I've technically been "early retired" since March 2021, but my family’s true early retirement chapter didn’t begin until my husband joined me in April of this year.
Leading up to his retirement, we were often asked, “What will you do?!”
Honestly? We didn’t have an epic, picture-perfect answer. While we’ve enjoyed multiple extended trips without worrying about time off (a true luxury), our daily lives in early retirement don’t mirror a vacation.
Instead, we’ve embraced a routine that feels fulfilling, sustainable, and deeply connected to our community and environment.
We’ve been intentional about creating a rhythm that enriches our lives while allowing us to contribute and give back. Over time, we keep tweaking and adjusting to find a balance that feels just right.
And honestly, as unglamorous as it may sound, I love having my version of a “perfectly normal day.”
📸 Here’s a snapshot:
Our kids go to school, and I (usually 😬) love the time I get to spend with them before and after their day. While they’re at school, I focus on my wellness, relationships, and fulfillment. For me, that includes working toward a professional goal—I’ve realized I thrive on the challenge, creativity, and impact it brings.
I typically dedicate 20 hours a week to Rising Femme Wealth, with plenty of seasonal fluctuations. Usually, I spread that time out so that at least one weekday is entirely work-free.
With 20 additional hours left in my week (while the kids are at school), I’ve honed in on a mix of activities that are necessities, as well as those that energize me, including:
All-day bike rides with Ryan
Hot yoga and coffee dates with friends
Volunteer work
Home projects: cooking, organizing, or tending to plants
Family management: calendars, meals, to-dos
Business and financial management
Daily introspection, journaling, and drop-in art classes
Strength workouts
Supporting causes I care deeply about
Some nordic, or downhill skiing 🤙
Finding this balance wasn’t a six-month process—it took me 44 months! I was a slow learner in this phase of life, largely because of two mindset hurdles:
Attributing my identity and self-worth exclusively to my career
Feeling guilty about spending so much time on myself
I can say with 100% confidence that I am a completely different person since I've started working on these.
Here’s something I’ve learned:
Financial freedom isn’t about jet-setting constantly or living a life of luxury 24/7. It’s about discovering what feels best for you and designing a life that lets you experience that regularly.
Getting super clear on what your version of financial freedom looks like isn’t just a fluffy vision-boarding exercise. It’s a vital first step in creating a wealth plan to support that life.
A solid wealth plan involves organizing your finances and implementing tax and investment strategies that are customized to YOUR vision of financial freedom.
In the Abundance Circle, we’ve designed an intentional framework to help you do exactly that. The strategies we teach are customized to your goals because your version of financial freedom may look nothing like mine—and your wealth plan shouldn’t either.
Learn more about The Abundance Circle here.
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