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Feature: The Freedom Experiment- Entry #1
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By b
We’re getting close to the eve of departure. I am past the point of no return. In that part of ‘over the edge’ where your feet are still on the edge but your momentum has already committed to going over and you couldn’t right your balance if you tried. I have done all the thinking I could do in order to convince myself that this move is not as out of balance as it appears. And while confident, I am refreshingly aware that going forward with this plan is quite insane. I am a 33 year-old college-educated, gainfully-employed man living on my own in Brooklyn, NY. And I have decided to move out of my large 1-bedroom apartment and into a van.
On the outside, my life is very standard. I am well respected by my colleagues and peers. My apartment is like an IKEA showroom, except the 40 inch flat screen TV in the entertainment center is not made out of cardboard. Walking into my local favorite sushi and thai spots is as familiar as visiting a friend’s place. Life is good and comfortable. And over the last four years I’ve invested in making it just that. Maybe a bit too much, though, as I do not have much savings left in the bank. Where has all my money gone? Rent, food, social life, and bills. What do I have to show for it? Memories of a comfortable life in a nice apartment, a virtual trip around the world in cuisine (and warm receptions at local eateries), some great vacations, a well exercised social muscle – parties, performances, and special events, fashionable clothes and shoes and great impressions on dates, and a nod to the bartenders for the countless tabs and tips that went their way. It was all good. The only part missing was a commitment to saving. It’s almost as if I were living like the world was going to end…
Anyway, alot changed for me over the last year. I have a new take on life – new understanding of meaning and purpose. I experienced a sort of epiphany that had tremendous impact over my direction going forward. It’s something that I’ve been searching for a long time. And, after almost getting lost in the ‘Groundhog day’ life, has brought me to that exciting place where tomorrow is so much different than yesterday.
What does this all have to do with going to live in a van? Well just a quick background to say that I’m taking back my future. I’m ready to go off the beaten path, do things that don’t necessarily impress, and create new circumstances that will give me some new things to show for after the next four years. The decision has been made – notified the landlord, put a deposit on the vehicle, and confirmed the movers. I am now making all the necessary arrangements to make this happen while maintaining status quo at the job. See, this type of living situation is frowned-upon, socially. No one at my job could ever find out and even most of my friends will never know. It’s not something that I am making known publicly but there’s so much thought going into it that I need to share it with someone, so that’s what this is about. You are my anonymous ear. I am embarking on an experience for which there is not much precedent (at least not on the surface), so I will document my trials along the way and talk through it with you.
Activities over the next two weeks include canceling my cable/internet, getting a mobile hotspot device, finish packing up my apt, and change my address. All of my financing/ loan/ credit stuff is ready and has to come together for the big purchase and pick-up day. Have to line up inspection and insurance so I can get the vehicle registered with dmv. And just need to reserve a spot in a parking lot at least for the initial couple weeks when I’ll be moving all my furniture to storage and officially vacating my apartment.
I look forward to giving you the updates and some more insight in the big plan. I hope this all works out ok.
Be well,
b
2013-02-17 12:07:38
Source: http://truthisscary.com/2013/02/feature-the-freedom-experiment-entry-1/
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