It does feel great, although the feeling doesn’t match the expectation. A mindset shift happens, and you perceive the world differently.
As everyone is looking forward to achieve the FIRE number, we have also planned to unplug on this special D-Day. I had worked hard for years to reach the finish line. But is it really done? Can I just give back my staff card, wave goodbye and quit the rat race? Is it that easy?
6:30am
The sun starts to penetrate the room through the side of the curtains. I slowly wake up and remember that today is the Day! A smile comes to my face as I stretch like I’m finally breaking free from the chains of the system. I enjoy staying in bed for a few minutes before going to my daily routine. I try to appreciate each moment as if it is the first time. Will all mornings going forward be the same? (Spoiler: No!)
7am
My wife and I enjoy our breakfast with minimal celebration. We make our fresh homemade juice with orange, lemongrass, and apples. We sip and cheer at the beginning of our new life. A quick shower later I will be ready for my commute to work.
7:30am
Although it is still early in the morning, the sun is already shining high in the sky and the surrounding humidity makes my walk to the bus stop a little unpleasant. But should I really complain? It is a special day; the weather is hot and sunny. Let me enjoy my walk as I go to work because I want to, not because I need to. Also, the change of temperature helps me grasp the reality of what is happening. There is no ecstatic euphoria, but a sense of peacefulness and relaxation.
8am
I am seated on the bus. Everyone is on the phone, checking social media feeds, or replying to messages and emails. People are comfortable repeating their daily routines, the same way as I was yesterday. But today is different, I feel that I found a way out of the system. I enjoy looking at people’s faces and expressions. There are so many real emotions, although most are pre-scripted by the content of information that they are exposed to. I switch from my bus to my train for a couple of stations. I am still in my extra-sensory experience, surreally fascinated by everything happening around me.
8:30am
The office is still quiet. I enjoy this time of the day when I could still get some work done before it starts to get very busy and noisy. Although I dreamt for months to throw my resignation letter to the face of my boss, I decided to simply enjoy the day and avoid useless and frustrating meetings, which also means I will try hard not to cross path with my boss today. I will spend more time with nice and smart colleagues, contributing to solving real problems. I still bless today as my last day in the rat race. Now I am finally financially immune to the stress of work. Am I really? I won’t have to compromise my values or personality in order to comply with some managerial and customer requests. I can finally work on what makes sense and say what I have on my mind.
10am
My first meeting is with the newly appointed Chief Operations Officer of the company. I reached out to him a few weeks back as I was working on a project which should likely fall under his responsibility. I simply wanted to share with him the scope, objective, and progress on the project. The conversation was pleasant as I took some of his feedback into consideration, and he was pleased with my achievements. Curiously enough our conversation shifted from the project to the company’s culture, and his honesty came more at a surprise than his opinion. He told me “You are the most positive and energetic person I’ve met in the company so far! Everyone is sad and apathetic; you are doing the right thing!”. I doubt he would understand why I project this energy and positivity. I smiled and kept the reason to myself. Everyone else is still in the rat race, trying to survive without being noticed, staying under the radar. To the contrary, today I feel lighter and the urge to be honest in my interaction.
11am – 6pm
To my surprise, the rest of the day continues to be enjoyable. I am happy to spend time with some colleagues and friends although I am still in stealth mode about my FIRE plan. This situation makes me reflect. Is today really different from yesterday, or is it just the way I anticipate the day to be that set up my mood? Obviously, today is very similar to yesterday, or last week in the office. It is my mindset which is totally different, and change how I am perceiving events and managing my emotions.
7pm+
My wife and I are going out for a small dinner. It is not a fancy restaurant as we are still very frugal. We want to have our own mini celebration for this milestone. In a few months, my wife will also pass her contribution target towards our FI number. Meanwhile, I would continue to go to work but under my new terms. I actually decided that I will inform my boss that I was planning to go back to Europe within a couple of months. Before that happens, I would continue to perform my activities to the best of my capabilities, and draft a succession plan because it is the right thing to do.
So no, I didn’t resign on my D-Day.
How do you expect your D-Day to be? Or maybe you are taking the day off to mark the transition between before and after FI? Or you will go and shout out your achievement on Reddit, just to enjoy the GFY replies? This is your Day, so spend it the way you want and make it worth!
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