22/02/2024
You haven't noticed it, but something has changed. Slowly, our WORK LIFE has transformed to accommodate this Post-Information Age.
I'm going to say a bold statement: YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK TOMORROW.
OK, hear me out. Never before in recorded human history has such minimal work effort been required for survival. Think of the economic ages:
-Information Age
-Industrial Age
-Agrarian Age
-whatever was before... I guess it was hunter/gatherer.
In our culture, there are resources in place so you won't starve or go unsheltered. But even without considering the entitlements provided by our government, we really do need less work to have a beautiful life full of resources, safety, and enjoyment that no other age has had before.
I've posted on Minimulism before. A simpler life with owning less stuff. This requires much less income.
And the ways you can generate this 'less income' have become limitless. Sure, we all have heard the amazing stories of someone starting a Youtube channel (etc.) and instantly making more money than they ever dreamed. That's cool, but that's luck. You can't count on luck.
But you could follow the same process and have a more minimal response that could support a trimmed-down lifestyle, working only a few hours a week.
Work more and bounce up the ladder to the lavash side of the minimalistic scale. It's pretty good!
"But Casey, I have kids!" Great! Teach them this now while they are young.
"But Casey, I have lots of stuff!" Great! Sell it and you have a headstart on this new lifestyle.
OK, maybe you are not ready for Van Life quite yet, but could you see yourself leaning in the direction I am suggesting? It started by saying no to one additional expense per month. That's it. Keep that up and you will have eliminated 12 expenses off your budget in a year.
This new mindset is creatively rethinking what we think we 'need' to ask ourselves, "What would life be like without _______?"
Fill in that blank with every item on your bank statement.
"What would life be like without Netflix?"
"What would life be like without prepared foods?"
"What would life be like without fast food?"
"What would life be like without Starbucks?"
"What would life be like without pre-packaged snacks?"
"What would life be like without paid oil changes?"
"What would life be like without convenience store purchases on our next trip?"
"What would life be like without one lunch eaten out per week?"
"What would life be like without that new shirt?"
"What would life be like without going to a nail salon?"
"What would life be like without that subscription?"
"What would life be like without a TV in every room?"
"What would life be like without that new tool?"
"What would life be like without a drink at the bar?"
"What would life be like without a car?"
"What would life be like without such a big house?"
"What would life be like without a house?"
"What would life be like without _______?"
"What would life be like without _______?"
"What would life be like without _______?"
Then the fun starts! With your trimmed-down budget, how much do you need to work to just make that new lower budget? Focus on the things that bring you the most income. It might not be your job.
If this interests you, an accelerated path is to not go to work tomorrow. Suddenly, all these suggestions become a lot more immediate! Ha! :)
Certainly, there is a kinder gentler way to more slowly transition into a life with less of the things you don't like and more of the things you do like!
