It wasn't a choice (forced by corporate mergers) but ultimately a good thing. The first year was pretty rough, even with 6-7 months of it traveling.
Went to my high school 40 and 50 year reunions. At the 40, a lot of friends were jealous that I could manage such an early retirement. At the fifty, the few still working couldn't imagine a transition to retirement. Two who kept working didn't make it to the end of the year.
I find that I spend more time working (12-16 hour days) on things that really interest me, than I ever did working for pay.
But if your work is all that interests you, you'll most likely be happier working until you die at work.
