No one talks about the mental anguish that comes with having built up enough of a financial nest egg to know you and your family could walk away from the grind and live comfortably for a few years but not a big enough nut to walk away forever. And you’re still too far from the sweet release of retirement or permanent FIRE to make it a reality.

Really? You think that is mental anguish? Have you ever experienced any other form of mental anguish?

Tell me you grew up well off, without telling me you grew up well off.

This is mental anguish? I would LOVE to experience this level of mental anguish. This would be a dream.

Mental anguish? Take some of those savings to therapy.

Maybe anguish is the wrong word. A certain level of frustration, for sure. In anything when you can smell the finish line but can’t quite get there it’s a different feeling then not having it in front of you at all. In reality it is an incredibly enviable position by almost any standards (except those that have achieved it) but for that person, in the moment, it’s that feeling of being so close you can taste it, but know you still have a number of hoops, hurdles and terrible clients and colleagues to deal with before you can.

I thought this was going to end with what lots of older people have to do, which is drain that fund prematurely thanks to layoff. All valid stressors in any case, but if you’re securely employed it’s maybe a little less existentially dreadful (at least to me)

I agree with some other comments about this being tone deaf. It’s a privileged position to be in, when one can afford to live comfortably, without a job, even for a few years. Compared to probably 75% of the working population that is surviving paycheck to paycheck and can’t afford to buy a house or save enough for retirement. This is on top of rising inflation and the sword of layoffs hanging over their heads. It’s almost like a billionaire who’s whining about an unaffordable Gulfstream.
Count your blessings.

I’m in this position right now, and can’t justify leaving because of the benefits. If we had Universal Healthcare, I would be out of the corporate world and just start a side business doing content creation or drop shipping to make it last until retirement.

They don't talk about it
1. Because it's tone deaf and sounds like a humble brag.
2. Most people who have managed to save that much have a half full mind set and would see the end in sight.
3. To have this cushion is such a stress relief. Angst just doesn't enter the equation.

You know what. I’m maybe halfway to my goal, but I have less anguish than when I was 0% of the way there

Anguish? No its just a fun daydream

It’s a better place to be than not. Compounding. Let it compound.

1st world problems…

OP doesn't realize how privileged they are to have amassed enough to walk away from work, even ifnjust for a few months, while many people are still living paycheck to paycheck.

One of my uncles is still working full time in a physically demanding job while in his 70s because he doesn't have enough money to retire after using up his retirement savings in an attempt to keep his 15 person small business from going under during COVID.

[While his PPP loans for payroll were waived, he used personal savings to pay rent, taxes, and utilities on his store and warehouse, both in NYC].

Work harder 😇

OP just letting you know I hear you and get it.