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That is so sad. All you can think of is employment? Really?

All I can think of is anything but.

I'm really surprised to see this comment on Hacker News of all places. I would imagine the commenters here would embrace with open arms a period where thy can stop working and really do the things they want. Really do anything. All of those projects you've been kicking around. Do that. Its' really not far off from what you said about working part time for the challenge, but instead you're working for yourself.

> I don't really understand what people who retire so early do with themselves. Employment brings activity and social interaction. It is often challenging and keeps you sharp. When you retire what do you do? Take up painting? If you retire young a lot of your friends will still be working.

It's really more about financial independence than retirement. You can do nothing for a few weeks, realize that you need some purpose, and then find a job/create a job/create a business/make a trek across Eurasia/anything within you financial means.

I don't get why people are so hung up on the usual connotations of retirement. It's not like if you reach a point where you retire, you sign a contract to never do paid/unpaid work or exert any effort again ever.