The Slowly Changing Routine Of My Semi-Retired Schedule
I went part time at my job in October 2017 after exceeding my target financial independence net worth. It’s been my intention to keep posting updates on both my new work life as well as my non-work life.
I’ve done a decent job of posting about my new 20 hour a week work life and how it’s changed my attitude towards work. But I’ve done fewer updates about my new life outside of work, otherwise known as the good parts of life. Today’s post is about that.
I’m hoping that in telling my story of what it’s like to semi-retire, I can bring to light things to consider in your journey.
Diminishing Returns
This has nothing to do with the post, but mountains are always good.
In my last update about my new part time life outside of work I wrote about how my new 20+ hours a week of free time was helping me de-stress and reduce anxiety. That post was well over a year ago so you might think another year of this new paradigm should find me in even better shape.
Well, unfortunately it’s not quite that simple. I’m definitely still enjoying my new free time and have a lower level of stress than when I was swimming through the purgatory of middle management bureaucracy at my last full time position.
But like most things in life, there’s a point of diminishing returns, and I may have reached it. This semi-retirement experiment that’s now reached 19 months has me considering the possibility that I may have reached my optimal limits of stress and anxiety.
My main side hustle of graphic arts is now a small business and flourishing a bit. That’s the awesome part. But my personality is such that it’s been bringing more stress and anxiety than I expected.
On one hand I say to myself “Dude, you don’t need the money, just chill out”. But the other part of me, the one that usually wins the arguments is the one driving me to create more designs, and accept more custom work.
Overall it’s still really fun and I love it, but the pure bliss honeymoon period has been waning. Anytime I start achieving something, whether it be athletics or whatever, I tend to go all in to see how far I can take it. That’s just me.
Backing off would feel like I’m not exploring my limits. So I’m just going with it. I’ve written about the concept of optimal anxiety before and I think my new business fits that description perfectly.
In short, I work hard at my graphic arts business, and it occupies most of my newly freed time. But it’s also paying off. I guess some self inflicted stress and anxiety are part of the cost to get there.
And it clearly shows I cannot survive on outdoor adventures alone. As much as I’d love to be in the mountains all the time or on my bike, I need “work” – whatever that means – to pursue to keep mentally centered.
A New Routine
In my last update I wrote about my routine on my three off-days a week. Back then I was going to the library almost every day to write. That’s changed too. I still love the library and go pretty frequently, but now I’ve got old-dude problems.
I’ve been dealing with some minor sciatica caused by too much sitting. It’s really been impacting my running and I’m not happy about it. So I made a nice DIY stand up desk at my house, but I can’t stand up and work at the library. So now most of my blog writing happens at my stand up desk at home.
My new routine is usually some variation of this:
- I typically wake up at 4:45 – 5:30, without an alarm. (5AM Joel you got nuthin’ on me) 🙂
- I then do graphic arts for the next 3 – 4 hours. I’ve found that my brain is well equipped to do designs in the morning. Writing? Not so much. I try to get into a state of what Cal Newport calls “Deep Work“, with mixed results.
- After that I usually do my outdoor workout or activity for the day. Depending on the weather that could be a run, long bike ride, rock climbing, or stand up paddleboarding. One day a week I lift weights on my patio. Sometimes my workout could be 4 or 5 hours.
- Then I either nap for a bit, which I’m getting much better at, or maybe write on the blog for a while. After that I might get back on the bike and go to Aldi, or just lay on my hammock and read.
- Some days I’ll revisit a graphic design in the evening or maybe brainstorm new ideas. If I’m working a custom logo design I will usually work on those right up until bedtime because I try to be as prompt as I can with my customers.
- Lastly I read in bed or sometimes watch a documentary and then crash. I aim to be asleep by 9:30.
Just writing that routine out made me reflect…. Damn, I’ve got it pretty good huh? It’s also funny because my younger self – even in my 30’s – would never have imagined a future routine like that in a million years.
“Waking up at 4:45, without an alarm? HA!! You obviously didn’t drink enough last night!”
Seasons Change
More mountains, yay!
For now this framework of a routine is serving me well. I’m growing my business, keeping this blog alive, staying fit, and still holding down a 20 hour a week job. Sounds like I’m in the zone.
But I know me, and I know things will slowly change. I tend to acquire habits and routines and take them to the end of their usefulness, tinkering with them the whole time.
And then I turn around one day and realize I’ve slowly morphed into a different routine or different habits. I’ve always been that way, it must be my way of experimenting.
I’m a creature of slowly changing habits, but I need habits and routines to stay disciplined. And I’m happy with the ones I have now.
Your Turn Readers – Are you a routine-type person or someone who’s everyday looks different?
Sounds like you have a pretty nice life there! I’ve wondered exactly how I would manage my time if I were in your position and learned through time off from work that I don’t function well without at least some structure. You have a pretty solid structure to your day, and I think your graphic arts business is largely responsible for that. Well done!
Good luck with that sciatica. Ouch!
Structure is a good thing for me but I realize others like more variance. Thanks for the kudos Katie!
On my work days I have a pretty strict routine even down to when I have snacks etc. On my days off I tend to be more free flowing and let myself get up naturally (typically 9am-10 am is when I usually get up if left alone).
There are benefits to both so for now it is almost a 50-50 split.
You sleep in… nice 🙂
Wow that’s a great routine and seems like you’ve optimally mapped out the best parts of what you want to do in your free days! I’ve always thought I’d need structure to get things done if I ever did a semi retirement, so I could totally see myself sticking to a schedule like this where you’re prioritizing all the things that matter. Well done!
Thanks man! I try to stick to something without being too robotic
The myth of retirement is that you’re actually retired. Active people don’t just quit and sit on the couch I can’t figure how that ever became a model. Our brains and bodies need activity. Without it, we are doomed.
Your drive and desire to create is what keeps you healthy. I can’t imagine myself ever “retired” in the traditional sense of the word. I love what I do. I’m fairly good at it. I set my own schedule. I work with great people. Why would I want to quit?
Keep up with the routine. Congrats!
Yeah I’ve never done a “what is retired” post because I feel that horse has been flogged to death. My take is I’m semi-retired from my W2. I think it’s fine calling yourself retired when you leave your traditional W2 job, even if you do entrepreneurship. There’s a big difference between a W2 job where you have benefits and have to be in a specific place everyday, and being an entrepreneur.
Sounds like a good routine to me! Can you share some of your numbers on what your retirement portfolio is generating and your expenses? Safe place. No judgement!
Your routine is kind of like mine except for the 20 hours of part-time work goes into takin care of my son plus another 20 hours or so.
Sam
Thanks man! I don’t share my net worth for various reasons but I can share some numbers. My asset allocation is 82% equities, 11% Bonds, and 7% cash. Almost all of that except the cash obviously is in index funds. I never did real estate investing but I do own a house and have a mortgage at a super-low interest rate that I feel no need to pay off.
As far as spending, I’m pretty frugal and pull it off even in the DC area. I spend between $30k – $40k most years. Some years I go over but it’s almost always because a big trip to climb a mountain or do some adventure. In 2018 I might have gone slightly under $30k
I like having a routine. It keeps life simpler. You don’t need to make as many decisions.
Your routine is good. It has a nice mix of work, fun, and other activities.
Nice job going to bed at 9:30 pm. That’s very early.
Exactly. It’s why Steve Jobs wore the same clothes everyday, he didn’t want to waste brain energy on it. There’s something to be said about that.
Wow, that graphic arts business is really flourishing. I think my “Someday is not a day of the week” T-shirt is going to really be worth something…SOMEDAY!
Seriously, your discipline is inspiring. And, based on wearing your “Stoicism” shirt at CampFI, I got a book recommendation that reminds me of your post. It’s called “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday. I’m reading it now, and it’s probably the long version of your “Optimal Anxiety” post.
She’s back! Someday you’ll sell that shirt on craigslist for a bundle… 🙂
I’ve heard of that book and it’s on my (very long) Amazon wish list. I’ll get to it eventually
Twenty hours is too much for me. I try to hold it to eight or sixteen at the most, usually closer to eight hours. But I do get the need for some work, it is why I do it. I do not need the money even slightly since I worked way past financial independence because I was having fun at it. We do our running at 5:30 am so we are up before 5, like you. But we need an alarm because we meet four or five other runners and run in a group so we need to be there at the starting time. We also play tennis most days and pickle ball a few days a week as well. It is an amazing schedule compared to my old life and includes a lot of volunteer work for nonprofits. Next week we head to Rocky Mountain National Park and an assault on Long’s Peak, which sounds a little scary!
I need to get back into tennis. I used to play a lot and really miss it, although I’d worry about my knees now.
And you probably know I’ve done all the Colorado 14ers. Longs is AMAZING! My tips – start early of course but extra early on Longs. It’s a big day. You can easily do the first couple miles with a headlamp. Obviously watch the weather. The huge boulder field approach to the keyhole is a bitch and exposed. After the keyhole the red dots are easy to find/follow but pay attention. The ledges are fun. If the final slab pitch to the summit is wet or damp – beware. It gets slippery and a fall could be bad ju-ju. The summit is huge and flat – ENJOY!
i love having a routine. some of the parts in it are bad for me but i still like having it. that’s great that you’re rocking the graphics world. i don’t wake up that early but 6am to get off to an easy job has been pretty good to me. i almost found the point where i like the weekdays better than the weekends. i can do most everything i want during the week. i clearly need work on filling up free time with something worthwhile.
Totally agree on the weekday thing. The longer I’m part time the more I dislike the weekends. Except for my cycling group rides.
it’s funny how achievement gets in the way of “retirement”! I find myself busier than ever. The difference is traditional “work” tales up less of my time and self created “work” fills the space.
I thought of you when I wrote this post Doc. Because I’m doing with my graphic arts business what you’re doing with all of your side hustles – pushing.
What a great life you have set up for yourself! It sounds like just enough structure to keep you on point but plenty of time to do what you want to do. I’m really looking forward to the day when multi-hour workouts are just part of the normal routine and not something I have to put off until the weekend.
Thanks Derek, keep plugging away and you’ll get there!
I just can’t get over the fact your standard is to only sleep 7 hours a night 😉 I need 8-9 pretty much every night, unfortunately.
I try for 8 every night and sometimes I get it. I think my anxiety levels often prevent me from getting it every night, I think you can identify. Sometimes it keeps me up, but more often my anxiety wakes me up early.
I had that happen to me the other night. It’s the worst.
How is it possible that we find ourselves on a similar wavelength or maybe that is just how I see it. I am at this weird point where I don’t want to do much for anyone else anymore (lots of volunteering) as it creates anxiety that doesn’t benefit me. I am finding my days feel a little bit lost, I need some sort of structure and end goal maybe. I haven’t really tied to focus hard on the blog as a stronger revenue stream, maybe thats the route to go for a purpose. Anyhow, good post and I feel ya man.
I think you’re right that anxiety accompanies almost all paid work at some level. When I’m designing a custom logo for someone’s blog I get lots of anxiety that they’re not going to like what I give them. I think some level of this is good to keep sharp and to keep from becoming lazy, but the hard part is finding and holding the line.
Exact same feeling when I am asked to write an article or shoot photo content, fear of failure I guess.
No surprise, you’re a morning lark!
I’ve had to mediate minor conflicts that boiled down to scheduling disagreements between lark and owl types in the workplace, thank goodness for the shift towards flex hours. I was just explaining to an old friend (their life to date divided between Asia and Europe) that in the U.S. and Canada, it’s generally considered quite rude to telephone someone socially starting about 9pm and certainly after 10pm, unless it’s an emergency – my friend was flabbergasted.
As such I never get tired of learning about other folks’ daily routines. I do find it illuminating, perhaps inordinately amusing, that you didn’t list your mealtimes since those are generally a highlight for many 🙂
One thing I have come to appreciate about having a link to office work is that Saturdays and Sundays are still a break in weekly rhythm – the pace of the world feels a bit more chill.
That post is older and my routine has changed somewhat, as for meals I generally try to follow a 16-8 protocol of time restricted eating (16 off, 8 on). I generally eat only 2 meals a day with maybe a small snack in between and try to maintain a 4-5 hour window from my last meal to bedtime. On days when I do a long bike ride or long run I have to eat more of course, because despite what many online say, exercise is indeed a great way to lose weight an burn calories. They’re just not doing it hard enough, haha.