Should I retire early? Got kind of lucky

[gourami]

I got very lucky with my investments and my net worth recently reached $3 million USD. It's not FU money, but it does give me options. I can retire now in my 40s or work another decade+ to further increase my nest egg.
But I ask myself, why work? I don't love or hate my my job, but would rather do other things. All I do is eat, sleep, surf the net, play video games... all relatively cheap. I want to travel a bit and then retire in Thailand because it's very LGBT friendly, offers a high quality of life for low cost... (No I'm not interested in sex tourism, but that's besides the point). I currently live in a US suburb, it's stable and predictable but kind of boring. Now I have the option to travel some, retire, and enjoy life while I'm somewhat young, or I can continue accumulating wealth into my elderly years...but why?

I'm thinking if I die with millions that I never get to enjoy, did I really win? or will that be a big lose since I deprived myself for nothing. It might make sense if one has children and wants to leave an inheritance, which I don't have. It's just such a big change to transition into retirement especially in another country. Wondering what others think?

 

[BiBtm64]

I guess you should ask yourself, if you retire in your 40s will you continue to feel like you have a purpose in your life. Work is a big part of most people's lives - for better or for worse - and suddenly stopping will leave a big hole in your life. It's a good idea to retire with a plan of what else you'll do to fill your days and give yourself a purpose. Maybe eating, sleeping, surfing the net, and playing video games are all fun things to do, but is that all you want to do for the rest of your life? What about your role in your work? In your 40s you may be in your prime, able to contribute, mentor younger people - maybe consider if any of those things are important to you. If you're doing those things now in your work, or whatever else makes you feel important, leaving will leave a big hole. Consider what will keep you socially engaged as well.

It's all entirely up to you, of course. I can offer the above advice because I'm in a similar situation, but older. Financially I could retire but I don't quite want to, just yet. I'll consider easing off and working part time or casual after I quit full time, because I've thought about it and I know it would leave a big gap for me.

 

[KaraBulut]

But I ask myself, why work? I don't love or hate my my job, but would rather do other things. All I do is eat, sleep, surf the net, play video games...

No.

If you want to change jobs or get work that offers more flexibility, that's fine. But you are already in a situation where you're not doing a lot of social activities. Not working will increase your social isolation. You have another 20-30 years of life and the research shows that people who remain active and have a reason to get up each morning are more likely to have longer, happier lives.

You might look into what others in your situation have done that allowed them to have a fulfilling life but at the same time, stay engaged and involved.