Embrace Your Unique Journey: Live Life on Your Own Terms
From a young age, we are ingrained with the idea that success is tied to traditional milestones: education, stable employment, marriage, homeownership, and a comfortable retirement. Yet, these definitions of "good" often reflect the expectations set by previous generations rather than our own desires. What if YOUR version of fulfillment lies beyond those conventional markers?
Matt
12/9/20243 min read
Imagine a life free from the burdens of mortgages, student loans, and other financial obligations—a life rich with experiences and adventures across the globe.
Success...
as defined by society, is like the ultimate checklist of adulting. Graduate high school? Check. Go to college? Check. Get a job with a desk, a badge, and free coffee? Big check. Get married, buy a house, and start investing in throw pillows for the “vibes”? Check, check, check. Then, one day, you wake up in a home you don’t entirely own (thanks, mortgage!), surrounded by reminders of a life that feels more like a Pinterest board than your actual dream.
Let’s hit pause for a second. Whose version of success is this anyway?
The Inheritance of "Good"
From the moment we’re old enough to understand the concept of "being good," society starts dropping not-so-subtle hints about what that looks like. Good means earning a degree, good means climbing the corporate ladder, and good—for some reason—always means having a 30-year financial commitment to a house. (Seriously, why does "good" come with so much paperwork?)
But here’s the kicker: the blueprint we’re following was designed by past generations who lived in a completely different reality. Back then, buying a home was attainable, retirement was predictable, and you could work at one company your entire life without experiencing an existential crisis every Tuesday. Their milestones worked for their time. But times? They have changed.
Redefining "Great"
Now, imagine throwing that societal checklist into a metaphorical shredder. Instead of chasing "good," you’re pursuing "great." What does that even look like?
Maybe it’s ditching the idea of owning a house and using that down payment to fund a year of traveling to places you can barely pronounce. Maybe it’s rejecting the traditional 9-to-5 in favor of freelancing from a hammock somewhere in Bali (or at least a really comfy chair in your backyard). Maybe it’s embracing minimalism, so you can spend more time adventuring and less time Marie Kondo-ing your clutter.
A "great" life isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about creating moments that leave you breathless, inspired, and alive.
It’s about chasing what sets your soul on fire, not what earns a polite nod at the family reunion.
The Joy of Being Mortgage-Free
Owning a home isn’t inherently bad. For some, it’s the dream. But if the idea of a mortgage makes you break out in hives, take a beat. There’s no universal rule that says renting forever, living in a van, or crashing with friends is failure. I have done all of those things at one time or another in my life. There was even a point in my life when my nickname was "bagman" because I carried all of my possessions in a duffle bag. (That's making you cringe right now isn't it?) If anything, it’s freedom—freedom to move, freedom to pivot, and freedom to skip mowing the lawn every Saturday.
Without a mortgage, student loans, or other financial obligations weighing you down, you can allocate your resources toward what truly matters to you. That could be starting your own business, supporting causes you’re passionate about, or finally taking that salsa dancing class you’ve been talking about for five years.
Write Your Own Definition
What’s so liberating about redefining success is that the possibilities are endless. There’s no one right way to live a fulfilling life.
Maybe for you, it’s working three days a week and spending the rest of your time kayaking.
Maybe it’s saving aggressively so you can retire at 40 and learn to bake croissants in Paris.
Or maybe it’s something completely unconventional, like starting a goat yoga retreat in the mountains.
Whatever it is, it’s yours.
So, take a deep breath and ask yourself: what do I actually want? If it’s the checklist, that’s great.
But if it’s something entirely different, that’s even better. You’re not obligated to live someone else’s dream.