Took three and a half years off once to backpack around the world. Still ended up with a nice house that's paid off and a great family so it's absolutely possible. Plus, I have no formal skills so it's not like I've been on a doctor's income or anything like that. Great video and I'm keen to see what you come up with on the other channel.
My husband and I took early retirement (I was 53 he was 64). We had worked hard all our lives and saved hard too. Two years after retirement my husband died suddenly - because of the pandemic lockdowns, we didn’t get the chance to do anything we had planned in that time. I am now 56, financially independent, but terrified of doing things on my own. I would love to pick up and travel but lack the courage. Knowing my husband worked hard for so many years and died before he got to reap the rewards of that is one of the greatest regrets of my life. I wish we had cared less about the size of our house and cars and more about enjoying the time we had. So in summary, I completely agree with you.
Thanks for these videos. It’s true that you don’t get to assess where you are when you are distracted by the hustle. And nowadays the hustle is really just for the basics, not anything worthy of your time and energy.
People forget about their Health in order to make money.Then spend their money to recuperate their health in later life.And can be Anxious about the future that they don't enjoy the present.The result is not living in the present or future.People live as if they are never going to die.And then die having never really lived 🙏
Good luck with that in the uk though. They have no interest in your health. (The NHS sounds great bit its a joke especially lately) uk gov Just want you paying taxes until you die before you ever reach pension age!
Wife and I took a year off work, absolutely best thing we ever did, yes it took a lot of saving and cost a lot and could have been spent on something "sensible" but 16 years on I have zero regrets. In fact we talk about doing it again in our 50s when the kids have left home. I feel in modern life we pedal this notion of success that roughly goes: stick in at school, good exam results, University, student loans, good degree, career, salary, promotions, mortgage, save for pension= successful life...... Nothing about fulfilment or life satisfaction. I worry I'd go on this "successful" life journey to get to the end and realise it wasn't worth it and I squandered the prime of my life and my kids childhoods chasing something I didn't care about.
I worked with a CFO who said much the same thing.. he said it was the best year of his life. The sort of confusing thing is that, with his kids left home and he must have had a pile of cash, why he didn't do it again.
Yeah, exactly. My dad worked his socks off for our family. He renovated our house just as Nate has done in Spain as well as simultaneously running his own business employing two other guys, put my sister through university, my brother through private school and supported the education of what would eventually become my career. His aim was that when he retired, to take my mum for a few weeks holiday in Venice. Well... 2yrs before he was due to retire (and he had already sorted out all his pension etc.) he passed away.
I once heard "Stop looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and see the diamonds beneath your feet." We have it here and now, its about our choices. 🙏
I retire in 10 days time, I’m 56. In April I’m headed to the US to attempt a 6 month hike of the Appalachian trail (2,200 miles) Life’s too short not to!
Life is short, don't wait until you're old or when you're retired to travel. It's never the same when you're able & young to go see the world. Sometimes we forget life...we never know what's going to happen tomorrow. Just do it and live & let live, NO regret !
I’ve always felt there was a deep philosophical issue with life being set up around work, only intermittently granting people time for living a life outside of work. Alan Watts already pointed it out; the whole educational system and career driven system engraves deep into the psyche the idea that you’re always working towards something in the future, completely bypassing enjoyment of life in the now. Pension is the pinultimate example, holding the promise to freedom, which you are expected to wring the most out of with whatever is left of your worn out body.
LOVE Alan Watts! So true. For most of us, retirement is a myth. It might have been possible in the old days if you worked for 40 years and paid into a pension that you collected at the end, but these days of gig economy and part-time benefits for full time hours - pensions don't exist.
Great points, Nate. It’s why I worked, saved money and retired early. You are absolutely right about health after 64. I’m 68, still healthy, but I can feel the changes. Just keep moving! Don’t stop!
I'm in my late 50s and I've been aware of this almost abusive relationship we have with work since my teens. I've fallen into the trap of having a so-called regular job a few times. It's so easy to get into the financial trap of buying more stuff than we need and over committing oneself, getting into debt (remembering that every mortgage is a debt too) and so feeling unable to get free from work. BUT... I got out. I set myself free. In fact both my wife and I set ourselves free. We live on our own terms and have done for many years. We taught our daughter this mindset too. It IS possible. You have to think a little differently but you can live a life that has WAY more free time, work far less hours in a week, still have everything you want AND enjoy yourself even more. Thanks for this video, Nate and enjoy your journey.
Nice one Peter. I think it is something that everyone should somehow learn - if we can stop pissing money away on things we do not really need - most of us can really increase our over all level of freedom.
Hi Peter, I really would like to learn more on how to do this even at this very young age. Can you share some more of how to have way more free time and work far less in a week, etc. How to get started, what steps to take, etc. Sorry for asking so many questions. I would really appreciate it.
I had severe health problems over a decade ago, and decided in hospital back then to quit my job and travel (what do I actually NEED?). Well, I'm still on the trail and have met Countless others who chose the same - lawyers, doctors, you name it, who live simply, earn little, but are richer in life than ever before. I earn absolute peanuts now, but I've got time to spend time doing the things I enjoy.. for others it can be the same.. whether it be an outdoors travelling life, or taking up a musical instrument, or just following whatever dream you have. We do not need to be enslaved by living life by someones' or anyone elses arbitrary template of how to live. Think about it; most of us are all born from the womb with two eyes, two ears, an empty mind that yearns to learn, on a blank canvas, and a heart to feel soul and care and love and relationships. Yay Nathan... we need to know when to take a break.. Its not giving up, its 'Life'! 🙏❤
Thanks Nate. Love your videos. You’ve inspired me to invest in my future nomadic life. I can’t tell you how grateful and positive I am for the future which awaits me and my tribe! Thank YOU! Carl (Norfolk, UK)
Great video and I so totally agree with all of it. I'm 62 and a widow and all I want to do is sell everything I own and buy a camper van. I want to enjoy my life while I'm still able to. I keep trying to convince my family of this but they don't seem to understand where I'm coming from. Thank you again for the visual.
All the very best for your future adventures... There's plenty of TH-cam videos to inspire, maybe look at Bob Wells Cheap RV living channel, many of those who he's interviewed (USA) are older women, so it'll give you an idea of how they map out their lives
Does the family need to understand? I’m with you, I’d love to travel in a van, saving for next year. Mine doesn’t understand either but I’ve decided it’s not for them to understand. We have a smaller window of time left and I’m doing whatever I want now, I’ve earned it! Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! Safe travels KC. 😂🇺🇸✌🏽🦋
many have discovered the sentiments you have spoken about here during the covid pandemic. I believe this is why so many employers are having a difficult time hiring staff enough to return to pre-pandemic production, and may never. So pleased to have discovered you along the way. Retirement is way to late to discover these possibilities :) Peace Brother! Rich
Thank you so much. I feel I am burned out. I don't want to work or study anymore. I'm 32, and I feel so disconnected to the world and the people. It freaks me out. I just want to sleep all day long. I need to find a way of making a living differently, so I can enjoy life. I feel like I'm working since I wake up till I go to bed.
Very useful message. And if you feel bad for taking time off, feeling like you're missing out on career or being judged by others then turn it into something positive, enriching, something you can put on your CV and be admired for whilst you're having lot of fun. I took 7 months employment break when my boss was advising me against it. I volunteered in Nepal that was the reason given on the break application. Spent 2 months doing the volunteering itself but to get there overland took me another 4 months, enjoying the trip. It costed me less than 2k including return flight from Mumbai. As Nate says cheaper than living in the UK. I met amazing people and collected memories I will cherish until that last day. If you feel the calling don't hesitate, do it! You live now!
You are absolutley right on point. Also, it’s when you take that brake that you can truly take time to discover if you maybe ought to be doing something completely different as your occupation to feel fulfilled.
🤯 thank you for this view point! My relationship with work is so unhealthy! This video really drives home the reality and is exactly what I needed to hear.
I have a performance review coming up at work (massive micromanagement) - I'm drafting up words along the lines of: as I exchange my (rapidly diminishing) finite time for labour, in return of remuneration (pretty much minimum wage) - I'll endeavour to ensure my output matches my pay scale.. (peanuts :monkeys)
I completely and utterly agree - and I am much closer to the retirement end of the spectrum that earlier in my working life. It's days like today when I think -is THIS what I should be spending my time doing? Thank you for the bigger perspective, the data. My dream - taken from your house Reno video - is getting into/building a net zero/passive house energy property and using that as my spring board to a more balanced lifestyle with oodles more time to devote to my interests and pursuits, because then I will not be working so much just to survive. Thank you for this video.
It's a sad fact, I think it's hard to get that perspective when you are younger. I was really shocked about the average healthy life expectancy statistic.
Yep, I wish I had caught the backpacking bug when I was in college, before a family and career. Back when I could have taken 3 months to do a long hike after graduation. Now I'll have to try to keep myself healthy for another 12 years and see what I can do after retirement.
I have outlived my parents and 2children and 2 brothers.. I am in need of my last days to have some sense of comfort and joy I don't know however what that is. I absolutely love watching bus builds .but I don't drive.
I enjoy your videos and came across this one and it was a bit unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed it it's been a thought on my mind as of late. I'm in gratitude for you sharing this perspective it touched me deeply and really helped me look forward to taking some time off. Pam
Nice one Nate, similar to what I said at the end of my van tour video on your channel. I also like the way you put it on that earlier vid where you said time is the most valuable thing. It is indeed important to have a break to know what you desire, because a lot of the time we don't really know (and then there's Amazon... retail therapy - to fill this void ha)
Good stuff Nate. I took 18 months off to travel at 21, another 12 months at 28, another year at 32. Now at 57 have retired, own property and more travel to come when Covid allows. It's very do-able, just dont get caught up in the consumerist bollocks, don't upgrade your lifestyle unneccessarily when you start to earn decent money. FIRE. Maybe not for everybody, but it worked/works for me. atb
Nice! I am largely working toward FIRE now. When I make money I've always been a saver so it fits easily. As a entrepreneur type how long it takes is the question... But can just keep kicking the can down the road and see where it all ends up
Thank you, Nate, for this video ❤️ It empowers even more the big decision I'm about to make in my life. There's more to life than work. I hope that more and more people act upon that sentence and thereby be able to embrace themselves for who they really are... Much love to you all! 😘 ❤️🍀
A career/life balance makes so much sense. That philosophy is spreading here in the USA. But it is the exception to the rule. We are encouraged to take on debt and that debt is debilitating. Very contrary to the idea in this video. Plan your bucket list early
We both choose to work part-time to enjoy our lives with our kids. That means we can't afford to buy a house and can't spend much for holidays abroad. We don't have a big expensive car to show off with or depend on a retirement when we're old. We both don't want jobs with lots of responsibility so we can keep our focus staying happy together. Our luxury is trying living without too much stress. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we're missing out on something or is everyone else around us is missing out on life?
Henry Ford created the 40 hour working week. That was based on one man providing for his family. Now most families have both parents working 40 hours just to keep a roof over their heads.
Great video Nate and I wholeheartedly agree. Having delayed our sabbatical due to Covid we really need to get it back on track before it’s too late but…the kids, money, pets they all get in the way
thank you for this video. I'm currently struggling with a mortality issue of late and an unhealthy work scenario, this video is all the permission I need. my trouble now is, I'm an over thinker and worry about finances and have no idea how to plan for my family to take this time away from the mouse-wheel life that we're all born and shooed into. any ideas and tips will be greatly appreciated!
It's not about the money. Though, money is also important to have the life we want to have. But our current world puts so much pressure to everyone to be successful career and money-wise. I guess we have to forget what the world tells us, but find the answer inside of us - what is our happiness? What makes us happy, healthy, and free?
Nate, at long last a video that really fits the “Alternative Living, Adventurous Life” bill. This is the kind of videos I have been missing here lately - the video in itself of course being a wonderful justification for not having made more of them… Admitting to oneself that one deserves a break - that’s fairly easy if your character traits have you care little for power, influence, toys, or trophy-spouses of whatever gender. Or if you couldn’t care less whether people think you’re a leech, which takes some guts. Now, if you have fully bought into to the rat race, that’s much harder. But _do_ we really need a break from “work”? The word itself complicates things with its two meanings. The daily drudgery of taking something from here and putting it over there. Or: any productive activity, pleasant or not; dealing with anything that is not the way we want it to be - and then “work” is no longer the opposite of “play”, and “work-life balance” becomes non-sensical (“work-leisure balance” does not). I think the main problem is that our Western societies are still very much organised around traditional Industrial-Age thinking and a deferred-life plan: “Do => Have => Be”. Your work really hard right now in order to have what you need to have. Then, when you have enough of that - and _only_ then - you get to enjoy life. But you never have enough, and pretty soon not only the weekend’s function is to allow us to continue working, but the annual vacation serves much the same purpose. And, before you know it: “If only I hadn’t…” Maybe we need to turn the whole thing around and not just take a break. Let our “work” be an expression of what we are, and then try and monetise it. A “Be => Do => Have” of some sort. How? Good question… next question? UBI might encourage people to try something new. The good thing is that future technology will require much less work of the traditional kind to produce more goods and services. So Western society at large will very soon need a complete makeover anyways. I find it amazing that there are studies suggesting that - despite everything we have invented in the past 200 years, supposedly to make our lives easier - hunter-gatherers appear to have “worked” maybe twenty hours per week, and to have had much more leisure time than we do. And theirs was hardly even “work” in the first sense of the word.
Thanks Thomas! Yes, I would like to make more of this content.. I am just so bogged down with writing a book about it (or similar things). Once done it will be a pleasure to create videos like this - but with less ramble and more punch. The future technology is here already.. we just didn't use it to have more time off, we just used it to make more and more profit. I read once that one way to differ types of work is one as work and the other as labour. Work being what you do for money and do not necessarily enjoy and labour being doing something that you love and might do it for free if someone wouldn't pay you for it. Now of course its not going to be so clear cut - but you get the gist. Then you have leisure - which might be labour - or it might be better seen as rest. Personally I call one 'work' and the other 'projects'. When I call something a project it tends to be something I want to do and probably would do for money or not. TH-cam started off only as a project but over time has morphed into being both project and work. Some parts I would do anyway, some I would not if it did not drive some revenue (that keeps my other projects on the road). Hunger gatherers, they had tough lives, not sure I would trade - but the point that human settlement did not lead to a better quality of life, for thousands of years, is probably pretty valid. I think now we have the productivity that means that not everyone needs to work, and certainly no one should have to work all the time but instead we inflate assets prices (housing e.g.), move the goal posts.. as humans do, so that we cannot reach the thing that is firmly within our grasp.
Nate I have watched your videos all the way from your very first van build and this is the best video I have ever seen from you or even on TH-cam! Thank you for sharing this with people x
This pandemic has really brought it home to me how much I need to reduce the amount I work. I work 2 jobs - civil servant and juggler / performer. This means I quite often end up using my annual leave for the second job so my stats are probably even worse than the ones in the video. Having said that I do love the performing job and I can tolerate the day job. But im 50 now and ive always wanted to do more walking trails. I did the pennine way when I was 19 and just havent had the time to do any more since. I got divorced in 2012 and basically started from scratch with the mortgage and savings. I reckon another 4 years and I will be in a position to go part time or quit the day job.. but now im thinking do I do it sooner ?
In the US anyway, and for engineers anyway, the weekends aren't work-free; they are reduced work. Most engineers end up working for a few hours on weeknd days as well. There always seems to be something that comes up on a Saturday or Sunday that can't wait (though usually it can; it's the owner/manager that thinks it can't wait because they aren't the one who has to deal with it). Since I turned 40, I've decided (too late) not to let work rule my life.
Yes, you are right. Todays work can follow us home and mean that we effectively do not have time off. 40 is better than never (you are still pretty young to be fair) most of us know someone who worked til they dropped.
If your job involves exchanging time for money then repeat.....then life is a structured struggle. This is why so many people decide that they don't need permission to live their best life. The way we work and the ways we can make money today are endless. Technology means that i can work from anywhere in the world and reach everyone in the world. I can do something once......and potentially earn from it forever, which allows me to take a break whenever i want. I just write content for myself and others and earn repeatedly from it.
3 pillars to happiness: Time, Money, Energy In your early adult life you have time and energy but no money Mid life, energy and money but no time End of life, time and money but no energy.
This totally contradicts the American doctrine aka rat race. Nate, I spent my first 29 years in the UK, and now call New Zealand my home. It's become expensive to live here, but not so long ago, you could (if in the North Island - much warmer) - live fairly cheaply - we grew apples , pears, citrus, fijoas, tomatoes in our garden. Now, you need 6 X salary to pay a mortgage. Tiny living, or van life is the way to go.... It'll be interesting to see how governments and councils will contrive ways to tax these "fringe" citizens... Especially if they're not paying rates/poll tax or whatever they call it.
Not right now! I am raging right now.. but I did have a few years off before I started building my house.. and now I am pretty energized by my youtube/writing projects!
![NISAMANEE - TADA (ท้าดา) [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hcQHEPMmJpU/mqdefault.jpg)
Took three and a half years off once to backpack around the world. Still ended up with a nice house that's paid off and a great family so it's absolutely possible. Plus, I have no formal skills so it's not like I've been on a doctor's income or anything like that. Great video and I'm keen to see what you come up with on the other channel.
Pinned this comment because it's a good example of the reality of things. Sounds like good choices were made 👍😊
@@NateMurphy, Thanks Nate. I don't know about good choices - sure, some, but possibly not many bad choices.
@@PatrickHedgesArtist haha fair enough, if you are not making bad choices its probably pretty good
My husband and I took early retirement (I was 53 he was 64). We had worked hard all our lives and saved hard too. Two years after retirement my husband died suddenly - because of the pandemic lockdowns, we didn’t get the chance to do anything we had planned in that time. I am now 56, financially independent, but terrified of doing things on my own. I would love to pick up and travel but lack the courage. Knowing my husband worked hard for so many years and died before he got to reap the rewards of that is one of the greatest regrets of my life. I wish we had cared less about the size of our house and cars and more about enjoying the time we had. So in summary, I completely agree with you.
Working just to survive is not something I can accept anymore, now that I'm in my mid 30s. Life is too short to not enjoy it.
Thanks for these videos. It’s true that you don’t get to assess where you are when you are distracted by the hustle. And nowadays the hustle is really just for the basics, not anything worthy of your time and energy.
So true!
People forget about their Health in order to make money.Then spend their money to recuperate their health in later life.And can be Anxious about the future that they don't enjoy the present.The result is not living in the present or future.People live as if they are never going to die.And then die having never really lived 🙏
That's a nice sum-up!
This is great insight and I appreciate you sharing this as well it's so true.
Good points, well made. Iceland is experimenting with 4 day weeks, and is finding that productivity is actually increasing.
Good luck with that in the uk though. They have no interest in your health. (The NHS sounds great bit its a joke especially lately) uk gov Just want you paying taxes until you die before you ever reach pension age!
Wife and I took a year off work, absolutely best thing we ever did, yes it took a lot of saving and cost a lot and could have been spent on something "sensible" but 16 years on I have zero regrets. In fact we talk about doing it again in our 50s when the kids have left home.
I feel in modern life we pedal this notion of success that roughly goes: stick in at school, good exam results, University, student loans, good degree, career, salary, promotions, mortgage, save for pension= successful life...... Nothing about fulfilment or life satisfaction.
I worry I'd go on this "successful" life journey to get to the end and realise it wasn't worth it and I squandered the prime of my life and my kids childhoods chasing something I didn't care about.
I worked with a CFO who said much the same thing.. he said it was the best year of his life. The sort of confusing thing is that, with his kids left home and he must have had a pile of cash, why he didn't do it again.
Yeah, exactly.
My dad worked his socks off for our family. He renovated our house just as Nate has done in Spain as well as simultaneously running his own business employing two other guys, put my sister through university, my brother through private school and supported the education of what would eventually become my career.
His aim was that when he retired, to take my mum for a few weeks holiday in Venice. Well... 2yrs before he was due to retire (and he had already sorted out all his pension etc.) he passed away.
I once heard "Stop looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and see the diamonds beneath your feet." We have it here and now, its about our choices. 🙏
I retire in 10 days time, I’m 56. In April I’m headed to the US to attempt a 6 month hike of the Appalachian trail (2,200 miles)
Life’s too short not to!
Sounds amazing and congratulations on the early retirement!
Life is short, don't wait until you're old or when you're retired to travel. It's never the same when you're able & young to go see the world. Sometimes we forget life...we never know what's going to happen tomorrow. Just do it and live & let live, NO regret !
I’ve always felt there was a deep philosophical issue with life being set up around work, only intermittently granting people time for living a life outside of work. Alan Watts already pointed it out; the whole educational system and career driven system engraves deep into the psyche the idea that you’re always working towards something in the future, completely bypassing enjoyment of life in the now. Pension is the pinultimate example, holding the promise to freedom, which you are expected to wring the most out of with whatever is left of your worn out body.
Great point!
LOVE Alan Watts! So true. For most of us, retirement is a myth. It might have been possible in the old days if you worked for 40 years and paid into a pension that you collected at the end, but these days of gig economy and part-time benefits for full time hours - pensions don't exist.
Great points, Nate. It’s why I worked, saved money and retired early. You are absolutely right about health after 64. I’m 68, still healthy, but I can feel the changes. Just keep moving! Don’t stop!
Thanks Diane. Sounds like you did it right, I bet you know a few people who did not make it to your age with health intact!
So true, Diane. At 63 I’m in the gym everyday. Moving is the key.
I'm in my late 50s and I've been aware of this almost abusive relationship we have with work since my teens. I've fallen into the trap of having a so-called regular job a few times. It's so easy to get into the financial trap of buying more stuff than we need and over committing oneself, getting into debt (remembering that every mortgage is a debt too) and so feeling unable to get free from work.
BUT... I got out. I set myself free. In fact both my wife and I set ourselves free. We live on our own terms and have done for many years. We taught our daughter this mindset too.
It IS possible. You have to think a little differently but you can live a life that has WAY more free time, work far less hours in a week, still have everything you want AND enjoy yourself even more.
Thanks for this video, Nate and enjoy your journey.
Nice one Peter. I think it is something that everyone should somehow learn - if we can stop pissing money away on things we do not really need - most of us can really increase our over all level of freedom.
Hi Peter, I really would like to learn more on how to do this even at this very young age. Can you share some more of how to have way more free time and work far less in a week, etc. How to get started, what steps to take, etc. Sorry for asking so many questions. I would really appreciate it.
I had severe health problems over a decade ago, and decided in hospital back then to quit my job and travel (what do I actually NEED?). Well, I'm still on the trail and have met Countless others who chose the same - lawyers, doctors, you name it, who live simply, earn little, but are richer in life than ever before.
I earn absolute peanuts now, but I've got time to spend time doing the things I enjoy.. for others it can be the same.. whether it be an outdoors travelling life, or taking up a musical instrument, or just following whatever dream you have.
We do not need to be enslaved by living life by someones' or anyone elses arbitrary template of how to live.
Think about it; most of us are all born from the womb with two eyes, two ears, an empty mind that yearns to learn, on a blank canvas, and a heart to feel soul and care and love and relationships.
Yay Nathan... we need to know when to take a break.. Its not giving up, its 'Life'! 🙏❤
Thanks Nate. Love your videos. You’ve inspired me to invest in my future nomadic life. I can’t tell you how grateful and positive I am for the future which awaits me and my tribe! Thank YOU! Carl (Norfolk, UK)
Thanks Carl! Wish you the absolute best of luck in your plans!
I have three daughters 13, 16 & 18 I've sent them this specific video so they have a chance to plan their future before it's too late. Thank you.
Great video and I so totally agree with all of it. I'm 62 and a widow and all I want to do is sell everything I own and buy a camper van. I want to enjoy my life while I'm still able to. I keep trying to convince my family of this but they don't seem to understand where I'm coming from. Thank you again for the visual.
I’ll join you. 😌
All the very best for your future adventures... There's plenty of TH-cam videos to inspire, maybe look at Bob Wells Cheap RV living channel, many of those who he's interviewed (USA) are older women, so it'll give you an idea of how they map out their lives
@@johnrmeyer1674 well come on then. I'll let you know when I get started 🙂.
Good luck with your journey. Sometimes you just have to go do. People who can't imagine, usually figure it out once they see it in the flesh.
Does the family need to understand? I’m with you, I’d love to travel in a van, saving for next year. Mine doesn’t understand either but I’ve decided it’s not for them to understand. We have a smaller window of time left and I’m doing whatever I want now, I’ve earned it! Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! Safe travels KC. 😂🇺🇸✌🏽🦋
many have discovered the sentiments you have spoken about here during the covid pandemic. I believe this is why so many employers are having a difficult time hiring staff enough to return to pre-pandemic production, and may never. So pleased to have discovered you along the way. Retirement is way to late to discover these possibilities :) Peace Brother! Rich
True, why the feck wait until your body is munted to "live".
Thanks Rich. Yes, I think the pandemic probably shook up a lot of peoples ideas about work.
awesomely said, thanks for posting...we need more reminders like this, it should be mandatory that all the managers at work have to watch this
very inspiring - I knew this before - but this video is the confirmation in a clear way ...❤️
Good to know. Thankyou. Simple things are the best for our soul.😊
Thank you so much. I feel I am burned out. I don't want to work or study anymore. I'm 32, and I feel so disconnected to the world and the people. It freaks me out. I just want to sleep all day long. I need to find a way of making a living differently, so I can enjoy life. I feel like I'm working since I wake up till I go to bed.
This couldn't of come at a better time in my life right now!
So sad, but so optimistic at the same time! Some things is so self-explanatory but so hard to apply. Greetings from Greece
Very useful message.
And if you feel bad for taking time off, feeling like you're missing out on career or being judged by others then turn it into something positive, enriching, something you can put on your CV and be admired for whilst you're having lot of fun.
I took 7 months employment break when my boss was advising me against it.
I volunteered in Nepal that was the reason given on the break application. Spent 2 months doing the volunteering itself but to get there overland took me another 4 months, enjoying the trip.
It costed me less than 2k including return flight from Mumbai. As Nate says cheaper than living in the UK. I met amazing people and collected memories I will cherish until that last day.
If you feel the calling don't hesitate, do it!
You live now!
You are absolutley right on point. Also, it’s when you take that brake that you can truly take time to discover if you maybe ought to be doing something completely different as your occupation to feel fulfilled.
Thanks Cecilia, I totally agree
🤯 thank you for this view point! My relationship with work is so unhealthy! This video really drives home the reality and is exactly what I needed to hear.
I have a performance review coming up at work (massive micromanagement) - I'm drafting up words along the lines of: as I exchange my (rapidly diminishing) finite time for labour, in return of remuneration (pretty much minimum wage) - I'll endeavour to ensure my output matches my pay scale.. (peanuts :monkeys)
I also find the weekend is when you work around the house because you didn’t have time during the week, so you don’t really rest
I completely and utterly agree - and I am much closer to the retirement end of the spectrum that earlier in my working life. It's days like today when I think -is THIS what I should be spending my time doing? Thank you for the bigger perspective, the data. My dream - taken from your house Reno video - is getting into/building a net zero/passive house energy property and using that as my spring board to a more balanced lifestyle with oodles more time to devote to my interests and pursuits, because then I will not be working so much just to survive. Thank you for this video.
Advised reading for those interested in a better work-life balance: T. Ferriss - The 4 hour workweek
Many thanks 😎🍷🚍⚓️🇬🇧
By the time you retire most of us are to Fooked to do the things we've Dreamed of.
I’m 55 and fooked now 🤣🥺
@@samjackson2868 I'm 57,, doing well but got M8s dropping like flies.
@@andrewfelcey5593 So sad, I have too, one just turned 50 and one 56 😏
It's a sad fact, I think it's hard to get that perspective when you are younger. I was really shocked about the average healthy life expectancy statistic.
Yep, I wish I had caught the backpacking bug when I was in college, before a family and career. Back when I could have taken 3 months to do a long hike after graduation. Now I'll have to try to keep myself healthy for another 12 years and see what I can do after retirement.
Thank you for this video. Not only will I watch but use in teaching my well-being class college students. 💪🏻
I have outlived my parents and 2children and 2 brothers.. I am in need of my last days to have some sense of comfort and joy I don't know however what that is. I absolutely love watching bus builds .but I don't drive.
So much wisdom! Thanks for sharing. 🖤
Love this Nate! Thanks so much for your insight ❤
Well said young sir. I agree, and your advice enforces that notion.
I enjoy your videos and came across this one and it was a bit unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed it it's been a thought on my mind as of late. I'm in gratitude for you sharing this perspective it touched me deeply and really helped me look forward to taking some time off. Pam
Nice one Nate, similar to what I said at the end of my van tour video on your channel. I also like the way you put it on that earlier vid where you said time is the most valuable thing. It is indeed important to have a break to know what you desire, because a lot of the time we don't really know (and then there's Amazon... retail therapy - to fill this void ha)
On point Nate . Great to see You back 🙌🙏
One of the best videos on you tube.
Great video. Finding a nice balance is always a challenge!
This was very eye-opening thank for making this video and breaking down all the numbers for us!!
Nice one Nate......
Bloody good job on getting this one out fella ✌🏽
Good strength & go well...
Inspired. Thanks for the reminder to seek more than work.
Just brilliant!
Good stuff Nate. I took 18 months off to travel at 21, another 12 months at 28, another year at 32. Now at 57 have retired, own property and more travel to come when Covid allows.
It's very do-able, just dont get caught up in the consumerist bollocks, don't upgrade your lifestyle unneccessarily when you start to earn decent money. FIRE. Maybe not for everybody, but it worked/works for me. atb
Nice! I am largely working toward FIRE now. When I make money I've always been a saver so it fits easily. As a entrepreneur type how long it takes is the question... But can just keep kicking the can down the road and see where it all ends up
Thank you, Nate, for this video ❤️ It empowers even more the big decision I'm about to make in my life.
There's more to life than work.
I hope that more and more people act upon that sentence and thereby be able to embrace themselves for who they really are... Much love to you all! 😘 ❤️🍀
Dude you're great! Company ets molt bo! Greetings from Catalunya
INCREDIBLE!
Thank you Nate x
Fantastic video, very thought provoking Nate.
A career/life balance makes so much sense. That philosophy is spreading here in the USA. But it is the exception to the rule. We are encouraged to take on debt and that debt is debilitating. Very contrary to the idea in this video. Plan your bucket list early
We both choose to work part-time to enjoy our lives with our kids. That means we can't afford to buy a house and can't spend much for holidays abroad. We don't have a big expensive car to show off with or depend on a retirement when we're old. We both don't want jobs with lots of responsibility so we can keep our focus staying happy together. Our luxury is trying living without too much stress. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we're missing out on something or is everyone else around us is missing out on life?
Excellent video! I really agree with your perspective and appreciate the reminder!
I loved this, thank you! Any other ideas please share them 😊
Henry Ford created the 40 hour working week. That was based on one man providing for his family. Now most families have both parents working 40 hours just to keep a roof over their heads.
Great video Nate and I wholeheartedly agree. Having delayed our sabbatical due to Covid we really need to get it back on track before it’s too late but…the kids, money, pets they all get in the way
Good luck with it to you all!
Nate, what a great video!
Cheers Manny
Lots of thanks!
I want to RETIRE YESTERDAY!!!! I AM SO TIRED.
Very wise words bud cheers 👍🏻
thank you for this video. I'm currently struggling with a mortality issue of late and an unhealthy work scenario, this video is all the permission I need. my trouble now is, I'm an over thinker and worry about finances and have no idea how to plan for my family to take this time away from the mouse-wheel life that we're all born and shooed into. any ideas and tips will be greatly appreciated!
Love this Nate. ❤️👌👍
Great little video! I also appreciate the inclusion of the Spanish days of the week @2:50 😉
I completely agree. Btw, there weren't any subscription link to your new channel at the end of the video.
Thanks man, totally forgot to add it. here it is th-cam.com/channels/0II4HXVqTq5riixAMZB3iA.html
I once heard "Stop looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but see the diamonds beneath your feet."...
I wish Wednesdays and Sundays were days off so rest is spread out instead of 2 days next to each other.
Wisdom beyond your years.
It's not about the money. Though, money is also important to have the life we want to have. But our current world puts so much pressure to everyone to be successful career and money-wise. I guess we have to forget what the world tells us, but find the answer inside of us - what is our happiness? What makes us happy, healthy, and free?
Nate, at long last a video that really fits the “Alternative Living, Adventurous Life” bill. This is the kind of videos I have been missing here lately - the video in itself of course being a wonderful justification for not having made more of them…
Admitting to oneself that one deserves a break - that’s fairly easy if your character traits have you care little for power, influence, toys, or trophy-spouses of whatever gender. Or if you couldn’t care less whether people think you’re a leech, which takes some guts. Now, if you have fully bought into to the rat race, that’s much harder.
But _do_ we really need a break from “work”? The word itself complicates things with its two meanings. The daily drudgery of taking something from here and putting it over there. Or: any productive activity, pleasant or not; dealing with anything that is not the way we want it to be - and then “work” is no longer the opposite of “play”, and “work-life balance” becomes non-sensical (“work-leisure balance” does not).
I think the main problem is that our Western societies are still very much organised around traditional Industrial-Age thinking and a deferred-life plan: “Do => Have => Be”. Your work really hard right now in order to have what you need to have. Then, when you have enough of that - and _only_ then - you get to enjoy life. But you never have enough, and pretty soon not only the weekend’s function is to allow us to continue working, but the annual vacation serves much the same purpose. And, before you know it: “If only I hadn’t…”
Maybe we need to turn the whole thing around and not just take a break. Let our “work” be an expression of what we are, and then try and monetise it. A “Be => Do => Have” of some sort. How? Good question… next question? UBI might encourage people to try something new.
The good thing is that future technology will require much less work of the traditional kind to produce more goods and services. So Western society at large will very soon need a complete makeover anyways.
I find it amazing that there are studies suggesting that - despite everything we have invented in the past 200 years, supposedly to make our lives easier - hunter-gatherers appear to have “worked” maybe twenty hours per week, and to have had much more leisure time than we do. And theirs was hardly even “work” in the first sense of the word.
Thanks Thomas! Yes, I would like to make more of this content.. I am just so bogged down with writing a book about it (or similar things). Once done it will be a pleasure to create videos like this - but with less ramble and more punch.
The future technology is here already.. we just didn't use it to have more time off, we just used it to make more and more profit.
I read once that one way to differ types of work is one as work and the other as labour. Work being what you do for money and do not necessarily enjoy and labour being doing something that you love and might do it for free if someone wouldn't pay you for it. Now of course its not going to be so clear cut - but you get the gist. Then you have leisure - which might be labour - or it might be better seen as rest.
Personally I call one 'work' and the other 'projects'. When I call something a project it tends to be something I want to do and probably would do for money or not. TH-cam started off only as a project but over time has morphed into being both project and work. Some parts I would do anyway, some I would not if it did not drive some revenue (that keeps my other projects on the road).
Hunger gatherers, they had tough lives, not sure I would trade - but the point that human settlement did not lead to a better quality of life, for thousands of years, is probably pretty valid. I think now we have the productivity that means that not everyone needs to work, and certainly no one should have to work all the time but instead we inflate assets prices (housing e.g.), move the goal posts.. as humans do, so that we cannot reach the thing that is firmly within our grasp.
@@NateMurphy "I am just so bogged down" - hmm, it's "do as I say, not as I do", then? 😂
@@ThomasRodde Haha, bogged down in a project that has no guarantee of success of financial reward but I feel is important. Project work is good work.
Nate I have watched your videos all the way from your very first van build and this is the best video I have ever seen from you or even on TH-cam!
Thank you for sharing this with people x
Wow thanks Stacey (and tanks for watching along) ♥️
you beautiful sweet caring man. thank you so much.
This pandemic has really brought it home to me how much I need to reduce the amount I work. I work 2 jobs - civil servant and juggler / performer. This means I quite often end up using my annual leave for the second job so my stats are probably even worse than the ones in the video. Having said that I do love the performing job and I can tolerate the day job. But im 50 now and ive always wanted to do more walking trails. I did the pennine way when I was 19 and just havent had the time to do any more since. I got divorced in 2012 and basically started from scratch with the mortgage and savings. I reckon another 4 years and I will be in a position to go part time or quit the day job.. but now im thinking do I do it sooner ?
In the US anyway, and for engineers anyway, the weekends aren't work-free; they are reduced work. Most engineers end up working for a few hours on weeknd days as well. There always seems to be something that comes up on a Saturday or Sunday that can't wait (though usually it can; it's the owner/manager that thinks it can't wait because they aren't the one who has to deal with it). Since I turned 40, I've decided (too late) not to let work rule my life.
Yes, you are right. Todays work can follow us home and mean that we effectively do not have time off. 40 is better than never (you are still pretty young to be fair) most of us know someone who worked til they dropped.
i love you Nate!
Check the new channel out here; th-cam.com/channels/0II4HXVqTq5riixAMZB3iA.html
If your job involves exchanging time for money then repeat.....then life is a structured struggle. This is why so many people decide that they don't need permission to live their best life. The way we work and the ways we can make money today are endless. Technology means that i can work from anywhere in the world and reach everyone in the world. I can do something once......and potentially earn from it forever, which allows me to take a break whenever i want. I just write content for myself and others and earn repeatedly from it.
Nate, Where is the link to your new channel? I absolutely want to subscribe.
th-cam.com/channels/0II4HXVqTq5riixAMZB3iA.html here you are, thanks 👍
3 pillars to happiness: Time, Money, Energy
In your early adult life you have time and energy but no money
Mid life, energy and money but no time
End of life, time and money but no energy.
So true. I have been lacking money for a long time, and already starting to feel the lack of energy : /
Should be a TED talk
This totally contradicts the American doctrine aka rat race. Nate, I spent my first 29 years in the UK, and now call New Zealand my home. It's become expensive to live here, but not so long ago, you could (if in the North Island - much warmer) - live fairly cheaply - we grew apples , pears, citrus, fijoas, tomatoes in our garden. Now, you need 6 X salary to pay a mortgage. Tiny living, or van life is the way to go.... It'll be interesting to see how governments and councils will contrive ways to tax these "fringe" citizens... Especially if they're not paying rates/poll tax or whatever they call it.
Where was the link to the new channel anyone spot it?
Sorry my man... I totally forgot I needed to add a card. Check it here; th-cam.com/channels/0II4HXVqTq5riixAMZB3iA.html
We just don't realise. Thanks for the jab in the ribs Nate 🙂👍
Thanks for watching!
To do the job we hate so we can buy shit that we don't need to impress people we don't like.
Not what you deserve, it’s what you can afford.
yeah. its true, money is always a limiting factor, but what about what you can afford health wise?
Darling...life is unpredictable.
So, you're taking a break now then? Or what?
Not right now! I am raging right now.. but I did have a few years off before I started building my house.. and now I am pretty energized by my youtube/writing projects!