We’re still learning what it’s like to have two places — one in Minnesota and one in Florida. It’s funny how different the same place can feel depending on why we’re here and how long we stay.

Sometimes a trip to Florida feels like a vacation. We don’t really settle into a routine — we just enjoy the sunshine, check out favorite restaurants, and maybe sneak in a beach day. It’s all palm trees and relaxation, like we’ve escaped the real world for a while.

Other times, especially during our longer winter stays, it feels more like home. There are bills to pay, laundry to fold, groceries to buy — all the usual everyday stuff. The difference is, instead of snow shovels and parkas, we’ve got flip-flops and Pickleball paddles. Still, life finds a way to make you do chores, no matter how nice the weather is.

That’s part of what early retirement is teaching us — the line between vacation life and everyday life starts to blur when your time is your own. Some days you’re productive, some days you just relax, and both feel equally right.

This trip definitely leans toward the vacation side of things. Even with a quiet day on the computer and a little football, it’s a reminder of how lucky we are in early retirement to choose our pace.

How about you — do you find it easy to switch between “vacation mode” and “real life”?

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