and capitalistic greed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" data-attachment-id=\"22683\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?attachment_id=22683\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?fit=1376%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1376,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sunset coastal walk with dog\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;The image shows an older man walking along a rugged coastal path at sunset, holding the leash of a happy golden retriever. The man is dressed in casual outdoor clothing, including a navy jacket and beige pants, and is smiling as he looks at the dog. The path winds through wildflowers and low greenery, with rocky cliffs and the ocean visible in the background. The warm colors of the sunset create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, highlighting the connection between the man and his pet in a natural, scenic setting.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;An older man enjoys a sunset walk along the coast with his golden retriever.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?fit=640%2C358&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?resize=640%2C358&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Older man walking a golden retriever on a coastal path at sunset\" class=\"wp-image-22683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?resize=1024%2C572&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?resize=768%2C429&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?w=1376&amp;ssl=1 1376w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1037ca557e4.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>May 22nd, 2026. Today is the first day of my early retirement. I walked away [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAowqprcCw:productID":"","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"Join me on my journey of early retirement as I embrace a peaceful life free from the stress of work and corporate demands.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Embracing Early Retirement: A Journey to Peace and Freedom","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7315],"tags":[589492558],"class_list":["post-22665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-day-in-the-life","tag-retirement"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/my-walkabout-6a1034ee1aa72.png?fit=1376%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p99I7P-5Tz","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22665"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22685,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22665\/revisions\/22685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}