I’ve mentioned the last year of my life on HN where my wife and I decided to get rid of everything we own that wouldn’t fit in four suitcases including our cars and we became “hybrid digital nomads”. We fly to different cities across the US and stay in midrange extended stay hotels and stay in our own “Condotel”[1] the other six months in Florida. What I haven’t talked about is what got us to this point. I grew up in…
In praise of blowing up your life
181–190 of 352 posts
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
Although the US is a wealthy country, I believe for most people "following your dream" there could be much harder than in Europe. Especially in terms of an unexpected healthcare problem at the wrong time. Of course some people are wealthy enough for this not to be a problem, and it is easier to get investors there. Still, I would not characterize it as risk-free in the US.
In a couple of small, wealthiest countries in Europe (Scandinavian countries, Switzerland), sure. But everywhere else, if you go for the dream and fail, you'll be barely making a living. Whereas in the US, you can fail and likely still land a $40k-50k job doing whatever. In Europe, managers in serious firms often don't make $50k. Also, serious health problems before 40 are really rare.
It seems to me you are taking only maximum absolute dollar into account. 50k€ or less in Europe is more like $100k in my experience.
Assumptions:
- Comparing salaries in absolute dollar amount, without considering other costs from taxes, social security and cost of living.
- Education cost.
- Not falling sick, rare or not. Or needing an ambulance.
TLDR. The worst case in Europe is better than in the US. The best case in the US is better than in Europe.
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#183I’ve mentioned the last year of my life on HN where my wife and I decided to get rid of everything we own that wouldn’t fit in four suitcases including our cars and we became “hybrid digital nomads”. We fly to different cities across the US and stay in midrange extended stay hotels and stay in our own “Condotel”[1] the other six months in Florida. What I haven’t talked about is what got us to this point. I grew up in…
Are you documenting/journaling your interactions and experiences in the various cities that you visit with a view to drawing any conclusions? Or just enjoying the ride?
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#184Earlier quoted context omitted.
> It’s not ideal, and ideally people would have recognized talent at home and/or just included me because I was a living person, but they didn’t seem to have this ethics. What an egotistical thing to say. You're not entitled to have people waste time trying to "be friends with you" just because you're financially successful > I’m workaholic because I don’t have enough friends. You don't make friends and are workaholi…
What awful things to say.
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
I see where you're coming from, but that doesn't match my experience. Plenty of non white people immigrate to different countries to try their luck at a better life. Maybe the difference is what standard you compare yourself to? - Black dude from the US: I can't move to Thailand, what would happen if I fail - Black dude from Rwanda: I might as well move to Thailand, maybe I'll have better luck over there
> maybe I'll have better luck over there It's more privilege in the sense of having the luxury to take risks as opposed to the desperation of seeking a better life. The second guys life is already kind of "blown up", while the author is more like entitled boredom.
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#186I’ve mentioned the last year of my life on HN where my wife and I decided to get rid of everything we own that wouldn’t fit in four suitcases including our cars and we became “hybrid digital nomads”. We fly to different cities across the US and stay in midrange extended stay hotels and stay in our own “Condotel”[1] the other six months in Florida. What I haven’t talked about is what got us to this point. I grew up in…
You're paying half your rent to property managers?! Stop this insanity. There is no such thing as a rental pool, unless it's literally a pool that is rented. What service are you using?
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#187Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#188Earlier quoted context omitted.
Interesting topic. When you are socially underdeveloped, the strange sheep, the sightly bullied, the not-taken seriously, well it’s not so bad to go twice around the globe a few years and come back. There’s debate. I’ve lost a lot of social fabric. I’m workaholic because I don’t have enough friends. But I’m millionaire, own my startup, own my house, and I can get advice on how to manage at work, get a psychologist, e…
> It’s not ideal, and ideally people would have recognized talent at home and/or just included me because I was a living person, but they didn’t seem to have this ethics. What an egotistical thing to say. You're not entitled to have people waste time trying to "be friends with you" just because you're financially successful > I’m workaholic because I don’t have enough friends. You don't make friends and are workaholi…
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
While it might be hard to grow roots, it is not impossible. IMO, you should start doing serious work on growing roots when you are in your late 20s. Growing roots include: - Getting married - Having kids - Settling down to live in one place - Finding out how you can participate in the local community, and the actively participate You will find that people are remarkably open to people who willingly contribute to othe…
I "blew my life up" twice. Both times I was looking to start over and settle, i.e. grow roots, but in a different place. It failed both times. People are incredibly difficult to accept outsiders within their circle. I did get married, but wife wants no kids :( ... which makes the marriage a little... fragile. Without close family/friends holding me here (I am and feel like a complete stranger here, 10 years on, and m…
Re: In praise of blowing up your life
#190I don't entirely disagree, but the first thing that this article brought to mind is the old cliche "wherever you go, there you are". I'm 34, lots of ex girlfriends and lots of past cities. There's a fine line between breaking out of the status quo hamster wheel and running away from your baggage. Moving cities, or relationships, or jobs isn't worth as much if you aren't simultaneously working on yourself
It's as old as humanity > Do you suppose that you alone have had this experience? Are you surprised, as if it were a novelty, that after such long travel and so many changes of scene you have not been able to shake off the gloom and heaviness of your mind? You need a change of soul rather than a change of climate. Seneca, 2000 years ago More people should read the classics, lots of wisdom you can speed run instead of…