Yesterday was my last day of work at my w2 job, I have officially left my government job mid-way through a traditional 30-year career. I officially have No More Office Door.
Am I crazy? I don’t think so, nor do the hundreds of thousands of people who subscribe to the FIRE movement. Everyone at my job was amazingly supportive, not just my friends but colleagues I’ve never actually worked with, and managers who weren’t even in my direct chain of command. So many people were excited for me, and many of them said they wish they had done the same thing earlier in their career, or wish they were brave enough to do the same thing.
Does it Take Courage to Trust Yourself?
That last sentiment gave me pause. Brave? People have told me I’m brave, or that this change takes a lot of courage. The Miriam Webster definition of “brave” is “having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty: having or showing courage.” Courage is defined as “the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.” Danger, fear, difficult…I don’t think these words describe what I’m doing.
Courage to Solo Travel
I will be traveling solo, which I have already done extensively on four continents over the last 20 years. It’s my preferred way to travel. I look forward to meeting people along the way and visiting with people I know, or having visitors. But on the whole I enjoy traveling by myself because I get to make all the decisions about how I spend my time. I find it easier to travel alone than to plan a trip with others who may have different travel styles than me. And I’ve always found that basic common sense is enough to avoid any dangerous situations. So, danger, fear, difficult– don’t apply to my actual traveling.
Brave to Leave My Job
I think this is more likely what most of my colleagues mean when they say I am brave, or they don’t have the courage. But I think that sentiment comes from not understanding what I’m doing or what I’ve done to get to this point. I’m not taking off on a whim. I’m not planning to eat through my savings and then go get another job with a big employment gap on my resume. No, I began preparing for this years ago when I first discovered the FIRE movement. And that preparation included arranging my finances and investments so that they support me in perpetuity. It is simple math. Every time someone says they wish they could do the same thing, I tell them they can, if it’s something they really want to do, they can make it happen. That’s the point at which they usually wave me off.
Going Against the Grain
I guess it does take courage to do something different from everyone else. No one in my immediate circle of friends or coworkers have left their jobs to travel full time. But when I decided I wanted to do this, I went out and found others who were working toward the same goal. I found podcaster and YouTubers and bloggers, and joined their online communities and have even made some in-person connections this way. So while I am an outlier among my immediate circle, in these larger communities of nomads, FIRE, and solo travel, I’m just one among many. I’m not going against the grain there, I’m joining the club of people who have already started this lifestyle. So it doesn’t seem brave to do what all these other people are already doing.
Coming Out of the Woodwork
What has been most interesting to me is discovering that some of my friends and coworkers DO know about the FIRE movement. Some are pursuing it themselves, some have learned about it and decided it isn’t for them. But I hadn’t spoken with many of my colleagues and friends about FIRE before I announced I was leaving to travel. Since my announcement a number of people have told me they had heard of FIRE but never met anyone who had done it. A few also told me they were on the same path, which was exciting to hear. And a very few (but I hope the number grows) asked me how they can find out more or how they can get started.
Some friends and colleagues have said they are too old to get started, and they most definitely are NOT. There is no right or wrong way, there’s no too early or too late. And while my goal of pursuing FIRE is connected to my desire to travel long term, each can be pursued on its own. Everyone moves at their own pace and has their own priorities.
I didn’t set out to influence my friends and colleagues, and I’m happy with my choice with or without their support (though it’s nice to have it). Those who realize that it’s not bravery that led me to this point, it’s just math and logic, may eventually decide they want to know more, and get on this path themselves. I like that I’m setting an example for them. To any of them that one day read this, I’m happy to answer questions. In the meantime, back to clearing out my house.