This one resonated with me a lot. I needed to hear it today. Most of my life, I felt like a crazy person always wanted a different life than the one “assigned” to peers around me. The sense of alienation gave me so much fear and I did play the game and I was okay for a while, but last year I lost my job over a pandemic layoff and even though I could get another one of those corporate jobs and start over, I just couldn’t convince myself to do it. I can’t explain it. Something inside me kept saying to me in every quiet moment - it’s time. Once you see what’s behind the curtain, you can never unsee it. I’m in my mid 30’s and have mortgage on my shoulders and very little savings, but still I couldn’t deny that voice. I am now in the process of transitioning my work from the meaningless corporate job to social work. I am not there yet and it has been a very difficult transition, but I know it’s a worthwhile risk. I am frightened that I would not be able to support myself financially, which has been a huge part of my identity (well, my socialized identity). But I am going to keep going, and like Scott, I want to be close to nature and live a simple and wild life. It is true no one is watching and no one is grading. The impressions don’t matter at all. All that matters is whether your heart feels in accordance with your truth.
Hi Momo, you're on the right track, definitely. Don't care about the money, it'll come to you when you need it, as much as you need. I'd gone through different stages: university, successful job, travelling, social worker, living in a remote place close to nature. It's possible! Je ne regrette rien 😊 All the best to you 🙋
I felt this so deeply! As a single mum navigating all of it—the fear, the uncertainty, the doubts, I can say this with full honesty: every time I’ve followed what makes my soul feel alive, it’s led me somewhere better. Maybe not easier, but always truer. Leap, and somehow, the net does appear.
There truly are no safe spaces. This life is dangerous and always will be. You might as well go after the dream and live...really live. I definitely agree, Scott.
I've come to the conclusion that life is meant to be an emotional and experiential journey. Don't wait for a tomorrow that never comes! (Or worse yet, one that does!) Go have an adventure! Life is short. Work days are not.
This “Once you stop chasing security... once you stop begging life to feel comfortable and start asking it to feel real... everything shifts. Once you release the version of yourself that was groomed to be accepted, to be liked, to be good—you meet the one who was born to be free.”
I have had several cages. Hopefully working on my last one. Perfect timing.
I followed the same script for years,good grades, long hours, stable career, a version of “success” that looked just right from the outside. But deep down I was always negotiating with myself. Telling the curious, impulsive, creative parts to stay quiet until some future date when it would finally be safe to let them out.
What shifted for me wasn’t a single big leap, but a slow realization: no one was actually keeping score. No one cared if I skipped a promotion or changed direction. Most people are too busy surviving their own stories to audit mine. That kind of surprised me. And freed me.
But I still think this path is not about abandoning everything. It’s about re-owning your choices, even the practical ones. Security isn’t the enemy. It just can’t be the only goal. Otherwise we end up with a life full of cushions but no edge, no growth, no risk, no actual breath.
Yes to all of this! I keep repeating “does this serve me?” and “I have free will” to remind myself that I don’t have to be stuck in ruts and can change anything at any time to be more aligned with what feels fulfilling.
Find your breath and lock into it; this is you. You’re separate from anything else. Just a living mind in a banal world, where you yourself give everything meaning. So, do not care about the wrong things. Live an enjoyable life, and try to make a positive difference!
I’m walking the final month of an education career. With retirement come many conversations with many people and lately, the phrase I’ve been saying, “I feel like I cut in line.”, is reflected in your sentences. The script is written that an education career is no less 30 years. I’m retiring at working 27 years.
Flipping the script. Cutting in line. Charting a new path. “Accidentally Retiring”. I’m here for it all.
I have always felt connected to the natural world. Your words remind me how truly happy we can be.
This one resonated with me a lot. I needed to hear it today. Most of my life, I felt like a crazy person always wanted a different life than the one “assigned” to peers around me. The sense of alienation gave me so much fear and I did play the game and I was okay for a while, but last year I lost my job over a pandemic layoff and even though I could get another one of those corporate jobs and start over, I just couldn’t convince myself to do it. I can’t explain it. Something inside me kept saying to me in every quiet moment - it’s time. Once you see what’s behind the curtain, you can never unsee it. I’m in my mid 30’s and have mortgage on my shoulders and very little savings, but still I couldn’t deny that voice. I am now in the process of transitioning my work from the meaningless corporate job to social work. I am not there yet and it has been a very difficult transition, but I know it’s a worthwhile risk. I am frightened that I would not be able to support myself financially, which has been a huge part of my identity (well, my socialized identity). But I am going to keep going, and like Scott, I want to be close to nature and live a simple and wild life. It is true no one is watching and no one is grading. The impressions don’t matter at all. All that matters is whether your heart feels in accordance with your truth.
I'm excited for you! And glad it showed up in divine timing.
Hi Momo, you're on the right track, definitely. Don't care about the money, it'll come to you when you need it, as much as you need. I'd gone through different stages: university, successful job, travelling, social worker, living in a remote place close to nature. It's possible! Je ne regrette rien 😊 All the best to you 🙋
I felt this so deeply! As a single mum navigating all of it—the fear, the uncertainty, the doubts, I can say this with full honesty: every time I’ve followed what makes my soul feel alive, it’s led me somewhere better. Maybe not easier, but always truer. Leap, and somehow, the net does appear.
I'm so happy you know this to be true...as a result of your direct experience. Trust. Deeply. And more than anything.
There truly are no safe spaces. This life is dangerous and always will be. You might as well go after the dream and live...really live. I definitely agree, Scott.
This was nice. Even living how we want to can be rudely interrupted, tho.
I find the most effective rule to live by is: lower your expectations. Apply it to other people, events, material belongings, etc.
"An expectation is a resentment under construction." It is hard to do, but worth it.
I've come to the conclusion that life is meant to be an emotional and experiential journey. Don't wait for a tomorrow that never comes! (Or worse yet, one that does!) Go have an adventure! Life is short. Work days are not.
This “Once you stop chasing security... once you stop begging life to feel comfortable and start asking it to feel real... everything shifts. Once you release the version of yourself that was groomed to be accepted, to be liked, to be good—you meet the one who was born to be free.”
I have had several cages. Hopefully working on my last one. Perfect timing.
Thank you!🙏
You have no idea how relevant this is right now in my life. thank you
So glad it found you when it did! Divine timing.
I am getting very tired of adulting… this was written to be seen by everyone! 💕
I restacted this to get the word out!
Thank you!
Truth has away of bubbling up to the top and gets your attention. If you are able to eliminate the noise you can hear it loud and clear.
Not everyone finds the same path. You have listened and found yours and it is authentic and beautiful.
My theory is that we can walk side by side. Unfortunately humans have been programmed to race around the track for centuries.
If you’re lucky enough there will be someone else to help you on the path. Perhaps many someone’s.
All the best on the book launch.
Exciting!
Thank you for your sentiment here and your well wishes.
I followed the same script for years,good grades, long hours, stable career, a version of “success” that looked just right from the outside. But deep down I was always negotiating with myself. Telling the curious, impulsive, creative parts to stay quiet until some future date when it would finally be safe to let them out.
What shifted for me wasn’t a single big leap, but a slow realization: no one was actually keeping score. No one cared if I skipped a promotion or changed direction. Most people are too busy surviving their own stories to audit mine. That kind of surprised me. And freed me.
But I still think this path is not about abandoning everything. It’s about re-owning your choices, even the practical ones. Security isn’t the enemy. It just can’t be the only goal. Otherwise we end up with a life full of cushions but no edge, no growth, no risk, no actual breath.
Beautiful share - thank you.
Yes to all of this! I keep repeating “does this serve me?” and “I have free will” to remind myself that I don’t have to be stuck in ruts and can change anything at any time to be more aligned with what feels fulfilling.
Yeah, no one’s is really watching you, neither coming to stop you or save you.
It’s all in your head.
Find your breath and lock into it; this is you. You’re separate from anything else. Just a living mind in a banal world, where you yourself give everything meaning. So, do not care about the wrong things. Live an enjoyable life, and try to make a positive difference!
Later becomes never!! So beautiful explained. Loved your writing. Waiting for more
Thank you so much! In addition to the 7 books I already have on Amazon a new one is coming this summer! Stay tuned. I appreciate your encouragement.
Thank you for writing these words, Scott.
I’m walking the final month of an education career. With retirement come many conversations with many people and lately, the phrase I’ve been saying, “I feel like I cut in line.”, is reflected in your sentences. The script is written that an education career is no less 30 years. I’m retiring at working 27 years.
Flipping the script. Cutting in line. Charting a new path. “Accidentally Retiring”. I’m here for it all.
Congratulations...and thank you for your years of service! In-joy retirement!