Before I get into the specifics of how I managed to sustain my lifestyle (and continue to do so), I just wanted to touch on something a little less obvious, but just as important – emotional health.

For anyone considering a move like this, I would first take inventory of your ability to cope with the consequences of your actions. While quitting your job and living on your own terms may sound good in theory, there is a lot to consider. I can tell you that I underestimated how much stress was involved and how hard it was to really break free of the 9-5 mentality.

Ok, all obvious stuff I know, but nonetheless, worth mentioning.

Personally, I found the transition very challenging. In fact, it would have been easy to slip into a prolonged depression had I lost sight of my goals. As it was, it was all I could do to maintain a positive attitude – and I’m generally a pretty positive person.

Society will not let you go without a fight. Leaving behind a “successful career” and breaking free from a “normal lifestyle” was undoubtedly one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. From confronting my own inner negativity, to listening to the “advice” of others, I questioned my ability to see this thing through on a daily basis.

There were many mornings that I awoke to full-blown depression. Negative thoughts and the stark realization that every decision I made, or would make, had serious consequences, weighed heavily on my mind. Many times I felt an invisible force steering me towards failure, poverty and homelessness – and I could do nothing to stop it. Fortunately, after a coffee or two, things seemed a little less grim.

I went through many emotional stages after quitting my job. Initially, there was panic and an overwhelming urge to crawl back to my boss and beg for my job back. That was then replaced by anxiety over my future. I feared becoming homeless even though I had a decent amount of money in the bank. I then went through a long period of guilt at having “given up.”

To this day, I still look at nice neighborhoods filled with fancy cars and think that I could have easily had that too.

If you are a person that is easily swayed by feelings of guilt and by the opinions of others, then you might not succeed in this venture. Maintaining a positive attitude, high self-esteem, confidence, and conviction that you made the right choice is critical. This move has pushed the limits of my ability to stay the course.

Ok, so what have I learned?

Most people will not understand. They will go out of their way to ridicule and belittle you. They will attempt to get you back on track with the rest of society. I am constantly amazed at how others will make it their business to interfere with my life – some with good intentions, and some not so much. I’ve more or less given up trying to explain my “reckless” behavior.

Positive beliefs are critical. Though the rest of society may try to derail your plans, it is ultimately your own beliefs that will make or break you. Many times I find myself consumed by negative thoughts. What I’ve leaned is that I am much tougher on myself than anyone else could be – I’m my own worst enemy. I won’t get into how I deal with this too much (for now), however, suffice it to say, the sooner the negative thoughts are replaced with positive (and more realistic) ones, the better.

Be prepared to deal with a lower social ranking. Do you hate being looked down upon by others, or thought of as a failure? Well, you may want to rethink the whole thing. Unfortunately, society is structured so that career success and wealth are determining factors in one’s social status. Ultimately, you may find, as I have, that this is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. As cliche as this might sound: IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS. I repeat this several times every morning.

You must be able to adapt to any situation. There is no way I could do this while clinging to my former lifestyle. I would simply run out of money. I had to adapt to a radically different way of life. I had to bring my expenses in line with my income. I don’t feel jealous of others. I don’t feel deprived. In fact, I enjoy the challenge and the perks that this “meager existence” presents. I am able to enjoy many luxuries that most 9-5′ers could never dream of.

Ultimately, everything will be ok. I am a true believer in this. As bad as things get sometimes, it won’t last forever.

Filed under: A new life • Becoming self-sufficient

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