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Why a 37-Year-Old Left Her $390K Google Job for a Mini Retirement

Update The Life-Changing Decision to Embrace Freedom Sometimes, life’s biggest adventures start with a simple question. For Florence Poirel, a former Google employee, that question arose during a quiet evening in Zurich. With her partner, Jan, she whimsically asked, “Wouldn't it be great if we were retired?” What was a mere joke quickly turned into a significant life restructuring decision. Florence, at the time earning a lucrative $390,000 a year, realized she had the financial foundation to test out an idea many dream of: a mini retirement. Breaking Away from the Conventional Path Giving up a well-paying job isn’t easy, especially in Switzerland, where living expenses are sky-high. But Poirel was not just seeking a break; she was searching for a life where her time was the priority, rather than her job. With over $1.5 million in savings and investments, she took the plunge, planning for an 18-month hiatus from the corporate grind. Unlike the traditional retirement narrative that often seems so far away, the concept of mini retirements, as highlighted by recent trends, allows individuals across generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, to take intentional breaks from their careers to refocus, explore, and simply live. The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is influencing many to ditch the age-old belief that you must work until you’re in your 60s before tasting freedom. The Lessons Learned During Her Mini Retirement Since stepping away from her desk, Florence has found joy in life's simpler pleasures—reading, swimming, and traveling the world without the constraint of a 9-to-5 job. Initially concerned that boredom would creep in, she’s been pleasantly surprised. "I thought I would get bored very easily, but now, it’s been a year and a half, and I still haven’t had a time of boredom." Her story reflects a growing sentiment that time spent with loved ones is priceless, and financial freedom isn’t just about numbers; it’s about quality of life. Rethinking Financial Independence: A New Perspective Florence’s journey illustrates that financial independence is not solely about retiring young but rather redesigning your career and lifestyle to prioritize what truly matters. For Poirel, that meant avoiding burnout while finding balance. Inspired by the FIRE community, she proactively tracked her net worth and adopted a lifestyle that emphasizes mindful spending and enjoyment over status. She also highlights meaningful insights into maintaining a healthy relationship dynamic while separating finances. With her partner, they split expenses proportionally, which has fostered a lack of financial stress in their relationship. This smart approach could serve as a model for many couples today, blending independence with partnership. The Future Is Bright: What Lies Ahead? As Poirel's mini retirement is set to conclude, she is reevaluating her career path. She’s found fulfillment in coaching women and mentoring them as they navigate their career journeys. Whether she returns to the corporate world remains uncertain; if she does, it will be on her own terms. The traditional path of continual career climbing has shifted for her to embrace flexibility and prioritize happiness. Like many in the FIRE movement and beyond, her story sparks critical discussions about what is possible when work doesn’t define who we are, encouraging a balance between ambition and quality of life. Florence Poirel’s experience exemplifies a growing trend towards reimagining work—one that values our most finite resource: time. In Conclusion: Embrace the Journey Florence Poirel’s experience invites all of us to consider the gifts that come with stepping away from our normal routines. Life is not just about work; it’s about living fully. As we navigate our own career paths, it’s essential to reflect on what truly matters to us, whether it is financial independence, time with loved ones, or pursuing our passions. Perhaps it’s time to reassess our definitions of success and craft a lifestyle that complements our values.