Financial Independence is Sorta Irrelevant

I have said many times in the past that financial independence is Plan B. An escape hatch when Plan A runs awry. Plan A is life. It’s the purpose, identity, and connections that we build around our existence. There are no short cuts here. No matter how hard you try, you can’t buy your way to contentedness. Money brings wealth. Not health or meaning. Not happiness. The first step to avoiding the money mind meld is to realize that financial independence is sorta irrelevant. If your future plans all predicate on the once I have syndrome you are doomed to be miserable.

That doesn’t mean money is not important. I won’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Saving, frugality, and investing all play an important role in our lives. But they do not build a life unto themselves.

Purpose

Behind any successful well-adjusted person is hiding a deep sense of purpose and conviction. Ultimately, there needs to be a reason to wake up every morning and face the world running. There are no tricks here. No hidden agendas. We all need to have some underlying why to our daily activities.

Your life’s purpose doesn’t need to be profound. It doesn’t need to be thoughtful. And there may even be multiple small threads that you weave through your loom. The details are less important than the innate drive.

Without purpose we flail. We run head first towards accomplishments that rarely feed our souls. Financial independence is sorta irrelevant as a goal. A false sanctuary.

You must understand your why of FI.

Identity

What do you see when you look in the mirror? What words do you use to describe yourself when asked? This is your identity. It is the shelf in which you arrange your most precious belongings. It is the skeleton which holds up your hopes and dreams.

Until you build a sense of identity, it is hard to anchor your purpose. You do what you do in life because of who you are. They are intimately tied to each other.

Identity too can be multi-pronged. I am a father and husband. A doctor and writer.

What you are not is solely a maker of money. Financial independence is sorta irrelevant. It is a tool to strengthen that skeleton of identity. It is not scaffolding itself.

Connection

You are the sum total of the people you surround yourself with. Whether it be family or friends, spouse or children. A large part of purpose is to connect with those who migrate through your sphere of existence. These passing souls will both add and take away. They will mold your core. If you are lucky your identity will even fluctuate.

Love changes people. it creates new purpose and strengthens old.

You can’t buy connection. There is no bid that is high enough.

Financial independence is sorta irrelevant.

Sorta?

Well, money does matter. Financial independence is indeed a tool that we can wield to strengthen our purpose, identity, and connections. The power of self-determining your time cannot be underestimated.

The super power of financial freedom is that it allows you the time and mind space to delve deeper into these other important aspects of your life.

It let’s you fly unhindered.

Final Thoughts

Although we spend a lot of time talking about it, financial independence is sorta irrelevant. The best things in life don’t have a price tag. Contentedness comes from a strong sense of purpose, identity, and connection.

Pursue these things, and you will live a life of riches.

Save a bundle, invest, and be frugal and your riches will multiply even further.