What would you do to pursue the things that you know will make you happy?
This is the question that I’ve been battling for ages.
Be happy and poor like most artists that I know. Or be rich and miserable like most executives that I know.
This is of course not a fact for everyone. I’m sure there are lots of artists that are also rich and maybe some executives that are happy (though I haven’t met one yet in my 8 years of being a corporate slave).
Maybe there’s a perfect compromise? Don’t you think? I personally don’t know.
My Personal Dilemma
I’m struggling not to go back to the cubicle world. I still have some money left that will help me survive in a couple of months. And I’m gonna use that remaining months to generate a living online.
For the meantime, I’m learning how to become an online entrepreneur and I’m also learning how to earn from doing what I love.
Sounds like a great plan isn’t it? F*ck, I really don’t know. I do understand the hard work needed to make this happen and I’m up for it.
So Flip, what’s “the great plan”
The short term plan is move to a cheaper area in the Philippines by March for a month and continue what I’m doing and build my new websites.
And if the online earnings continue, fly out by April. I already have a couple of confirmed tickets and a couple more roundtrip tickets courtesy of my remaining miles.
Earlier, I listed all the things that I could sell. Yup, I’m selling all my stuff, except for a few shirts and a pair of jeans and of course my beloved backpack.
Am I excited? F*ck yeah!!! Am I scared? Yup I am also scared but it doesn’t matter and I won’t let my fear block me from living my life.
I’ve done this before and I’m gonna do it in a more sustainable way this time around.
The Challenge
Aside from worrying about my own expense, I’m also helping my parents send my younger brother to school. I’m making sure that it is included in my financial planning.
For some weird reason, I believe that the universe will provide along the way. I don’t know how it happen but it happens. I already told you that I backpacked last 2009 and I left the Philippines with only $600 and survive 6 months in 8 countries. And along the way, I’m still sending my share to the family’s expense on a monthly basis.
The challenge is to make this more sustainable and predictable. This is to ensure that I remain financially afloat.
Conclusion
This is not a “Career Break” thingy. This is my lifestyle and aspiration from now on.
That’s why today I’ve decided to make a big change in my life.
Instead of aiming for a career that will give me 15 days of vacation or 30 days of vacation. I’m gonna build a career out of living my passion.
I know I might fail but I’d rather die trying.
I want to live the life that I want. And living is not just about “breathing”. Living and just following what other people tells me to do consciously and subconsciously makes me feel like a “walking zombie.” In short, “breathing”and “dragging”myself to do what I don’t want is as good as being dead.
I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. All my friends are dragging themselves to work. All of the people I met are always complaining about what they do but are not doing anything to change it. Do you also feel the same way? Among the people that you know, how many are just “breathing” versus the people who are actually living their lives?
I know it’s hard to find an alternative way. F*ck it’s hard. But we got to take that first step or else we wouldn’t be able to free ourselves from the shackles of our fears.
Maybe travel isn’t your dream, maybe it’s something else. But I think the fundamentals are basically the same. So, I’ll be documenting here (starting March) every step of the way so you could also have an idea if you’re planning of doing the same thing.
How about you? What would you do to pursue the things that you know will make you happy? What would you do to actually start “living”?
I also felt the same way back then, but now I’m happy.
i am with you, man! as i say, i think lahat tayo darating diyan. we all have the same vision for our future! We keep in touch, buddy!
Just wow. I too want to relocate (here in the Phils only) but doesn’t have the courage to let go of the source of income that puts food on the table and gets me to places.
I envy you.
BPS, you can take baby steps in building your sources of passive income… find alternative ways of earning your living… I’m also in the process of learning that
Thanks for speaking your mind about this Flip. You are definitely alone. Let’s all try to break out of conformity. The possibilities are limitless.
Go Flip! Kaya mo yan!
@Lois and Nina; thanks for the wors of encouragement. i agree… the possibilities are limitless….
And I know how it feels to help out the family while saving up for the escape fund. It’s not the easiest thing to do. But glad you’re sticking it out Flip. Chichi and I hope to meet you someday..
good luck Flip! it’s not easy but surely it’s worth the risk. kainggit ka. =)
That is one of my struggles as of the moment. I know that i can go through with the digital entrepreneur thingy and so far, my earnings are well. The problem enters when your relatives are bugging you to get a job for stability. I know my wants, but i also have my needs that will also affect my family. I admire you because you still sent some money to your family even if you’re backpacking outside the country. As long as you know what makes you happy, fulfilled and you know that you can earn from your websites, then go
Life life to the fullest kaya mo yan 
I’m with you, Flip. I keep moving towards the life I want to live. It’s hard, but each day I get closer and happier with where I am. I think you should keep going towards your passion too. It’s not always easy, but the payoff when you get there will be huge. Good luck.
@lois, chyng, mica and steve: thanks for the good wishes… see you all on the road
It’s funny how during the lowest times in my life,I always visit your site, and each time I do, I get inspired.
I used to have a plan, now I dnt know what to do.
You’re not alone Flip, our only difference is, you have resources and funds now while I don’t, I may get it in a couple of months if I stick around but I dnt know if I can still endure. I dnt know how to begin, I’ll be starting frm scratch and I’m scared.
But thnx for sharing this post, somehow, nabuhayan ako ng dugo.
I’m proud of you. Go for your dreams dear friend!
@gael: everything will be fine gael.. wait for a couple of months… mabilis na lang yun…
can totally relate and this is a very relevant topic Flip! It’s definitely scary! I can live by myself but when you also have your family to provide since no one else can, you have to choose wisely. It’s an ongoing dilemma that I’m also facing. I can survive by myself as well, but when your family’s bills are rolling, it’s hard to just think happy. People even think that we are enjoying ourselves while traveling when there’s no food on the table which is actually a misconception too!
I’m on that path right now but I think I’ll find a job that will allow me to travel at the same time. Hopefully everything will work out this year.
Cheers to us Flip!
goodluck to us Ed… i think there’s a perfect compromise waiting to be discovered… im not sure if it’s online work or not but im gonna try
“Instead of aiming for a career that will give me 15 days of vacation or 30 days of vacation. I’m gonna build a career out of living my passion.”
I don’t want to be a breathing zombie-like version of myself anymore. I want to squeeze every drop out of life. I want to suck the marrow from it. That’s why we’re also going on a path of our own towards building a career out of passion, just like you Flip. See you on the road, I’m sure our paths will cross.
let me know on how i can help… when are you transitioning to wordpress?