Embracing a New Chapter: Lessons from My Mini-Retirement
After two years of freedom from the 9-to-5 grind, I made the intentional decision to return to full-time work. This journey taught me valuable lessons about cash flow, diversifying income, and the power of frugality.
The Psychological Impact of Decreasing Savings
During my mini-retirement, I experienced crippling weeks of little to no progress on my book. Writer’s block and self-doubt crept in, making me question my decision to leave my lucrative career. Despite having enough savings to support myself for a couple of years, I felt guilty about not bringing in any income. The psychological impact of seeing my net worth fall was unexpected, but it forced me to reevaluate my approach.
Cash Flow: The Key to Freedom
I realized that having savings and time wasn’t enough; I needed to cover my basic costs and increase my income. To achieve this, I took a part-time, flexible role as an administrator at a local realtor, allowing me to earn a quarter of my previous full-time salary while still having time to focus on writing. This balance of time and income was crucial to finishing my book.
Diversifying Income: The Power of Side Hustles
In addition to my part-time job, I explored “gig” jobs like tennis umpiring and TV extra work. These opportunities not only increased my income but also helped me develop new skills and networks. Having multiple sources of income made me more resilient and less reliant on one job. I encourage others to explore side hustles and attend events during their mini-retirement to discover new ideas and projects.
Frugality: The Key to Unlocking Freedom
Practicing frugality has been a habit of mine since tracking my spending as a teenager. I continuously find ways to lower my expenses every year, questioning whether my spending aligns with my priorities. By cutting expenses, I’m not sacrificing; I’m directing my resources towards experiences and things that truly matter. This mindset has given me the freedom to pursue what’s important to me.
Returning to Full-Time Work and Pursuing Financial Independence
With my book released and online courses published, I returned to full-time work in internal communications. However, I didn’t let go of my goal to pursue financial independence and retire early (FIRE). By combining my frugality with my new income, I’m on track to retire in my 40s. For me, retiring early means having the freedom to work fewer hours, volunteer, and know that my investments will support my lifestyle.
As I continue on this path, I’m grateful for the lessons learned during my mini-retirement. By prioritizing cash flow, diversifying income, and practicing frugality, I’ve unlocked a sense of freedom and purpose that I’m excited to share with others.
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