I hate my job.
It’s Monday again! I don’t want to go to work.
I don’t like my boss, he is such a pain in the ass.
I have so much work, I don’t have time to go on vacations anymore.
Sounds too familiar? I bet.
Been there, done that. For 12 years as a matter of fact.
My 12 years in the corporate world were not all shitty. I did learn a lot, made a lot of friends and mentored by the best in my industry. Straight out of college, I accepted the first job that hired me because back then, I don’t know anything. I have a business degree which can be applicable to almost any type of job in any industry. Aside from that, I was perfectly clueless about what I want to do with my life.
That’s what adulthood is like apparently. Not knowing what you want and just figuring everything out as you go along the way.
For 12 years, I was following what society was dictating, trying to fit in the norm because that’s how I was raised. Heck, I even got a post-graduate degree without any valid reason. The only reason I did it because the rest of my siblings have second degrees and I don’t want to be the odd one out. Yes, PRIDE got the best of me.
But I didn’t regret any of it. I still see it as a good investment.
Funny thing, though, as soon as I finished my MBA, I started questioning where my life is going. I had a good career, living alone in a business district, bought a condo and traveled a lot. You’d think I’d be happy given that kind of lifestyle but no, I wasn’t. Why couldn’t I be normal and be satisfied with what I have?
It’s simple. Because human nature wouldn’t let us be contented.
So, there I was laying on my bed at 3 in the morning, thinking and craving for something more. And crazy enough, it had nothing to do with material things or having more money. I craved for something deeper and more meaningful.
It went on for weeks. I was totally clueless and confused. Felt like I was missing something, that there was so much more to life and that my life was meant for something bigger.
And so on my birthday in 2014, the only thing I wished for was CLARITY. I wanted answers. Thankfully, Universe was listening and granted me my wish. Everything from that point became clear.
When 2015 came, I decided to quit my job, sell everything I have and travel halfway across the world, literally, to South America. I was determined to make it happen and I did.
June 2015, I left Manila and headed to Brazil. I was 32. I traveled for 14 months until it was time to go back home because reality caught up with me. I didn’t want to go home to be honest but I had to face the responsibilities I left when I went traveling.
Going home was bittersweet. It was nice to see family and friends again but I feel I don’t belong here anymore. And worse, got my heartbroken and hit rock bottom yet again. I wanted so bad to get out again but guess what? I have no job, no money, and no clue as to what to do with my life.
It was indeed a wake up call that it’s time to PULL MY SHIT TOGETHER, and fast!
Slowly, I started crawling out of that blackhole. I finally landed an online job and got the motivation back to run the online business I started with Miquel.
But is this the life that I wanted? Hell no. Far from it. Everything I am doing now is just a means to an end.
What’s my end goal then? To be financially independent and create a sustainable travel lifestyle. I will definitely travel again but this time, I’ll make sure to do it right with no responsibilities haunting me.
And that’s the life that I want to create.
I see my life now as a case study and a blank canvass. Through this blog, I want to show my readers the possibility of bouncing back and starting from scratch to finally live the life that I love.
How will I do it? Through these steps:
Step 1) Determine my short-term (monthly) and long-term goals (1 – 3 years).
Monthly goals are geared towards growing this blog and fixing my finances, and my long-term goal, is to finally board that plane again and travel half-way across the world to Central America this time. My timeline? 6 months to 1 year. Very ambitious indeed but challenge accepted.
Step 2) Apply the “Subtraction is Creation” method.
Simply put, I will have to let go of things, even people, that drag me down and hinder my progress. And that includes closing down the online business but more on that on another post.
Step 3) Live below my means.
I am earning more than enough but because I have responsibilities to take care of, I need to spend less and live way below my means. For this to be effective, I track all my expenses on a spreadsheet to see how much I am spending on food, transportation, etc.
Step 4) Ditch bad habits so I can create more and consume less.
That means less time watching TV and surfing Facebook, and more time reading, networking, writing and pinning.
Step 5) Work 16 hours a day.
I am not punishing myself. It is a choice. 8 hours are spent on my online job and the other 8 hours are spent growing this blog. Eventually, I will be quitting my online job but only when I’ve reached my goal of obtaining financial freedom through this blog and other income streams.
I see this blog not just a platform to share my stories and encourage people to strive for financial independence and create the life that they want, but also as an investment that will help me create a sustainable travel lifestyle.
Talk about hitting two birds with one stone!
Once again, I am determined on making this happen and I know I will. I am thrilled just knowing what Universe has in store for me, knowing I am on my way out again and this time, for the right reasons.
I hope you will join me in this crazy adventure of creating the life that I want and learn in the process as well. Every month, I will share with you my progress in terms of my financial status and growth of this blog. I will even share tips on how you can start your own blog and earn extra income.
If I can create the life that I want at 34, there’s no reason why you can’t. Let’s stop with the excuses, shall we?
Sending you love from my side of the world! Cheers!