Should I be feeling early retirement guilt? There must be something wrong with me. I don’t feel any early retirement guilt at all for dropping out of Corporate America. I do get a dose of others envy. Even the all too common passive aggressive “it must be nice” comments of disapproval. I just shrug them off or say “it sure is nice”. That reply doesn’t win them over but makes me feel better. No guilt even about saying that because I feel they deserved the response.

No Guilt On Early Retirement #2 Either

Announcing my second retirement brought out even more passive aggressive comments from some. As if it was inconceivable that anyone should retire young again. I think they took pleasure in thinking my return to work was a retirement failure. When asked why I retired from a second high paying career after just 4 years I just said I was finished. I got what I set out to learn and do. I am a Leisure Freak living the retire early and often lifestyle. You see, this is all intentional. There was no retirement-number-one failure.

People Don’t Feel Guilty Showing Off Their New Purchases

Maybe the reason I don’t feel early retirement guilt is that when I wasn’t retired there was never guilt felt by all the people who would show-off or in excitement boast about their new cars, SUVs, boats, big screens TVs, etc. All that stuff they bought with their annual bonus instead of saving for their retirements.

I preferred commuting to work in a 1990 Honda Civic with over 300K miles on it. There was never any gloating about my paying off debts, saving, and investing my bonus. I would only mention what I did with my bonus when asked.

They never did ask.

There was never guilt felt by all the people who would show off their latest released smart phone and go on about their calling and data plan when they saw me use my flip phone and $100 a year pre-pay plan. In fact it was the subject of their mocking. Oh well, to each their own. My phone and plan better fits my budget and lifestyle. I prefer freedom to the latest gadget.

I Did Feel a Different Kind Of Guilt

There was a feeling that some might call early retirement guilt regarding my second retirement. Guilt about leaving my team-mates to have to cover for my work load until the company replaces me. That is if they replace me. However, I covered that issue as more a retire early, retire often trap which I detailed in that “trap” Post.

I have to think my lack of feeling early retirement guilt is validated every time someone enthusiastically asks me how I was able to retire early. That is when I feel pride in what I have accomplished and there is no reason to feel guilt. Not for something amazing that anyone does. I want to feel like I can inspire others to accomplish the same and enjoy the freedom of financial independence. Of being able to follow their passions while still young enough to enjoy it. There is no room for early retirement guilt in that.

Are you retired and have felt early retirement guilt? If still on your financial independence journey towards retirement. Do you think you might feel early retirement guilt when you do get there?