I get what you’re saying, I just think you’re justifying your position because you can’t change it. Someone who is financially independent can choose any point along the work/life balance continuum. You can’t.

And lots of people have retired early. Many struggle with it and return to work to find purpose or meaning. But they can choose to do that, and on their own terms. I’ve never heard anyone who has become financially independent wish they were back where they had to work a job in order to survive.

And guess what, if they DID want that, they could choose that too! They could donate their money and go back to work.

They’re more free than you are, no matter how you slice it. It’s OK to acknowledge that.