As much as I wasn't a fan of regular, mundane work, I've come to like it now.
So much of our identity is tied up in our work lives that taking it away leaves us feeling empty.
Also, people, for better or for worse,perceive us through our job and the importance placed on it.
If you lose your job, or retire, then just see how people treat you differently. It doesn't matter whether it's friends or family, in my experience, it's all the same.
So, work, earn and save for as long as you can. FIRE sound nice in theory but unless you're retiring with 'fuck you' money, it's not what it is cracked up to be. Trust me.