My current position might be ending within next 12 months and I'm kind of panicking about what comes after. I'm 28, been working as software developer for about 6 years now, pulling around 50-55 hours weekly including weekends when projects get crazy
The money situation should be fine – managed to save around $850k between various accounts and investments, no major debts, small apartment is almost paid off. Was planning to maybe step back from full-time work in my early 30s but this might happen sooner than expected
Problem is I literally don't know how to have free time anymore. Been grinding since college and my only real hobbies are playing chess online and editing random videos in my phone when I'm too tired to code. That's about it
I'm not someone who can just sit around doing nothing all day – I need structure and goals or I go crazy. But I also have zero experience with having actual leisure time or figuring out what I want to do when work isn't consuming my entire existence
Anyone here went through similar transition from high-intensity work schedule to having control over your time again? How did you figure out what to do with yourself? I live in pretty quiet area so not tons of activities around, but willing to try new things
Just looking for some practical advice from people who made this kind of change work
Need advice on transitioning from intense work schedule to having actual free time
byu/OutsideAd6796 infinancialindependence
Posted by OutsideAd6796
2 Comments
We spent 6 months last year travelled in Europe and going back another 4 months in a few weeks. During the time in between I’ve been working out, playing videos games, pickleball and disc golf.
Seeing a therapist is great because I realized that FIRE didn’t solve my stress and anxiety issues from maladaptive perfectionism. I set too high of an expectation on myself when I don’t need to. I need to live with the fact that there are always things that are out of my control and need to let go. You can’t change what’s going on in the world but you can absolutely change how you react to it.
Treat free time like a project at first. Plan your days a bit until new routines form.