I recently came to an important realization: Despite being happy with my decision to retire early and truly enjoying so many of the experiences I’ve had since, I had to admit it: my mental health was not where I’d like it to be, probably hadn’t been so for many years, and it was high time that I did something about that!
Bravo, Jason. I also just listened to your Two Sides of FI episode, and you really have done the community a wonderful service by sharing your story. At a minimum, you are planting a seed about how important mental health is. Generally people know about the importance of financial health and physical health, and your reminder about mental health can only help with awareness. I know I’m a work in progress, and it’s very nice of you to share your story. Thank you, and best wishes in your journey!
Hi Jason - I have followed you and Eric on Two Sides of FI since its inception - only recently on this blog - and wanted to come out of lurking mode to thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and sharing deeply. You can add me to the list of people it has had a positive impact on! You and Eric have created some great content, but this most recent episode and post reaches far beyond the FIRE movement. Thanks again for sharing a story so many of us can relate to. Be well!
Hi Kanzen, thanks so much for commenting here. I'm truly appreciative of the feedback. I wish you the very best in all things. Thank you for your support. 🙏
Thank you for sharing! The more we share the more we destigmatize that mental health IS health. Meaningful activities that give us value and purpose also give us diversional escapes from ruminations, which every person has and lives with. Knowing this is part of the human experience lessens the anxiety we experience by THINKING we are alone (in these experiences). Better together
Jason - I just listened to your most recent Two Sides of FI podcast (RE & Feeling Lost). Something kept occurring to me as I was listening, and that was the question of whether you have listened to any of the podcasts by Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab) about dopamine. I wonder if they might be helpful to you in some fashion, as they definitely were for me. As he explains, dopamine is the chemical of motivation, and by learning to use dopamine for motivation of a process (rather than an outcome or end goal), it can change how you do things and what you get done. (I realize you likely know this with your science background, but he takes the info to a new level) He has both long and short episodes on the topic (just search “Andrew Huberman, dopamine” on YouTube). All of his episodes and topics are absolutely fascinating.
I’m also not a natural “creative,” and I function best with lists and an outline that I can then check items off and feel accomplished. I get it. Hope you find this info useful. Best wishes!
it is interesting how early retirement was a good start but one that I was ill prepared for. I thought that once work was done it was all fun and games from there. While it has been fun and games there is also the underlying quest for internal happiness. Several years of therapy have helped greatly. I am on my way to meeting the challenge of been the best me I can be.
Andy, thanks so much for sharing. I'm so glad to learn that your path has been so successful. I'm hoping for very much the same. Best wishes to you in all things.
Bravo, Jason. I also just listened to your Two Sides of FI episode, and you really have done the community a wonderful service by sharing your story. At a minimum, you are planting a seed about how important mental health is. Generally people know about the importance of financial health and physical health, and your reminder about mental health can only help with awareness. I know I’m a work in progress, and it’s very nice of you to share your story. Thank you, and best wishes in your journey!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Grant. I truly appreciate the feedback and your support!
Hi Jason - I have followed you and Eric on Two Sides of FI since its inception - only recently on this blog - and wanted to come out of lurking mode to thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and sharing deeply. You can add me to the list of people it has had a positive impact on! You and Eric have created some great content, but this most recent episode and post reaches far beyond the FIRE movement. Thanks again for sharing a story so many of us can relate to. Be well!
Hi Kanzen, thanks so much for commenting here. I'm truly appreciative of the feedback. I wish you the very best in all things. Thank you for your support. 🙏
Thank you for sharing! The more we share the more we destigmatize that mental health IS health. Meaningful activities that give us value and purpose also give us diversional escapes from ruminations, which every person has and lives with. Knowing this is part of the human experience lessens the anxiety we experience by THINKING we are alone (in these experiences). Better together
Thanks, Kerrie. I really appreciate your comment. Wishing you all the best in the new year!
Jason - I just listened to your most recent Two Sides of FI podcast (RE & Feeling Lost). Something kept occurring to me as I was listening, and that was the question of whether you have listened to any of the podcasts by Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab) about dopamine. I wonder if they might be helpful to you in some fashion, as they definitely were for me. As he explains, dopamine is the chemical of motivation, and by learning to use dopamine for motivation of a process (rather than an outcome or end goal), it can change how you do things and what you get done. (I realize you likely know this with your science background, but he takes the info to a new level) He has both long and short episodes on the topic (just search “Andrew Huberman, dopamine” on YouTube). All of his episodes and topics are absolutely fascinating.
I’m also not a natural “creative,” and I function best with lists and an outline that I can then check items off and feel accomplished. I get it. Hope you find this info useful. Best wishes!
I've listened to some of his episodes but not those in particular. Thanks for sharing the idea!
it is interesting how early retirement was a good start but one that I was ill prepared for. I thought that once work was done it was all fun and games from there. While it has been fun and games there is also the underlying quest for internal happiness. Several years of therapy have helped greatly. I am on my way to meeting the challenge of been the best me I can be.
Andy, thanks so much for sharing. I'm so glad to learn that your path has been so successful. I'm hoping for very much the same. Best wishes to you in all things.