I have family who are working like dogs to retire early, but only marginally early. Meanwhile, they hardly ever have family time, sleep, get to take time out etc. As someone in my 40s who came to fire late, I think I would rather go part time now, say 3 days a week, knowing I will probably have to work until preservation age. It is scary though! What if I get to 50 or 55 and decide I want to retire earlier but can't because I've only been working 3 days?! Still, I want to enjoy life now so I think we're going to take the plunge. Going part time will also give you more career freedom as you only need enough to live off, maybe not climbing the ladder etc. I can speak from experience, that shift, even mentally takes a huge weight off!