DH and I planned my escape from workinglife with meticulous care and lots of investigation. My plan was originally meant to take 5 years but eventually it took 7 before we were ready to retire. Part of the plan covered downsizing the house, ensuring our adult children were settled, and making financial plans to support ourselves.
I eventually dug the tunnel out of corporate life last April, aged 59. Despite things being quite different to what we had planned we love every day! Walking in the local countryside, listening to birdsong, with time for our hobbies and crafts ... and just being, is more wonderful than we could have imagined.
It is essential to work out what matters to you, ie material things, travelling etc., and how you will use your time. Of course it would not suit everyone - but we both love each day, even though we cannot travel as we had planned, and we miss our children dreadfully.
Still, we count our blessings each and every day and I can honestly say I have not missed the stress of my former career once.