Derek S-H
Outstanding Member
I'm sorry to hear that about your dad.I hope you don't mind this offer of advice - have an idea or plan of what to do in that free time even if it is to watch TV, gardening, volunteering, etc. My dad was in a great financial position to retire early but did so due to ill-health. Made no plans so suddenly this usually busy man in and out of work was doing nothing but apart going to the doctors as I reckon it affected his illness.
To be honest, it is all still sinking in. Every Friday, like clockwork, I'd get ready for work, do my weekend shift, finish on Monday and try and cram the rest of my life in before Friday came back round again.
I'm still adjusting to having my weekends back, but I am loving the freedom this brings. For the first time in decades I didn't have to fight my way across town on the bike, and could actually watch "Match Of The Day" on a Saturday night!
I think going from part-time to no time (like me) is a lot easier than full-time to no time. And, as you rightly pointed out, your health is more important than anything. I don't regret not having a back up plan, but it would be nice to have more money in the bank, I admit.
I also think quietly quitting makes actual quitting easier, too. I would never tell anyone on here, "leave your job", because I don't have to live with the consequences of my advice. But what I would say is that it is not as scary as you might think it is.