Just the other day, I found myself pondering over my drastic lifestyle shift. I’ve often shared stories of my global paddle surfari with my partner, yet I’ve never delved into the ‘why’. Why did we trade our stable, comfortable lives for the unpredictable thrill of adventure?
Trading Office Chairs for Paddle Boards
At 2 pm on a nondescript Tuesday, you’d find me not in an office cubicle but on a paddleboard in the middle of the Pacific, miles away from what used to be my comfort zone. My partner and I have been on this paddle surfari for nearly a year, and every day is a revelation of freedom and excitement.
Before this adventure, life was pretty standard in sunny Florida. I had a stable job, decent pay, and even snagged three weeks of paid vacation annually—a rarity in the U.S. We lived in a quaint, well-appointed townhouse, enjoying weekends filled with beach outings and evenings of yoga and cooking. Despite the satisfaction, there was an undercurrent of desire for something more, something different.
Even before we met, we both harbored dreams of traveling the globe. I used to write essays every day, dreaming of distant lands. To manage the workload, I was hiring Writemypapers to get my paper done. It gave me better grades and freed up time for planning our next great adventure. After our honeymoon—a disguised surf trip in Bali—we knew we needed more. That trip, cramped into just ten nights, was our tipping point.
The Driving Force Behind Our Decision
Our pivotal decision stemmed from a simple desire: to feel free. I wanted to escape the perpetual cycle of writing a lot of homework and meeting endless deadlines. Our society is sculpted to keep us busy, from childhood through to our careers. This constant busyness rarely allows us to pause and contemplate what truly brings us joy.
During a rare break, we watched a play about the life of an adventurer and thinker, which sparked a profound realization in us. It challenged the conventional schooling and working system that trains us to prioritize work over personal growth and exploration. This moment of clarity was when we decided to design our lives around freedom, not schedules.
Dispelling the Myth of Luck
Often, people remark how lucky we are to be living this life. But luck played no part in it. We planned, saved, and made significant sacrifices to make this dream a reality. It’s not about being lucky; it’s about making choices that align with your deepest desires and values.
I encourage everyone, especially students feeling bogged down by expectations and academic pressure, to consider what might be possible if they stepped outside the conventional path. It’s not merely about travel; it’s about choosing to live fully, in a way that resonates with your soul.
Overcoming the ‘Someday’ Barrier
“Someday” is a dangerous word. It’s easy to push dreams to the back burner, waiting for the ‘right time.’ But if not now, when? Life zips by at an astonishing speed, filled with ‘should haves’ and missed opportunities. Don’t let the norm dictate your potential for extraordinary experiences.
If you dream of writing that novel, starting a business, or embarking on a paddle surfari, why wait? The worst that can happen is you find it’s not for you, and you pivot again. Embrace the unknown, for it is the cradle of all possibilities.