It sounds like you’ve come to the same question that I came to during some time off in Japan a few years back. The problem you are probably facing is that all your life you’ve probably chased after goals. A phd, Financial Independence, etc.

The problem is, what happens when you’ve reached your goals? What happens when there are no more roller coasters to ride?

Most people’s instinct is to automatically look for another goal to chase. I can tell you from experience that you’ll end up with the same feeling at the end of that goal as you do now.

The only answer I’ve found is to stop focusing on goals and start living every day just for the experience of being alive today. There is a great book by Thich Nhat Hanh called Peace is Every Step which is about enjoying every single day of your life.

It might help you focus more on who you are and what you enjoy and less on setting goals to be accomplished.

Good luck with the big questions!

Once I was out of the rat race, I took a six month breather. Then I started looking for an investment property; I had sold my last one a couple of years before and didn’t want another during the interim so I could concentrate on the stretch run.

I found the property and closed in December 07. Now I am doing a leisurely rehab. I find the work very interesting and engaging. It is basically project management with as much hands on, physical labor as I feel like.

Also, I feel the work falls into what is known in the Zen tradition as “right livelihood.” And to contributes to the community in that I take ugly or neglected houses and make them attractive. I also add value to the rental stock and provide affordable housing.

Not to mention, I have always made good money at it.

I also blog, write, do seminars and I am a publisher; but all at my own pace. If you visited my blog, you have seen that one of my books is available at Amazom.com.

But your point is right on, the key to enjoying the freedom of FI is to have work that keeps you engaged and eager to get out of bed every day. But it is also nice to have the option of just pulling the covers over your head and listen to the rain on those mornings when you feel like it.

I hope you find your calling! But based on my experience, it might not be just one thing; it is more likely to be one main thing and several more that you turn to for diversion.

I don’t want to be dependent. That is my goal. On anything or anyone. So growing my own food fits largely into my plans. I also don’t want to spend a lot of money on land and property because all I am buying is land and property and all these $250,000+ places is a bit much for what is essentially brick and cement organized nicely.

There are alot of very general ideas I have. I like cooking, but I don’t want the stress associated with running a food establishment. I like riding my bike…but I like to go at my own pace to places I want to go to. I want to own a private library.

I have a 2 year plan in place where I plan on saving a bit of money and then evaluating my options and my state of mind. We’ll see how that works out.

1. Intellectual - I need things to think about. Reading, watching movies, taking (and teaching) classes, and talking to friends as well as figuring stuff out all exercises my brain. If retired, I could do more of this.

2. Physical - I need movement. I like to do things that improve strength/speed, aerobic capacity, balance/grace, and flexibility. Currently I like ultimate frisbee, ballroom dancing, a tai chi/yoga/pilates class offered by my gym, and hiking.

3. Social - I have friends, family, and a boyfriend. If I were retired, I would have fewer dealings with co-workers, but might be able to see my favorite friends more often.

4. Creative - I can’t just consume; I have to create to be happy. That includes writing, making cards, baking, throwing parties, putting together scrapbooks of my travels, trying new recipes, knitting, thinking of presents for people, that kind of thing.

5. Spiritual - for me this means contributing to the welfare of others. I have donated blood, taught first aid, donate money to worthy causes, reduced my energy usage, subsidized family members for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, that kind of thing.

I think my creative and spiritual needs may compare to your need for self-actualization.

I feel like when I retire, I will just do more of the same kinds of things I do outside of work now and be very happy.

However, I also know a lot of people think they will have plenty of things to do, but then when they actually retire, it turns out it’s not enough. Or all their activities are relaxing, but they don’t need so much relaxing anymore once they have retired. I may turn out to be one of those people (although I find it very difficult to imagine).

If so, any post-retirement career I have will probably involve helping local public school teachers in various ways such as running a school club or creating simulation games for units the kids usually hate. It would be fun (for me) and useful, but it would also be okay if I can’t find some way to get paid for it.

Thanks a lot, counselor.

What about writing a book? You’ve done something most people haven’t done/wouldn’t be willing to do; it might make good subject matter.

I have started a blog, and I am setting up a goat farm.

Have not thought about taking over the world yet, though.

I am always worried the value of my $ dropping quickly because of the devaluating fiat dollar. I would enjoy setting up the perfect low-cost self-sufficiency homestead retreat. I can imagine from reading a few of your posts that perhaps you would find enjoyment in establishing something of that sort.

Wow, watchmaking. You’ve clearly conquered bike mechanicals and are gunning for a real challenge!