I got one corporate computer shut off in less than a minute to become “semi retired.” I plugged in another to an audio digital interface to spend time doing things I absolutely love to do.
I have successfully cut my monthly income allowance to $4,000 a month! Not missing the other $7,000. I just don't spend frivolous money on the pleasures I afforded myself as a personal perk of the job I had. I have everything I need. Yes. That extra money paid for all the extra things I need; like a turbo desktop, recording software and all the equipment that I need to record music and podcasts. Thankfully, I earned enough to have this stuff. I can now spend my day writing, composing, recording, and a little bit of gardening.
It doesn't feel any different putting myself on a $48,000 salary than when I made three times that much money. Anyone who values stuff and status over what is right in front of them is much less happy than they let on. Unless they're born into generational wealth, they are probably feeling the stress of the kinds of jobs that deliver big salaries. I used to remind young team members that the big money comes with big responsibilities and as much work as it takes to justify the big bucks. You're going to work for every penny of it.
I know, in my heart, that happiness is what we make of it. If you're the kind of person who values good friends, good family, laughter, joy in your immediate surroundings, the offer of free art, a street musician, a sitcom, or a dip in the lake, then you probably define wealth as something besides money.
Don't get me wrong. Money is important, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor in our definition of happiness. I'm sure the time will come that I will have to give myself a raise, but right now, I'm more than good.
I've recorded some quick podcasts that are under ten minutes. I call them short pods, and I hid them behind a subscription paywall. I've created some new Peace from the Porch swag that folks can buy if they like. I have music available for free on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube, and I'll have a new edition of the longform podcast, Porch Talk, available on Spotify in a week or so. This all takes a lot of work, but it is work I love to do!
As we age and find ourselves shifting our living strategy, finding “work” that we love to do is key to happiness. If nothing else, what we produce reminds us that we are incredible and smart and creative and valuable whether we sell something or not.
Do happiness. It won't feel like poverty.