Escape the Ordinary: Designing a Life of Adventure & Purpose
“If you want different results, do not do the same things.” -Albert Einstein
In previous articles, I’ve explored the importance of embracing discomfort, finding purpose, and cultivating inner strength. But what happens when you decide to apply those principles to a radical life change, like taking a year off to travel the world? That’s the question I wrestled with as I began planning my sabbatical. It wasn’t a spontaneous decision; it was the culmination of about a year and a half of introspection and careful financial planning, influenced by several authors.
The first step was confronting my financial reality. Like many, I’d been conditioned to believe that success meant climbing the corporate ladder and accumulating wealth. Influenced by financial minds like Dave Ramsey and Ramit Sethi, I started by tackling debt elimination and creating a detailed monthly budget. Ramsey’s no-nonsense approach to debt snowballing was instrumental in freeing up cash flow. At the same time, Sethi’s emphasis on automating finances and investing strategically helped me build a solid foundation and a greater appreciation for the future value of my existing investments and retirement accounts.
But it wasn’t just about cutting expenses; it was about shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. I realized that true wealth isn’t measured in dollars and cents, but in experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Bill Perkins, author of “Die with Zero” advocates for time-bucketing life experiences and prioritizing them over mere accumulation. I began to envision my life in decades, identifying the experiences I wanted to have in each phase and allocating resources accordingly. It became clear to me that activities like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and doing the W Trek in Torres Del Paine were better to participate in now, rather than deferring them to a future time that is not guaranteed or when I might not be as physically able to participate.
The fear of leaving a secure corporate job was real, but I found solace in Tim Ferriss’s “The 4-Hour Workweek”. Ferriss’s worst-case scenario planning helped me confront my anxieties head-on. What was the absolute worst thing that could happen if I took a year off? Could I recover from it? The answer was a resounding yes. Ferriss’s concept of mini-retirements also resonated with me. Why wait until 65 to pursue my passions? Why not design a life that incorporates adventure and purpose now
Ultimately, the decision to embark on this journey was driven by a desire for authenticity and self-discovery. Inspired by Paul Millerd’s “The Pathless Path,” I embraced the uncertainty that comes with forging my own way. Millerd’s emphasis on mindful living and creating a life aligned with my values provided the final push I needed to dive into content creation, share my story, and leave a secure job for a year of adventure travel and immersion in nature. He is also provided practical inspiration on “prototyping” careers as a means of building income and testing out interests before making a career transition, which inspired me to seek out work in real estate and sales consulting to boost some income during this year of travel.
This wasn’t just about taking a vacation - it’s about designing a life. It was about building passive income streams, eliminating debt, and creating a financial plan that supports my values. It was about confronting my fears, embracing uncertainty, and prioritizing experiences over accumulation. It was about shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and creating a financially sustainable life in the short term and a fulfilling life in the long term. The plan is in motion, and the journey has already started. As mentioned previously, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro was the experience of a lifetime, and my first monthly newsletter in June will recap my journey trekking through Patagonia. Other plans for this year include participating in a spiritual pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, hiking to Machu Picchu, deepening my meditation practice in Tibet, and seeking opportunities for community service in Africa. At the forefront of my priorities are strengthening my spirituality, reprioritizing physical and mental health, spending more quality time with friends and family, and finding opportunities to give back. A mental reframe I had to go through was realizing that this isn’t a moment of decumulating my savings and decelerating my investments, but one of reallocating my assets to invest in myself, something that I think will pay dividends for years to come.
Stay tuned for more articles as I recap my travels and share the lessons I learn along the way. If you’re interested in following along, subscribe to my newsletter, The Vibe, and follow along on Instagram @Tenable Vibrations. Please feel free to comment below and answer one or both questions. I would love to hear from you!
What books have been the most influential in your life?
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