Short answer: I quit! But seriously, I've always gravitated towards independent contractor type jobs. Commission sales. Uber Driver. Stuff like that. Eventually, I wrote books to fund my travels. That's my full time income now. You can read all about how I've lived this lifestyle in my book, "I Don't Want To Grow Up"
Yes, the myths we have been taught and believe without questioning. About freedom. And spontaneous living, which is not the same as impulsive living. And happiness. The recipes for happiness include the myth of wealth, "playing it safe."... This is beautiful writing, Scott, thank you. These words run deep!:
"You need to want it more than you want comfort and convenience.
Scott - thank you so much for writing this. It’s so important to remind folks that they have a choice in the life they live. My father is still working at the age of 74 and I’m going to share this w him. We need to live and have passions while we’re here and can do the things that bring us joy.
Which book would you recommend for someone (my husband and I both feel this way)… who doesn’t like the suburb life, who always feel like they are on the move… moving a lot literally and traveling… because there is so much of the world that we want to see? We crave nature and have thought of buying an rv and going the non traditional route… and traveling and road schooling our daughter. I miss nature so much… live in the concrete jungle currently in the suburbs. No trees. A courtyard for a backyard. No bird song. I am inspired by the photographs you take of being in nature. I need nature.
Start with my book I Don't Want to Grow Up. And then if you want more to stay inspired move onto Wilderness The Gateway To The Soul, and Nature's Silent Message. Hope you love them all.
I literally just had this conversation with my partner and our friend visiting us here in Provence. We were out near Montagne Sainte-Victoire…surrounded by that quiet kind of beauty that doesn’t cost a cent, and said almost the exact same thing.
It’s freeing, really. And it makes me question everything that came before. All the chasing. All the “achievement.” Early retirement and slow travel cracked something open in me. I finally have the space to ask better questions - not just about money and time, but about what truly sustains me.
This feels like the seed for a future post… maybe titled: What if Freedom Was Never About the Money?
Short answer: I quit! But seriously, I've always gravitated towards independent contractor type jobs. Commission sales. Uber Driver. Stuff like that. Eventually, I wrote books to fund my travels. That's my full time income now. You can read all about how I've lived this lifestyle in my book, "I Don't Want To Grow Up"
Beautifully written and would support, but to busy enjoying what you write about and have a ton of books! But keep writing! And everyone should retire by 50!
The story of Peter Pan has already been written. Escaping from respectability, jobs, and social encumbrances is certainly not anything that will usher in fulfillment. The reason those things feel hollow is because they are not accompanied with responsibility for doing good, for helping others, for using our combined talents and resources to lift up others. But this doesn’t happen with just. Departure from the mundane responsibilities of life. It happens only when there is an inner transformation of caring for others more than we care for ourselves. I suspect there are many life transforming encounters that can bring about that type of inner change , but a spiritual transformation is one of them.
Short answer: I quit! But seriously, I've always gravitated towards independent contractor type jobs. Commission sales. Uber Driver. Stuff like that. Eventually, I wrote books to fund my travels. That's my full time income now. You can read all about how I've lived this lifestyle in my book, "I Don't Want To Grow Up"
Yes, the myths we have been taught and believe without questioning. About freedom. And spontaneous living, which is not the same as impulsive living. And happiness. The recipes for happiness include the myth of wealth, "playing it safe."... This is beautiful writing, Scott, thank you. These words run deep!:
"You need to want it more than you want comfort and convenience.
Because a lot of what people call “security”
is just fear with a price tag."
Scott - thank you so much for writing this. It’s so important to remind folks that they have a choice in the life they live. My father is still working at the age of 74 and I’m going to share this w him. We need to live and have passions while we’re here and can do the things that bring us joy.
Every time I read anything you write, I just want to wander off into the woods.
Yes Scott, you are so right...I only can but agree! Thank you for sharing your insights and experience.
So well written. Thank you Scott. I particularly liked this line, "I refuse to spend the best part of my life saving the good stuff for the end—
grasping at my dreams when I’m too tired to live them."
Which book would you recommend for someone (my husband and I both feel this way)… who doesn’t like the suburb life, who always feel like they are on the move… moving a lot literally and traveling… because there is so much of the world that we want to see? We crave nature and have thought of buying an rv and going the non traditional route… and traveling and road schooling our daughter. I miss nature so much… live in the concrete jungle currently in the suburbs. No trees. A courtyard for a backyard. No bird song. I am inspired by the photographs you take of being in nature. I need nature.
Start with my book I Don't Want to Grow Up. And then if you want more to stay inspired move onto Wilderness The Gateway To The Soul, and Nature's Silent Message. Hope you love them all.
Yes. Well said Scott. 🙏🏞️🦋✨
I literally just had this conversation with my partner and our friend visiting us here in Provence. We were out near Montagne Sainte-Victoire…surrounded by that quiet kind of beauty that doesn’t cost a cent, and said almost the exact same thing.
It’s freeing, really. And it makes me question everything that came before. All the chasing. All the “achievement.” Early retirement and slow travel cracked something open in me. I finally have the space to ask better questions - not just about money and time, but about what truly sustains me.
This feels like the seed for a future post… maybe titled: What if Freedom Was Never About the Money?
More stories like this one here: @thebenthalls
So how’d you get time off from work still?
Like did you just leave the job and had another ready, or were you able to save a month’s worth of holidays
The logistics of saving for adventures, while still keeping a job that you somewhat like is still something fascinating here
Short answer: I quit! But seriously, I've always gravitated towards independent contractor type jobs. Commission sales. Uber Driver. Stuff like that. Eventually, I wrote books to fund my travels. That's my full time income now. You can read all about how I've lived this lifestyle in my book, "I Don't Want To Grow Up"
Respect my man
Beautifully written and would support, but to busy enjoying what you write about and have a ton of books! But keep writing! And everyone should retire by 50!
The story of Peter Pan has already been written. Escaping from respectability, jobs, and social encumbrances is certainly not anything that will usher in fulfillment. The reason those things feel hollow is because they are not accompanied with responsibility for doing good, for helping others, for using our combined talents and resources to lift up others. But this doesn’t happen with just. Departure from the mundane responsibilities of life. It happens only when there is an inner transformation of caring for others more than we care for ourselves. I suspect there are many life transforming encounters that can bring about that type of inner change , but a spiritual transformation is one of them.