Living in America we’re brainwashed to believe that the American dream is to have a great job, buy a house, a car, and name brand fancy things. Fill our life and time with “stuff” we really don’t need. Do the 9-5 rat race until we’re 65 and then we can finally relax and enjoy life. In reality, the American dream has life backward, we’re wasting away the best years of our lives working and then retiring when we’re too old to truly enjoy life. We live stressful lives being away from individuals and places that truly make us happy in order to have that dream job, that dream house, and that dream car. Trust me, I had it all and realized that the things I had in my life didn’t fulfill or complete me. I was truly unhappy but most of all empty.
I was successful. I worked hard and had a six-figure job before I was 30. I purchased a three-story condo, drove a nice car, and had enough clothes to fill every closet in the house. I had all the things our society says should make you happy and yet I came home every day and felt like there was something missing in my life. Truthfully and honestly, I always felt my life was very blessed and I appreciated all the hardships and achievements I’ve encountered. I mean, don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for the life I have but at the time I just didn’t know that I was filling it with useless things that didn’t bring me true joy. I went through multiple phases of depression, drinking, crying every night, and always contemplating what I was missing. I admit I was going through a midlife crisis earlier than anyone expected. I had ended a 12-year relationship over a year ago and I felt I lost a part of myself. I hadn’t given myself enough love and attention in the past few years that I lost sight of who I was and where my life was headed.
My life changed in May 2018 when I unexpectedly met someone who planted a seed and ignited a spark in me to open my eyes about life. He was a minimalist, even though he doesn’t label himself that, and a few days after I met him I witnessed him walk away from his six-figure job. It was an empowering moment because I instantly felt a connection to that action. Was I going to waste my life away living an unhappy life based on someone’s idea or was I going to have enough courage to rewrite my own story? Deep down it was exactly what I wanted to do; to leave my job to find a life of passion and purpose because the current life I was living was a shell of a life.
Of course, it’s not a decision you make on the spot or even overnight. I thought about it for days and weeks. I reached an epiphany when I took a spontaneous solo trip for the weekend. I went for a 7-mile hike and asked myself the hard questions and weighed out the pros and cons. It’s really powerful when you spend quality time with yourself without distraction and noise because you’re finally able to hear your conscience and intuition. Everything became so clear on that hike and when I made the final decision to leave, the decision felt right. I was 100% confident and I didn’t have a doubt in my mind about leaving.
As I kicked off becoming a minimalist I started to sell things and give bags and bags of stuff away. I felt happier and free. I sold my condo and everything in it. I also sold my car and now only carry what I can fit in a backpack. I realized I didn’t miss any of these material things that were cluttering my life. Being a minimalist doesn’t mean you have to give up everything in your life, it means throwing out the clutter and holding onto the things that matter in life so you can devote your energy to those main things. Eliminate the need to temporarily buy happiness with material possessions and focus on the fundamental roots of being human. Getting connected back to nature and living in the bliss of mother earth brings instant happiness and gratitude. Treating individuals with kindness and compassion are free aspects that immediately improve not only your life but those that you touch as well.
I left and traveled for 10 months this year. Although it was a roller coaster ride of emotions and experiences; it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Traveling opens your eyes to embrace your surroundings and to live outside your comfort zone. Living simply and only worrying about how else to fill your life with the beauty of our Earth is beyond what any job, salary, or material item can give you. It has taught me to appreciate and value life with fresh eyes and understand that we’re so privileged in America. I know and have lived that there is more good than bad on this Earth and the only way to feel it is to go out and experience it. Everyone is so afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and take a leap of faith because of fear; but I say love over fear. The greatest gift I have received from my decision to travel has been time; time to live my life without the pressure of society’s demands and time to rewrite my pursuit of happiness. I don’t have any doubts about leaving my job but face new fears and challenges every day. I still contemplate and am working towards traveling with purpose and discovering where my calling is. Sure, it’s great to travel and see all the beautiful places in the world but my life would still be a shell, it would still lack meaning if I’m not finding a deeper purpose. I have ideas and goals that I hope to be able to put into motion to help others in need and bring awareness to living a life fulfilled. However, we have one life and we should live it to our own intuition.
