I was working. Jaded, upset, tired of my routine.
Then I quit my job the first time, realized that unemployment was fun, but I needed more money to keep it going.
So I went back to work again this time with a goal...
Then I quit my job the second time... And I was pretty ok for quite a number of years.
Then I found out about a freegan lifestyle... trying to get free stuff when it's possible, when really needed, I still pay, but why pay when I can get it for free. It's just an enhancement from being frugal. And nothing is more frugal than free.
Then around 1.5 years after freegan...
I landed up in Paris. Which is now...
And I look back at my old days and the person I once was...
And... he's not there anymore.
My old mindset, my feelings, my resentment about why does life have to be so miserable that people/I have to keep working, etc... That's all gone.
Now, this journey has been a period of growth... I have to say that this path was necessary for me to appreciate what I have.
My first unemployment taught me that I was happy with less. I'm ok to be unemployed and that the sun will still rise when I'm jobless. The world doesn't come to an end without a job.
And this allowed me to go back to work with a goal to "retire" early.
When I left my job the 2nd time. I thought I didn't have enough resources. I still needed 3-4 years of accumulation to really get financially free. So I expected to go back to work sooner or later, or maybe get some part time stint.
Then I chanced upon a freegan lifestyle... it opened a whole new world and perspective for me. It's not easy for many people to see or accept it. But when I was introduced to it. Things just clicked.
My expenses dropped tremendously. My lifestyle INCREASED. Got BETTER. I had more food, better quality food than when I used money to buy. Cos when I used money, I bought cheaper stuff cos it's more value. After freegan, I got free stuff and these things are better than what I would use money to buy.
This went on for 1.5 years.
Then suddenly my wife got posted to Paris and I was dragged along...
Never in my life would I think I would end up in Paris. If anywhere, we thought we might end up in some English speaking country, like US (San Fran, NY) or UK (London).
Yet here I am, in Paris... continuing my freegan lifestyle. Somethings are paid for... but food is free. I got myself a make shift toilet rack for free too.
And all this happened in around 12 years. ONLY 12 YEARS!!! It's crazy!
So the thing is... I'm a really different person from before. The way I look at things. How I think, what I think are issues or non issues. How I would solve problems, etc... I look at them differently, see things differently.
So yea... I think the old ERSG is really gone...
My mindset is just different. I'm still frugal, still look for ways to save money and live a simple life.
But how I approach it is different. Also, I believe more that people should have balance. Not just save hard and retire. But maybe find a simple "job" and live a simple life.
I do have a "job" currently. It keeps me occupied, and I think it's important for people to be occupied.
I'm a freegan. I go around trying to get free stuff.
The "job" should make you happy, keep you entertained, keep you occupied, and hopefully you get some form of return from it, which can help sustain your lifestyle.
And I think each person owes it to themselves to try to attain this form of balance to find something that they are happy to do for an extended period so that they can lead a more fulfilling life, instead of being like the old ERSG, where he was jaded and unhappy and stressed and ate a lot cos he wasn't happy with life.
I think it's important to take active steps to plot a path and make changes or adjust expectations so that you'll be able to live the life you want to achieve.
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