I exited the proverbial rat race in late 2019 just prior to the Covid debacle. As did my SO. We're both very happy not steppin' and fetchin' for paychecks anymore.
Took a little advance planning. Getting completely debt free prior to pulling the plug was our big priority which took some discipline and sacrifices during the six or so years leading up to us retiring. And there were a few other strategic moves we made regarding our finances as well. Moving into a smaller, far more easily managed and maintained home was another priority. Because who wants to spend their remaining years continually fussing with the upkeep (or paying the extra expenses and property taxes) that go with a larger home? Reducing unnecessary expenses for things we've long since lost interest in but continued spending on, more through force of habit than anything else was another. (Habitual and impulse spending is an easy trap to fall into when you've got a steady paycheck coming in.)
Once we got that all sorted it turned out we needed far less money than we though we would need - or planned for. So we're now quite comfortable with our current income despite it being significantly less that it was prior to our retirement. The fact it's stress free income makes any trade-offs more than worth it.
Oddly enough, we're both busier than ever. But it's a good busy since we're pursuing our own goals and playing our own game these days. And the only responsibilities we now shoulder are the ones we've elected to take on.
It's a lifestyle change I couldn't recommend more highly.
Took a little advance planning. Getting completely debt free prior to pulling the plug was our big priority which took some discipline and sacrifices during the six or so years leading up to us retiring. And there were a few other strategic moves we made regarding our finances as well. Moving into a smaller, far more easily managed and maintained home was another priority. Because who wants to spend their remaining years continually fussing with the upkeep (or paying the extra expenses and property taxes) that go with a larger home? Reducing unnecessary expenses for things we've long since lost interest in but continued spending on, more through force of habit than anything else was another. (Habitual and impulse spending is an easy trap to fall into when you've got a steady paycheck coming in.)
Once we got that all sorted it turned out we needed far less money than we though we would need - or planned for. So we're now quite comfortable with our current income despite it being significantly less that it was prior to our retirement. The fact it's stress free income makes any trade-offs more than worth it.
Oddly enough, we're both busier than ever. But it's a good busy since we're pursuing our own goals and playing our own game these days. And the only responsibilities we now shoulder are the ones we've elected to take on.
It's a lifestyle change I couldn't recommend more highly.
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. All the playing was fun, and fed my ego and spirit as only live music can. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it. 
