Freedom Rich
“What do you do about healthcare?”
A common question.
“Oh, and what about retirement. Do you worry about retirement?”
Another common question.
The flight attendant sitting across from our bulkhead seats was intrigued. Happy for us, even. She was alternating between laughing/talking with us and gazing out the window, watching land grow closer as our London —> Detroit flight touched down. ”Traveling for over a month at a time – wow,” she said. As is the case with a lot of people, she quickly let her mind get ahead to what she perceived as the shadow side of our life. That’s when the questions about healthcare and retirement came into the picture.
In that moment, I thought about the barriers that people put up. Barriers that keep us from changing. Barriers that keep people unfulfilled. “There are definitely tradeoffs,” I said “but we’re freedom rich!”
At the gate, she watched contemplatively as we gathered our stuff. “I want to see more of the world. With my airline benefits, I should be. And I want to take my two kids to see more of the world. Well… one day, I guess.”
“Do it! Life is short,” I shot back as we were beginning our march up the aisle.
“I will! I’m going to take my kids somewhere this summer!”
Looking back at her, I could tell – by the look on her face – that something had been sparked. She wanted to make a change.
The cost of living an unfulfilled life is great, but it’s easy to settle. After all, living from a place of fear or comfort is well modeled. That’s why so many people take the safe route, or do the “practical” thing, or follow the crowd, or mirror a parent’s life.
Living outside of yourself – outside of what’s truly fulfilling – keeps you feeling small. It’s what creates that nagging feeling that’s always at your side, reminding you that there’s a different path for you. Frustration and complacency creeps in because figuring out that path can seem insurmountable. Thus the choice many people make – day after day – to accept the “as is” rather than chip away at what that path is.
The day that you decide to pursue fulfillment is the day that you embrace living from a place of commitment and eschew a comfort / fear based existence. When you live from that more engaged place, you are “on purpose” and that nagging feeling goes away. Work is more rewarding, and life is more satisfying.
The two of us made choices as part of pursuing fulfillment as individuals and as a couple. It’s how we ended up creating our version of a “No Vacation Required” life and why one of our goals is to inspire others to find their versions of NVR living.
Sure, as that flight attendant tapped into, we only have catastrophic health care insurance and our retirement accounts will never bulge the way they would if we had remained in the corporate arena. That doesn’t matter though. There is no better feeling than the freedom that comes with living a committed, “on purpose” life.
Thank you for todays inspiration. As we plot and save for our long road trip south it is easy to get bogged down in the doubt of others, even though we know what is the right life for us. Thanks for once again encouraging the road less traveled!
Cheers to you both,
Rhonda
Thanks, Rhonda. Glad you found it inspirational! Oftentimes, we get strange reactions for living the life we’ve chosen (for more reasons than one!). We always try to remember that if we’re made to feel crazy, we’re sure that others who want to live a bit differently are made to feel the same way. We want to be a voice for pursuing fulfillment no matter what.
Glad to have people like you in our corner.
Personally I’d love to be both rich AND freedom rich… but if I can only have one, I’d definitely choose the latter.
Well, duh – we want to be both kinds of rich as well
Especially since we JUST got off a flight on which we were upgraded to first class. We got to play all fancy schmancy for 2 hours and 30 minutes (but who is counting!).
Seriously, though, that kind of stuff doesn’t hold any real weight. I’d rather be at peace and fulfilled ANY DAY. (Note to airlines: That does not mean that we will deny first class upgrades.)
Isn’t it cool when you can inspire someone like that? Good for that flight attendant and her kids. (Question: Did you take that photo specifically for this post, or do you take random shots in advance for future unwritten posts that may need a fun pic? Because I sometimes do the latter, and I think I’m weird.)
Fun question! Scott, we took every type of photo imaginable that evening on the coast of Spain. We were feeling particularly happy, grateful and free. Plus, the surroundings, the lighting, etc. were fantastic so we went a little crazy. And cava was involved beforehand (which is probably why we also got making out pictures).
You write so well about this stuff where so many others just churn out empty phrases. I’ve used the “walking the walk” thing before in relation to what you do and it’s appropriate here again.
I am a complete failure in life if judged by such criteria as credit clout, pension wealth, insurance portfolio or property ownership, but I don’t think I ever even really had a taste, or glimpse, of success till put the standard concerns aside and concentrated on my own.
Now I can taste the success. It’s there. I have a chance. That’s wealth, for me.
Thanks, Robin. That’s it… we’ve gotta meet you next time in Spain!
That’s really awesome that you may have inspired her to travel more and maybe even live her life differently. Having catastrophic only health insurance certainly wouldn’t work for everyone, but it’s important to keep pushing for a life that involves more freedoms so you can spend your time doing what’s most important. You’re right, it’s so easy to just keep following the path everyone always tells you to follow.
Thanks for the comment, Ali. Well, I hope we inspired her a little. Honestly, she’s not even the best example of the conversations we regularly get into on the topic. She’s just the one that comes to mind.
For us, it’s about always saying something when the topic comes up because – so often – you really can see people putting up mental roadblocks that, essentially, amount to “I could never do that.” Since a primary goal of ours is to inspire people to find their version of an NVR life, we have to jump on every opportunity we get. Even when it’s an overworked flight attendant after a 10 hour flight
Freedom is priceless!! But I’ve never let years of freelancing and/or traveling stop me from contributing to my IRA or having healthcare. Maybe it’s because I’m single and know it’ll just be me — I need to have retirement!!
We hear you! We still contribute, but our retirement accounts aren’t what they would be with corporate matching etc. And healthcare is another big reason we’re doing all of this now. Neither of us has a health condition (and we try to stay healthy), so we can get away with only limited coverage to protect us in the event of a huge hospital bill. The minute one of us has any kind of condition, that luxury will go away, and we will immediately get more comprehensive care (or move!).
And WHAT in the hell do you mean by “it’ll be just me”
Uggh…I am drowning in the insanity of my “education” job lately. I need to do something about it.
I have instituted a plan to reduce debt in a short period of time as a start…
I need freedom.
my previous post had some serious typos (ack voice-recognition software!). So here’s my second attempt
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now. I’ve made a plan that will allow me to pay off $40,000 in debt in less than four years–ambitious, I know. But I need this freedom, thus, I’m working for it!
Also, I’m working on cultivating a nomadic career (translation and freelance travel writing) all while keeping my management position in place so I can do it all at once.
Keep pushing, hard work now will allow you to be free later! And then we can just be like Kent and Caanan teaching will certainly help you, as you are able to practice anywhere in the world and with way more benefits and free time than in the West (assuming you find the right position abroad, of course!).
It’s a great start, Liane! Once you are debt-free, you are head will be clear. Then, you’ll be able to see what you’re supposed to do –what’s right for you, what’s your passion, what should be your plan to pursue it. Keep going!
Hey… put those flat stomachs away…
great point. everyone has to make their own trade offs! i know i make mine but i’m happy with it. I drive a 16 year old car and i love it. it looks like a beater but allows me to travel!!