After selling their tech company for $48 million and stepping into early retirement, a couple thought they’d made it. First-class travel, a beach vacation home, big donations to causes they care about, and a beautiful home in a high-cost area.
But a year in, the wife took to Reddit’s r/fatFIRE to admit something most wouldn’t expect. “Having all of this free time is not what it’s cracked up to be,” she said.
More Time, Less Fulfillment
Despite their wealth and freedom, she shared that something still felt off. “We have the trappings of wealth that I always thought would make me happy,” she wrote. “But there just seems to be something missing. Like a real purpose.”
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They had already done plenty of volunteering and served on nonprofit boards, but it wasn’t enough. She admitted to considering starting another business, not for money, but to keep their mind engaged.
Hundreds of commenters chimed in with similar or contrasting experiences. “I don’t get it. I’m 46, I’ve been retired for a year, and I’m busier now than I was when I was working,” one person shared, listing workouts, hikes, classes, and spending time with their spouse as daily joys.
Others offered compassion and insight, pointing out the key difference between boredom and lack of purpose. “A bunch of the other comments are about how people fill their time,” one commenter said, “but what OP said is that they are missing a sense of purpose.”
Suggestions came pouring in, from mentoring entrepreneurs and coaching youth sports to joining the board of a cause with deeper personal meaning. One particularly well-received comment challenged them to reflect more deeply: “If your next project is not a ‘Hell Yes,’ it is a vanity project used to drown out the silence.”
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Several people suggested helping others as a way to regain fulfillment. “Don’t just donate to charities, get involved,” one said. “Humans are wired to need purpose, goals, and connection.”
The original poster responded candidly to many of the replies, admitting they never really had hobbies due to years of raising kids and building a business. “I do need hobbies. I’ve never had any,” she said. “I don’t really have creative outlets or talents, even.”
What Comes After The Big Win?
Other retired founders shared their own paths. Some returned to consulting, others launched new ventures, and a few embraced nonprofit leadership full-time. Still, the consensus was that money removes excuses, but doesn’t guarantee purpose.
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For those going through a big wealth transition, some commenters recommended taking time to find a new rhythm. Others urged OP to get curious again and try new things, even if they don’t stick.
And if you’re in a similar spot, earning well or approaching your own version of financial independence, Domain Money can help. They offer financial planning tailored for professionals and households earning $100,000 or more per year. Free strategy sessions are available for those ready to take that next step.
In the end, the poster left readers with a reflection: “I only ever considered retirement as the goal, not what was going to make me happy afterwards or how to achieve it.”
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