I didn't realize until I left America has overwhelming its "message" is: Work your ass off to get really rich, and buy lots of things which will give you status and make you happy. It seems fairly ridiculous now. But I don't think the leap is NEARLY as dramatic as most people think, at least if you've never really fit in in America. I keep saying, "My life is FAR less stressful than it was before." Then again, I'm not living on a sailboat!
Living on a sailboat, I can say my life is less stressful — finally! I used to get so nervous every day before sailing, but now it’s more routine. And the beauty ALWAYS outweighs the moments of chaos (though I know the day is coming when that won’t always be true for the day, but may be for the week or month).
I’m doing a deep clean & reorg this week, so who knows — there MAY be a Substack Live in the offing. Thanks for engaging, Brent. I look up to both you and Michael for what you’re doing and what you’ve created on Substack!
You touched on something really powerful when you said, "It can be hard to accept that you’re an outlier who is not happy following the set of options that might make other people happy."
To me, there’s a quiet courage required to stand in that truth, especially when it feels like everyone else is marching to the same beat. It's a journey of self-acceptance, learning to trust our inner compass even when it points in a direction few others are taking. This recognition that our unique journey isn't a flaw, but rather a profound strength, is truly empowering. It gives us permission to design a life that genuinely fits us, rather than trying to fit ourselves into a life that doesn't.
Thanks for the comment, Alexander! Indeed, it’s a strength to recognize this. I’ve also found that it doesn’t even require being critical of those who are happy with the norm — unless they’re forcing that down our throats! You’re spot on that we need to design a life that fits us. It’s hard, but it’s probably the most worthwhile endeavor of all.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm a very logical thinker and explainer. It's going to be a process to unwind from that. For some of my articles, though, the goal is to explain some of those logical frameworks that help/helped me. Logic is what helped me overcome my fears, and I know it can help others, too. But I hear you! I'm still experimenting with different approaches. The emotion is coming!
Yup, I too walked away from what my life was supposed to look like and went in an entirely different direction. The first was after college, when I immediately dumped my business degree in the trash can and took off to...Australia! Just like you. And then when I returned to the US, I still didn't do the conventional thing, instead becoming a flight attendant so I'd have time to be a writer.
Oh, and then we became nomads eight years ago, so I guess it was three times!
I didn’t know you also went to Australia so young! We had a similar genesis, except I went to college after. When, I was talking to @Jill Amatt - Full-time Nomad last week on Substack Live, I had a lightbulb moment about how formative those early travel experiences were to me. It gave me a taste of what else was possible. I lived in hostels and ate spaghetti noodles with ketchup because I was too broke to afford marinara. But I was on top of the world. When I discovered that, and it was what I loved more than anything, I think it was only a matter of time until I made it my full-time gig.
I think my entire world changed when our flight to Australia had a stopover in New Zealand. We were allowed to deplane and stand on the tarmac. When I saw strange trees in the distance and smelled eucalyptus trees for the first time, I knew a regular life in America wouldn't work for me.
I hear that! I also spent a month traveling around New Zealand alone at 20. It was life-changing. We’re hoping to sail over there! I will never forget Milford Sound, and if we can take our sailboat there, I’d die a happy man.
I didn't realize until I left America has overwhelming its "message" is: Work your ass off to get really rich, and buy lots of things which will give you status and make you happy. It seems fairly ridiculous now. But I don't think the leap is NEARLY as dramatic as most people think, at least if you've never really fit in in America. I keep saying, "My life is FAR less stressful than it was before." Then again, I'm not living on a sailboat!
I couldn’t agree more, Brent!
Living on a sailboat, I can say my life is less stressful — finally! I used to get so nervous every day before sailing, but now it’s more routine. And the beauty ALWAYS outweighs the moments of chaos (though I know the day is coming when that won’t always be true for the day, but may be for the week or month).
Nice to hear! Hope I get to see it one day.
I’m doing a deep clean & reorg this week, so who knows — there MAY be a Substack Live in the offing. Thanks for engaging, Brent. I look up to both you and Michael for what you’re doing and what you’ve created on Substack!
So true!
You touched on something really powerful when you said, "It can be hard to accept that you’re an outlier who is not happy following the set of options that might make other people happy."
To me, there’s a quiet courage required to stand in that truth, especially when it feels like everyone else is marching to the same beat. It's a journey of self-acceptance, learning to trust our inner compass even when it points in a direction few others are taking. This recognition that our unique journey isn't a flaw, but rather a profound strength, is truly empowering. It gives us permission to design a life that genuinely fits us, rather than trying to fit ourselves into a life that doesn't.
Thank you for sharing 🩵
Thanks for the comment, Alexander! Indeed, it’s a strength to recognize this. I’ve also found that it doesn’t even require being critical of those who are happy with the norm — unless they’re forcing that down our throats! You’re spot on that we need to design a life that fits us. It’s hard, but it’s probably the most worthwhile endeavor of all.
I would be interested to know where your heart is…you have explained your process very logically but what do your emotions say to you?
Thanks for the feedback. I'm a very logical thinker and explainer. It's going to be a process to unwind from that. For some of my articles, though, the goal is to explain some of those logical frameworks that help/helped me. Logic is what helped me overcome my fears, and I know it can help others, too. But I hear you! I'm still experimenting with different approaches. The emotion is coming!
Let me explain my comment. There is absolutely nothing wrong with logic.
It is good to recognize however that logic is something we all LEARN, a part of this is us learning and responding to others expectations.
Emotions are raw love. They are our heart speaking about our unique passions.
Often where we find conflict is when our emotions (what we really want) don’t agree with our logic (others expectations of us).
Yup, I too walked away from what my life was supposed to look like and went in an entirely different direction. The first was after college, when I immediately dumped my business degree in the trash can and took off to...Australia! Just like you. And then when I returned to the US, I still didn't do the conventional thing, instead becoming a flight attendant so I'd have time to be a writer.
Oh, and then we became nomads eight years ago, so I guess it was three times!
I didn’t know you also went to Australia so young! We had a similar genesis, except I went to college after. When, I was talking to @Jill Amatt - Full-time Nomad last week on Substack Live, I had a lightbulb moment about how formative those early travel experiences were to me. It gave me a taste of what else was possible. I lived in hostels and ate spaghetti noodles with ketchup because I was too broke to afford marinara. But I was on top of the world. When I discovered that, and it was what I loved more than anything, I think it was only a matter of time until I made it my full-time gig.
Thanks for the comment and inspiration, Michael!
I think my entire world changed when our flight to Australia had a stopover in New Zealand. We were allowed to deplane and stand on the tarmac. When I saw strange trees in the distance and smelled eucalyptus trees for the first time, I knew a regular life in America wouldn't work for me.
I hear that! I also spent a month traveling around New Zealand alone at 20. It was life-changing. We’re hoping to sail over there! I will never forget Milford Sound, and if we can take our sailboat there, I’d die a happy man.