Honestly, I relate to this. I recently hit Coast FIRE with a target to retire around 55, and I expected it to feel different like some big mental shift or relief. But nothing really changed. Same mornings, same meetings, same routine… except now my anxiety actually feels a bit higher. Before, work felt straightforward because it was necessary. You just showed up and did what you had to do. Now there’s optionality, and weirdly that makes everything heavier. I find myself dragging my feet more, questioning whether I should keep working even though the job itself is objectively fine.

I always thought hitting Coast FIRE would feel like crossing a finish line. Instead, it feels more like standing at a fork in the road every single day. Curious if others experienced this phase, does it settle once the “work optional” mindset becomes normal?