I’m still young. I love that I am still young. I love that I have a loving husband that shares my views on life and is currently side by side with me in search of a lifetime of happiness and freedom to design the life we want to live. We are both still young with plenty of years ahead of us.
Earlier this year I wrote a post about retiring at age 26. I can hear the eyes rolling now. Not only from the 50+ crowd who have been with the same company for 30 years, but from the 25 – 35 yr olds who are saying, “you didn’t even give it a go!” You dropped out at age 26, before you even gave the corporate world a chance. There’s a certain way the world works and you are going off-script. Each person secretly hoping I fail so they don’t have to question their own efforts and traditional views of work.
We recently watched the documentary I’m Fine, Thanks which we backed on Kickstarter. We enjoyed the film, but were left with a feeling of “Well, duh…” The film hightlights the epidemic of mediocrity that most people have come to accept and the few people who have defied it and insisted on living a fulfilling life. We are currently living exactly what the film espouses, which made it less of a jolt of realization and more of a reaffirmation of our decisions. (We’re not nuts!)
If Josh and I succeed with our crazy ideas we have defied the typical rules and possibly jeopardized what keeps so many people comfortable in their own lives. This makes some people feel uncomfortable and threatened. One of my favorite segments in the film discusses this exact issue. I’ve included two direct quotes below:
“If you want to lose a lot of friends, do some epic sh!$.”
– Charlie Gilkey
“It’s like when you’re a kid and you want to do something you probably shouldn’t do. You say, ‘well, so and so is doing it’ and they say, ‘if everyone else jumped off the bridge, would you?’
But the problem is, we grow up and we notice that many of our peers are making the same kind of decisions in terms of their career, in terms of their money, how they think about debt and if we want to do something different, if we want to choose a more unconventional path, then we often encounter resistence, we encounter people who feel threatened by it.
It’s almost like those people are asking us the opposite question. It’s almost like they’re asking, everyone else is jumping off the bridge, why aren’t you? You know, what’s wrong with you?”
– Chris Guillebeau
I don’t think we’ve lost any friends yet, but this year has been pretty epic. People sacrifice their dreams for a feeling of security and because it’s the commonly accepted way to act. On the other hand, we are throwing away that security for the chance to do what we really want.
Back to being young. I get it. I still have a lot to learn, but I don’t believe that I have to learn the same way as everyone else. It definitely doesn’t have to be done sitting at a desk from 9 – 5. I like to learn from others’ experiences and you don’t hear many people wishing they would have put in more hours at work, or spent more time away from their family. I won’t regret making the leap to try and live an unconventional life.
It isn’t about how old you are, you have the same option at every age to take advantage of life. It is not the easy choice, if it was wouldn’t we all be living our dreams? A lifestyle designed by you is for the few that are willing to jump, sometimes blindfolded, in hopes of landing—happier—on the other side.
My goal is not to make more money, but it is to live with less. To be happy with less. We want to make enough money to comfortably support us, but our idea of comfort is constantly changing. A big house, a fast car, and a designer granite kitchen will no longer be a requirement.
I don’t want to live telling myself I’m fine, I want to be able to honestly say that I am doing great!
I remember the first time that I could say this. I had just left my corporate, suit-wearing out-of-college job and followed my passion for exercise into a career as a personal trainer. This was the first time I felt I could breathe. I was working alongside others who were driven to take care of themselves in order to live a healthier lifestyle. The corporate CEO’s that you meet in the business world, I was meeting on a personal level and having real conversations with them about their life and work, while learning how they balance the two. I felt myself making a true impact and could see the changes in the people I worked with. Life wasn’t just good, it was great!
When was the last time that you came home 5 days in a row miserable with your day? How often do you need to chug 3 cups of coffee just to keep yourself awake until lunch? How many of your son’s baseball games have you missed or your daughter’s dance recitals?
Here I am, without a script and encouraging you to join me! One of the most important things I realized is you don’t have to hate your job, you don’t have to be miserable every day, this is your one chance to enjoy life so stop making excuses and overcome the fear that is holding you back.
… but remember I am young and might not know what I’m talking about ;-)…
This is probably my favorite post of yours that I have read thus far! You really put into words what I’ve been trying to explain to so many people for months now! Cheers to you for putting yourself and ideas out there about this topic. We are only young, (and likely naive) but I know we’re chasing our dreams and ours just happens to be away from the 9 to 5 work place world. Now is the time to live life to its fullest!
Thanks Kyle, comments like yours only further validate our thoughts! It’s hard to explain how we’re not just “getting it out of our system” but choosing how we want to live for ourselves, not to please anyone else.
Sometimes I like to think that we know what we’re talking about *because* we’re young. I don’t ever want to lose the idealism that comes with being young–that’s possible, right? 🙂
Feeling like that idealism was slipping away was one of the reasons I decided to make a change. Here’s to keeping it going forever!
In this case, being young and naive can only help. The years and experience usually harden people to a point they can’t mold their lifes the way they want anymore.
“keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreaming it’s time to die…” Blind Melon
First of all, great song. And, I totally agree. Hopefully when I’m older and questioning what younger people are doing I’ll remember what I did when I was their age!
And it’s probably gonna be easier to say then: “heck, just let them young fools make their own mistakes and find out amazing stuff on their own…”
And yeah, it is a hell of a great song. As most of the BM songs.
Love this post. Dave and I feel exactly the same way. After working for 2 years in office jobs we’ve decided to do the same exact thing and follow our wants and dreams to at least try it out. With work it’s not like every single work day is absolutely awful but it’s fair to say we never look forward to the work days and that’s no way to live. Having to get through 5 days to look forward to 2 (weekends) just isn’t enough and we’re definitely going to give the travel and location independent lifestyle a shot and will hopefully come up with more business ideas as we go!
Yes, it’s not like we had any real problems. Just didn’t have a reason why not to try and do what we want! Good luck to you guys!
Thanks! With our flight to Osaka booked for the 15th there’s so little time left and I can’t believe we are finally starting this trip and work and all our regular commitments here in the US are coming to an end!
You’re right – it takes courage to follow your dreams. Congratulations on having that kind of courage! Like you, I can’t understand why people stick to their ruts and come home unhappy day after day after day. Even if it doesn’t mean picking up and roaming the world, people should strive to live their lives pursuing their dreams.
BUT – I’ve also come to realize that to some people, security is more important than adventure and uncertainty. I’m not one of those people, but I hope that they feel the security they seek.
It’s true. While living life your own way is possible for anyone, not everyone wants to make the changes necessary to do it. To each his own. We hope to inspire those who want to change, and want to build the courage it takes to follow their dreams.
I absolutely love this post!! It’s not being young and naive to follow your heart. Who defines what the right path in life is? It’s probably young and naive to blindly follow the path up the corporate ladder and not explore other options when you are young.
All that being said I’m living vicariously through you guys. I love checking in periodically – where in the world is josh today lol. But as much as I’m living vicariously through you I can’t (and right now wouldn’t want to) get up and do the same. I enjoy my job (i see how much i REALLY didn’t enjoy my last one now), I enjoy having a house big enough to host the family/ friends that spend time with us every month and the nanny that takes care of my son and makes my life easier, I enjoy looking forward to those 2 vacations every year and figuring out what we want to see, where we want to go. Its about being happy in what you do and there are many different ways to find that fulfillment. One of my goals is to get down to a part time schedule so I can spend more time with the one kid I do have and the 2 more I plan to have!!!! Stay at home mom- not for me… How i achieve that may vary- may not stay in the corporate world but I’ll figure out what supports my goals.
I love what you guys are doing, I love reading about your journey and this post really captures how much you love it too!!! I’ll check in again in a couple weeks 🙂
Thanks Donna, glad you are following! As much as we talk about how everyone can do what we do (they can) it doesn’t mean everyone should (maybe) :). Like in our “Write a better story for your life” series, our goal is to inspire people to live a life that makes a good story, whatever that may be, and to follow their dreams, in travel, career, or life!
Great post!! While I am not traveling the world I did leave corporate America to stay home with my little boy. Like you, I finally am HAPPY and feel like I am actually doing something important in life! Instead of intense business meetings that I don’t care about I get to see my son learn how to roll, figure out his hands/how to use them and nothing beats getting great big smiles from him (my favorite)!! I feel people can be judgemental of being a ‘stay at home mom’ but I wouldnt trade it. Nick is also now working from home – we are so lucky he is around to watch all these big milestones as well!
We are on two very different journeys but they are both pretty incredible! I am so happy for you two and have loved following you through this year of travels on your site. I can’t wait to see how the rest of your year (and beyond) goes!! Hopefully we can use your reviews for more travel of our own in the near future! Enjoy!
Melissa – While I am traveling around the world which has been an amazing experience, I am also envious of your journey (which I am able to follow thanks to Facebook!) Raising a child is truly a full time job and I love to see the happiness he brings to you 🙂
You mentioned that people can be judgmental of stay at home moms, which I think is true – but I also think that not everyone has the opportunity to stay at home with their children. I am so happy that you are able to experience every new adventure in his life! Keep following and commenting!
Awesome post! I agree with you 100% – it’s now, when you’re young, that you should be following your passions. Why settle for a corporate life that you hate just because it’s what you’re “supposed” to do?
The “supposed” to life is hard to break out of, but we have been inspired by you and other fellow bloggers and hopefully we can help get people out of their comfort zone into a life they are proud to live!
We’re doing it, too! It seems like there’s such a large community if us online, but I know so few people personally who are long-term traveling/living their personal dream. I love to spread the word that it’s possible! We leave for Hawaii in two days to do a Help Exchange, and then on to Australia and New Zealand…
There are definitely a lot of us online, or maybe we’re just more vocal. We’re trying to spread the word as well.
Enjoy Hawaii, we love it there!
I retired at 29 myself and my family members are still asking when I am going to look for “a real job”. My life is brilliant, I enjoy every bit of it and don’t need anything more than what I have. You will encounter more naysayers in life that you can count. People are scared, jealous, intrigued, because all their lives they have been told one needs to have a job and a car payment and a big house and work well into their 60s. Glad you are able to think differently
I love this we still get the “real job” question too – but as long as we are suporting ourselves and living the life we want we are still going to continue to run full force into our un-conventional lifestyle. You said it best, people are scared and jealous and they can’t make this different life (that they want) work for them.
Cheers to retiring! 🙂
Inspirational post that doesn’t just apply to the young (which, unfortunately I am not anymore… damn it). Living the life you want to live has got to be everyone’s priority. Not that living the ideal life is possible for everyone financially or realistically, but getting on that path… just working towards it… vital.
Great point! This really applies to everyone, if you have a picture of what you want in your life – start taking steps now, and it is probably much more attainable than you think it is!
(Age – young/old – is a mental disease! You are as young as you think you are) 🙂
Love love love this post. So needed it!!
Such a great post. I agree that speaking up and saying your willing to try something different can create a bit of animosity amongst others as you’re challenging the structure they believe in. This is why I didn’t really talk about what digital nomadism amongst people before I left my home.
I need to see that documentary!