This to me is key. At this point in your life, ERE is an option. But later on, you might not be able to work due to opportunity or God forbid, health. Then what?DutchGirl wrote: During the week off, I also really noticed how I kind of need to work. It gives aim and purpose to my days. So that is something else to work on over the next couple of years. I am still hoping to not have to work at some point, but I should really come up with other useful stuff to do, then. (And "useful" meaning something that I find useful - others may have different ideas about what is useful; but to me it should be interesting/valuable etc).
I often have "Pretend" retirement days where I say, OK, I'm retired, what am I going to do. And I have found that I am very happy just reading and watching documentaries. If I'm solvent enough, I can go back to school. Its that simple. Just one/two things. I remind myself off all the people I don't have to talk to. Its bliss.
I work in an industry where no one gets fired. One guy was technically dead two months ago and now he's in the office looking like he's auditioning for Death in an Ingmar Bergman film. Everyday I remind myself, work to live and don't find my identity in this. One day, I'm just going to say "F-It" and no one is going to care except me and the Mrs.