Break Up With Your Life
I've come to realize that there's no shortage of content about why you should follow your dreams or how it feels to make big changes. But there's almost nothing about the practical logistics of actually executing a complete life overhaul.
A Manifesto, of sorts
Four years ago, I was a 35-year-old engineer living what appeared to be a perfectly successful life. Good job, nice house, reliable routine. But I felt like I was sleepwalking through someone else's dream.
So I did something that seemed crazy to everyone around me: I broke up with my life.
I quit my job, sold my house, put most of my stuff in storage, and moved into a camper van. Essentially, I completely redesigned how I wanted to live. Not a mid-life crisis, a mid-life correction.
But How?
Ever since I made that dramatic change, people have confided in me that they'd like to do the same. And let me tell you - your dream of breaking up with your life or making a big life change is not crazy. It's scary, yes. But it may be the best thing you ever do for yourself.
So what stops most people? The How
I've come to realize that there's no shortage of content about why you should follow your dreams or how it feels to make big changes. But there's almost nothing about the practical logistics of actually executing a complete life overhaul. Or advice from someone who's executed it (successfully).
Until now!
A "Life Breakup"? A Mini Retirement?
I call it a "life breakup" because that's exactly what it was. Like ending a romantic relationship, sometimes you need to consciously and deliberately break up with a life that's no longer serving you. And just like any breakup, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.
The wrong way: Impulsive decisions, burning bridges, dramatic exits that leave you broke and isolated.
The right way: Strategic planning, financial preparation, systematic execution, and designing what comes next before you blow up what exists now.
If that sounds too dramatic, "mini retirement" is also a phrase I use often, as it signified my departure from a corporate environment for the foreseeable future. Truth be told, I took almost 3 years off from corporate work. And it was absolutely life-changing!
How-To
Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "I need a life breakup, but I have no idea where to start." Or maybe you've been dreaming about it but can't figure out the practical steps. That's why I wrote the following:
- How much money did you save before you felt safe quitting?
- How do you handle the logistics of quitting?
- How did you deal with the fear and uncertainty?
- How is it on the "other side"?
This Could Be Your Story Too
If you've ever felt stuck in a life that's perfectly fine but completely wrong for you, I challenge you to break up with your life. It's daunting, stressful, and at times, incredibly scary, but it remains the best decision I have ever made for myself.
What Am I Doing Now?
I now live in a small mountain town in an apartment on Main Ave. (yes, it's cute). I work in Product Marketing, which I feel aligns perfectly with my skill set as a creative engineer who enjoys writing and creating content. I have a wonderful group of friends with whom I enjoy exploring the area, as well as hobbies like trail running, rafting, and skiing. It's like a page from my dream life, the one I fantasized about while living in Houston. I am literally living my dream. And you could too!