I am having an existential crisis. What’s it all about Alfie? I know a first world problem. Boo Fucking Hoo, right. Sometimes I think I’m just whining but we all need a purpose. What is my true purpose?
After 55 years of life I’m not sure that I can answer that question but I’m trying my best. I believe that in order for there to be purpose there has to be a problem to solve, adventures to go on, a quest greater than myself, to improve the world if only in a small way.
The kids are grown, they don’t really need me. Every mother in the world is saying “They always need their parents” but come on that’s bullshit. They are intent on building their own lives. They don’t need me much anymore, they are in control of their lives, not me. I’m just not that important anymore.
Career? I’ve done well, made good money in my life. It didn’t bring me an ounce of happiness.
I wonder, have I made a difference? Other than my daughters has my life had any meaning at all. The world seems a mess. What have I done to improve it even marginally. To be honest, nothing.
What is really important? Why get up in the morning? If I can’t successfully answer these questions then I’m fucked. I need something to strive for, some reason to get up in the morning.
Time to stop being a Pussy and figure it out. Find some struggles greater than myself and work on them. Life isn’t about avoiding problems but finding those struggles that are meaningful.
After careful consideration I want to or think I want to spend the rest of my life focusing on four primary areas.
1. Reduce my carbon foot print.
Strive to eliminate the waste I produce. To be part of the change this planet so desperately needs.
The world needs help. That is a solid fact. I don’t necessarily believe in a higher power but I do believe in humanity. We are capable of facing and overcoming any obstacle put in front of us.
The greatest threat to mankind is climate change. We got ourselves into this mess and we need to get ourselves out of it. Governments need to be heavily involved in the solution but each of us needs to do our part in our own small way.
We all need to be fighting for our very existence. Climate change may not be an existential threat to me but it will be to my children and any grandchildren I may have.
We cannot be apathetic and accept our fate. We cannot be like the snowflake in a blizzard that pleads “Not Guilty”. We are all guilty to various extents.
In the 1940’s the Manhattan Project brought about an Atomic Bomb to win a war. Our country focused it’s resources on winning a war and it was won. John F. Kennedy had the vision of sending people to the moon and returning them safely to earth. This goal was accomplished in less than a decade. Human beings are capable of almost anything.
It takes a planet working together to address the issue of climate change. I truly believe that the United States can and needs to lead on this issue.
Having said that we as individuals need to set an example for our leaders. By living as green as possible to demonstrate to our political leaders that this is a fight we must take on and win.
How can I help? By reducing my consumption of natural resources. I can recycle more certainly but reducing my consumption will have the biggest favorable impact on the environment as well as favorably impacting my financial bottom line. Buy less and spend less.
I want to take measurable iterative steps to reduce my carbon footprint and set an example for my daughters.
2. Through simple living afford to leave the rat race and live a more purposeful, considered life, and travel the world.
I want to spend my time learning about the people and places of this amazing planet we live on.
I want to have the flexibility to go on an adventure with my family or friends on the spur of the moment.
I am a 55 year old man and for most of my adult life I have wanted to pack a duffel bag and travel the world. Live in a country for a few months and then move on to the next adventure. Japan, Paris, Thailand, Key West, China, wherever I feel like going.
It is difficult to do when we have work and family to take into consideration. We can’t just walk out the door on a whim and have an adventure. Or can we?
I have traveled quite a bit with my family but my daughters have reached adulthood and I want to travel with them even more. I want to share more of those special moments that will last a lifetime and help them continue to grow into strong and confident women. Before I know it they will be living their own lives and I will have missed my opportunity.
Travel has already helped them to understand better the world and themselves.
The goal is not to travel rapidly through a destination and tick off the boxes of sights to see and upload photos to Instagram. I want to travel to fewer locales and stay longer. Relax and thoroughly enjoy the experience.
What stops us from charting our own course and heading out on adventure?
Simplicity is the key.
Recently I have been taking stock of my life. I’ve done well, I’ve been lucky and worked hard and have enjoyed the trappings of success. The more I ponder it though the more these trappings feel like a trap. A trap I built myself without being consciously aware.
The nice big house, the new car, the swimming pool are all part of the American Dream but I have paid a heavy price to own these things. Houses require maintenance, electricity, heat. Lawns need to be mowed, roofs repaired, plumbing fixed. One way or another we trade our time and energy on tasks that don’t bring us any true happiness.
It is more important to me to have extra time to focus on my health and on my children than worrying about maintaining my possessions. Enjoying the simple pleasures in life: Family, Friends, Good Food, and Experiences.
I know I can make the adjustments in my life to make this dream a reality. I believe many of us older adults can do the same. It just takes planning and the willingness to modify how we live so we can live life the way we truly want to.
I intend to eliminate the unnecessary from my life as much as possible. To take stock of how I use my time and thoughtfully determine whether my time and money spent serves, me, my family and society as a whole in a useful way.
I am committing that on September 1, 2020 I will leave on at least a 6 month adventure to explore parts of the world carrying only a medium size duffel bag. 14 Months to get myself in great shape, save money and prepare for my trip.
3. Take my health both physical and mental to the next level.
I’m in my mid fifties and I don’t accept that it’s all downhill from here. I want to invest in my mental and physical health to be the best I can be.
I need to eat foods that build my vitality instead of sapping my strength. Eating well takes preparation. Often it is far easier to eat something on the go that does not serve my greater good. Prepackaged foods that add to our landfills while subtracting from my health.
I will develop a personal exercise program that I can stick to and will take my health to the next level
4. Enjoy time with my family and friends.
My goal is to eliminate the unnecessary in my life so I can focus on Family, Health and travel.
Too much of my life has been focused on work and making money. I have neglected relationships and this has to change.
If I can be successful in these 4 areas of life than I will be more successful than I could possibly imagine.
This blog is my journey of discovery in striving to achieve in the four areas.