If you’ve ever wondered if the golden handcuffs that keep you content enough with the great salary, benefits, and two weeks of vacation a year are escapable, then you are in good company. There’s this whisper that thinks outrageous things like ‘what if you quit this job’ that you don’t particularly enjoy and do the things you always wanted to pursue? What if you only did work that you love, felt passionate about, and spent as little or as much time on vacation as you deemed appropriate? Yes, I get it, you were able to put a stranglehold on such an outrageous idea almost as quickly as that thought bubble filled your mind (pop!). Then the whisper comes up again, cajoling you with, ‘come on, just do a search on ‘quitting your job’, only this time the thought is entertained for a second longer, until one day you acquiesce and give into that urge and assuage your curiosity. Once the results are displayed on the screen, you gasp in shock and horror, look around furtively, as the realization sinks in that you are not alone. There are a plethora of people with the same idea that took action and pulled off the great escape from the rat race! Here is a brief look into the manner in which I made a 40 yard dash, Usain Bolt style, out of my soulless job and haven’t looked back since!
The first step was to build up an eme in an awesome city with a rich history of arts, a local college, and a thriving arts community. This area was full of museums that were free to the residents of the city, had lots of free concerts and performances, and plays from the local college where available at a steep discount if you purchased seasonal tickets-score for me! Another thing that defrayed the cost of staying active and healthy was instructing a yoga and pilates workout class at a local yoga studio several times a week. This had the added bonuses of keeping me fit, a free membership at the studio, while also earning money on a part-time basis. There was also a period of time where I volunteered a few hours a week at a local fargency savings fund that would cover a year’s worth of expenses in order to pacify the fearful lingering voice- ‘you’ll be homeless within the year’-a fear many harbor upon embarking on this journey towards financial freedom. Of note, many recommend 6 months for single people, however, one year was more assuring as a means of allying the fear of homelessness. This target savings was obtained through frugality and maximizing my savings. Strict budgeting is not something that appeals to my sensibilities, however, it’s a great tool in the onset of your journey, so for a month, I grudgingly tracked my expenses.
The second step, perhaps the most important part for me, was paying myself prior to ever seeing any of the money in the bank. This meant savings were automatically placed into my investment account as soon as payday arrived, hence, lessening the urge to splurge-out of sight, out of mind….kinda! Fun and entertainment abounded for free or at a minimal cost. This was a benefit of livingrm and received free vegetables and honey straight from the honeycomb (ummmm!) in return!
To escaping the rat race. I read a slew of articles, blogs, books, and constantly listened to podcasts on people that were already retired, semi-retired (like me!), or on their journey. These people were unknowing mentors and bolstered my resolve to stay the course when the voice of ‘it’s going to take forever’ or ‘this is too hard’ reared its
Education played a key role on the journey ugly head, hence surrounding myself with positive and like minded people by extension. Did I mention a boss from hades was an amazing catalyst too?!
This journey of rediscovering the purpose of my life-writing and inspiring others-was facilitated by great coaches, healing did not happen in a vacuum. The first coach was able to help shine a light on the false belief ‘there is no other path outside of pharmacy.’ This coach literally unveiled and awakened a sleeping creative and free thinker. The next coach supported my desire to create a side-hustle in a self-empowering manner that insisted that all the answers were inside. Seriously? The force is in me-stop, surely you jest?! Nope. This was revolutionary and freeing in terms of galvanizing the inspired actions taken to achieve several goals that ultimately led to my great escape from an unfulfilling job. Oh, and that first side hustle did not pan as hoped, however, it ignited a passion for exploring a path outside of the dominant narrative of work a 9-5 until you retire in your golden years. The value of coaching has been a massive boost on my journey towards breaking free from the golden handcuffs of a pharmacist salary.
Here are a few practical tips that may help you on your journey:
- Save 6-12 months of living expenses
- Calculate the amount you will need to save to say goodbye to the rat race using the 3 or 4 percent rule
- Educate yourself and become financially literate
- Pick your path(s) to FI (rentals, entrepreneurship, or investments) and surround yourself with other like minded people
- Invest in yourself and address any ideals, beliefs, or actions that may be unconsciously holding you back
- Celebrate wins along the path of your journey to FI
- Find fun ways to do the things you love for free or at a discount
- Perhaps, start and maintain a practice of mindset, mindfulness, and movement to gain insight into your true purpose and reacquaint yourself with your feeling if you’ve been living in a state of half awake and half dead which has left you feeling numb
Ultimately, saving 4 years of living expenses gave me the courage to walk away from that unfulfilling position and begin writing and inspiring others as a change coach. So, it is my hope that you will take one small step every day towards your goal of living a more fulfilling and joy filled life. Most of all, may you escape the rat race!
Check out her blog at: http://lifechangingjoy.com