Hey, I retired early, here's what happened:
1. my wife got jealous ("why do you get to work at home, and I don''t) and divorced me so she could have 50% of the wealth. She lied to get the divorce. I worked much harder before marriage than she did, but now she profited. The divorce process was nasty. She was a princess and ungrateful for the lifestyle we had that was the result of my high income and my 75% contribution to family expenditure.
2. But then I found someone new. She's awesome, and even better than my ex-wife, and she earns a lot of money but it's not about money for her.
3. We spend time living together. Making lovely meals, good wine, enjoying friends and family. She still works, but I help manage her portfolio (I'm good at that ;-). I spend my time managing my portfolio, dabbling in side projects, and stuff like that. I have three children, and have them 50% of the time. I get to take them to school, see them after school, etc. No travel, etc.
4. Don't think I got here easily. I worked to get my degrees (more than one) part time. I didn't have a nice restaurant and travel lifestyle when I was young. I missed out on things that many other have. I didn't even have a girlfriend before many other people did.
Sure, as a divorcee with three children, I could have many women. I'm good looking and with a good
bank account. I just wanted one woman I could curl up with at night, who loves me for who I am and also is positive for my children. I'm so lucky I found someone like that, and she is really smart too (PhD). We've done adventures together and are building great memories of travel, food, wine, friends, etc.
I don't have a sports car (I could afford one though). And I don't have a big a*s show off house. But I live in a posh area, and have a two wheeled transport. I don't need to impress anyone other than myself. I impress myself only by living to good values, modest experiences, etc. I also volunteer and help other people : I feel good by giving something back.
I can tell you, life is a different path for everyone. Choose a path that works for you. If you work hard, have good luck, either both of those or one of those, etc and get to retire early, be humble and modest and realise how much luckier you are than 99% of the rest of the world.