The Two Paths After Financial Independence
Two Paths
The road to financial independence, although long and winding, generally leads in one direction. At the beginning there is a goal, a dream. The way forward is obvious. Earn as much as possible. Save a large portion of income. Invest what is left over. One path with a mighty finish line paved in glorious heights of net worth and pastures of lush green freedom. This super-highway is sometimes so long, that only as one reaches the penultimate mile marker does one realize that the end of the road is not an end at all. It’s actually a fork. All of the sudden, bewildered eyes have to adjust to not one but two paths. A difficult decision lies between the traveller and freedom.
The meaning of freedom, however, is actually what disrupts the conclusion of this once straightforward journey.
Now that financial independence is so clearly in view, what does life look like?
The Road Less Taken
When I dreamt of financial independence in the past, my dreams mainly consisted of spending days doing absolutely nothing. Days where I woke up without an alarm clock, had absolutely no schedule, and rejoiced in the lack of structure and demands on my free time.
I imagined that I would write a few hours a day. Work out every morning. Read all those books that were building up on my list. I have never been a fan of video games, but I suspected that I would take up a hobby or two.
Travel was a big part of this choice of the two paths. During the summer, or after the kids go to college, my wife and I were planning to hit the road. We could live in Europe, or Mexico, or Asia in the winter, and return to Chicago in the summer. I could finally check off all those cities and countries that I had only obliquely heard about, yet yearned to explore.
Relationships would consume my time. I would have countless afternoons for coffee with friends. Every night could be Friday night. My wife and I could go on a date whenever we wanted. I could show up to every one of my children’s games and performances.
You know that dad or mom who is always at the school when you go to pick up your children? That could be me! Ok, I could never be that parent.
Spiritual exploration would also interest me. I would finally have time and energy to meditate. I could read the great philosophers. Maybe come closer to understanding my meaning on this earth.
The Passion Play
The second of the two paths is exactly the opposite. What could I do when not restrained by the shackles of making a living? What business could I start? How could I use my experience as a physician and organizational skills as a side hustler to change the world? I get exited just writing about it.
- I could write another book, and this time actually try to get a publisher
- I could start an automated passive income business
- I could build this blog and really try to monetize it
- I could buy and fix up more real estate.
The possibilities are dizzying and the projects endless. Yet alarms shoot up just as fast as the excitement. How different would this be then my current life now? How soon will I be dragged into activities that are less than inspiring? The last thing I want in financial independence is to dreading an upcoming meeting or task.
A Man Divided
I am truly divided on which of the two paths I will take. I know that life is not so absolute. That I could do a little of both. But knowing myself, if I choose the passion play, I will likely go all in.
I am just not one to hold back.
How about you? Will financial independence bring lazy afternoons on the couch or industrious hours of creating something new?