I retired at 41 to focus on myself. Then, my toddler was diagnosed with cancer, and now I manage his treatment.

The author's son (not pictured) was diagnosed with cancer at age 3.

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• I had always been interested in retiring early.
• I left my job in 2023, years after having my son and publishing my first book.
• Then, at age 3, my son was diagnosed with cancer.

As an elder millennial, I graduated into the 2008 job market armed with a master's degree in creative writing and $20,000+ in student debt. It was a formative experience — that's putting it mildly.