I have been mostly experimenting with new ideas, trying to find some interesting new verticals within which I can start a new business or perhaps change course completely and help other entrepreneurs reach their goals. So I´m considering starting my own angel investment firm as it has been a life long dream of mine. However, the harder I look, the less excited I get about the state of early stage tech companies - especially here in Europe where I currently live. I wish Scandinavia´s startup scene was in better shape but I´m getting somewhat discouraged having seen how tiny the supply of well thought-out early stage businesses is.
I spend more time with my kids, retired parents and friends, I cook more elaborate meals, go to the seaside/trails, cycle and walk more, read books, go to the gym/Jiu Jitsu, play/learn guitar, tackle the never ending list of things to be done around the house, learn something technical, do some online courses, occasional consulting. That’s about it.
I think I’d need something bigger to work towards if it was the rest of my life though. I’d probably start a small software company.
Sadly, lots of people make it all the way to retirement without ever really finding their $X. They're suddenly dumped out on the world with nothing to do and have to scramble to find a hobby. But it doesn't usually seem to work. You don't want to learn Fly Fishing at 65 because you have nothing better to do. You want to have it have been your passion for the last 30 years and now you get to go out and pursue it for real, all day every day.
Like a few others on this thread, I got myself into this position pretty early in life (through slow, deliberate, effort rather than exit event, but with essentially the same result). Fortunately, I already knew what I wanted to do every day.
To sum up: Find your thing today and start doing it. Today. Don't wait until some magic event in the future that may never come.
I read a lot of fitness articles about joints and fixed things that were broken about my body with careful therapy exercises. You have to keep fit, but you have time to do it the fun way, so I took up ice skating, kayaking, and skiing. With enough time to read and practice you can get lots better than most adult learners.
I didn't visit any friends and don't regret that at all. I played with a lot of nieces and nephews.
There is still more entertainment in the world than you can consume even 24/7, and you can still wish for more free time even when you have nothing but. I would stop working in a second if I didn't have to.
Although, one thing I will also do is feel guilt that everyone else is working and I've got it so nice. Even though I came by the money honestly, it's just a waste of potential. I'm not sad I quit the job I couldn't stand but I'm glad I went back to work eventually.
I'm working on incorporating aspects of that ideal day into my every day. As others have mentioned, there's no use in waiting until 'one day' to start.