The Reframe Ep. 79 - The Unexpected Benefits of Going Part Time Between Achieving Financial Independence (FI) and Retiring Early (RE)
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Dec 1, 2025 Exploring the journey from financial independence to early retirement, the hosts discuss the surprising perks of going part-time. They highlight how this approach can ease mental transitions and reshape identity beyond just work. Listeners learn about the value of structuring daily life to avoid existential drift and the financial benefits of gradually reducing hours. By staggering retirement plans, couples can manage emotional adjustments more smoothly. The conversation emphasizes that part-time work can reveal internal anxieties and test living within a FIRE budget.
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Part-Time As A Retirement Simulator
- Going part-time simulates retirement and eases the shock of sudden unscheduled time.
- It provides a staged transition to test life after paid work before fully quitting.
Identity Extends Beyond Job Titles
- Identity is often entwined with professional titles even when we think it's not.
- Going part-time gives space to try on new identities gradually without abrupt loss.
Law Career Triggered Unexpected Panic
- Kathleen recounts panic as her legal career wound down despite not loving law.
- Years of training and being 'a lawyer' made the identity loss unexpectedly intense.