I’m having one of the best coffee I’ve had in a long time. For me, a cup of coffee has long been associated with some sort of relaxation, an excuse to slow down and have a break or a way to meet friends or co-workers for a chat (sometimes both).
Which is why today’s coffee is so great.
I’m on the last few days of a busy 3-week vacation through Europe and after going through Spain, France and now Italy, we’re taking it slow for a few days in Rome.
La Dolce Vita.
By what appears to be a magical contraction of space time, the present and the past have merged together. Everything appears to have slowed down. Way down. This is almost surreal. I’m using a 21st century tool that has a useful lifetime of maybe 6 years (a Macbook) to write in front of a building erected before year 0 even existed. And there’s no doubt it will still be standing in year 4016.
Life is amazing.
If this is a what Early Retirement looks like, I can’t wait.
Am I silly thinking this is how (early) Retirement looks like? Have you had such experience before that made you suddenly excited about Early Retirement?
-Nick.
PS: This is a short post today between a visit of the Pantheon and the Colosseum. I’ll be back on a normal post length next week once early retirement holidays are over.
I wasn’t thinking about early retirement then, but on a field trip to Le Mont St. Michel, we ahd a free day to go explore a nearby town named Granville. It was an awesome town, and after checking out some left over air defense posts and generally wandering around, my friend and I stopped at a cafe similar to the one in your pic, and we just sat and had a couple of coffees and got to relax. Most of the trip had been hiking around on tidal flats, digging in the banks of rivers, etc… I think back on that now as “Yes, I can’t wait to sit around slowly sipping some coffee.” Which is the same type of idea where we got our blog name. 🙂
Slowly sipping coffee… Indeed, that is exactly how I felt. You guys nailed it!
We went to the Mt St Michel a few years back and I agree that this is a perfect place to relax and take things slowly.
Retiring in France or Italy would be nice too 🙂
I don’t think I would characterize your current thoughts as “silly.” I, too, catch little glimpses of what early retirement will be like. For example, today has been leisurely so far. I slept in until 8:30, ate breakfast with Mrs. Superhero, and now I’m drinking coffee and reading blogs like yours. I think I could handle this on a permanent basis someday. 🙂
It’s funny how the simplest things are the best, right? And they don’t cost a thing!
Thanks for reading FinanceSuperhero and have a great week!
Having the luxury to buy time is definitely what FI looks like. Now I don’t go to Europe for any less than 6 weeks, usually more like 2-3 months haha just came back from 3 weeks in Texas and felt that I barely landed and had to go. The added time just leads to more mindfulness and enjoyment of the moment.
I wish I could take 3 months off to Europe, but this isn’t compatible with being an employee 🙂
“The added time just leads to more mindfulness and enjoyment of the moment.” That’s precisely why I’m looking forward to early retirement!
Sounds pretty nice to me! I’ve had a few days off lately and was able to do a lot of different things with my family when we wanted. It was great and made me want to work towards FIRE even more!
Isn’t it the best to have this flexibility to use the time with your family as you wish?
I’m glad to hear it’s given you even more motivation! Having a goal is great but keeping the motivation high is even more important. Enjoy the week-end!
This sounds fantastic. I do long for the day of FI. I was just thinking about my number this morning. I might need to rethink it, simplify our lives more, and do a bit more European Travel, but I can’t complain too much with my job. Congrats on the trip…it sounds great.
Jason, I highly recommend European travel for the diversity of countries you can experience in just a few weeks.
Good for you that you’re enjoying your job, this makes your journey to FI more enjoyable than many 😉
Just got back from Rome and ate some over priced food in that same cafe. In fact, we stayed in an Airbnb in one of those buildings on the right – 5th floor with a balcony overlooking the pantheon…it was awesome. Fyi, that obelisk towering over the fountain in the middle of the square is From the reign of Ramses II..way back in BC time.
How amazing, you guys had a perfect spot!
I didn’t know the story of that obelisk, this is even more impressive. Visiting Egypt must be awesome, it’s another country on my bucket list. Can’t wait to go there either.