The results of the survey on lifestyle design by Free Pursuits and Location Independent are in – and I’ve found them fascinating. Here are ten reasons that writers and others were inspired to make the move.
1. Spending time with family and travelling
2. Boredom and the need for diversity
3. Unhappinhess with employment
4. Reading about someone who live the lifestyle
5. Annoyance with commuting
6. Dissatisfaction with the lifestyle in their home country
7. A desire to live like a movie star
8. The Location Independent blog
9. Lack of vacation time
10. A desire to be free
If you’re thinking about cutting those ties, or if you’ve already done it, what’s your motivation?
Get Paid To Write Online will be hosting the next Location Independent blog carnival in July. See the first one here.
Hi Sharon,
I don’t remember the last time a looked at a list like this and had all ten apply.
I used to want to be rich and famous, know I just want to be away…
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog ..Father’s Day In Spain
Hi Sharon,
All of the above, and more? I’ve always been nomadic, always wanted a portable job I could do from anywhere. I can’t commit to heavy-duty things like houses and mortgages, and prefer instead to be of “no fixed address”. Which means I want a profession I can either do between chores on a Midwest farm, or in my underwear in the living room. Freelance writing is that life for me.
Wendy
Our primary reason for our open ended world tour as family that we began in 2006, was to educate our child, but having more time together and being more free were also motivators.
It is the best decision we ever made & I highly recommend it! I’m so glad that this lifestyle is getting more press of late. My passion is to let people know that it is easier and cheaper than most think…even for families!
When the mere thought of going into the office made me frown, and when I arrived home each night with a tension headache and aching muscles, I knew it was time to escape.
I’m only in the first phase of designing my perfect life–moving from the office to telecommuting from around the world–but even that step has had amazing results. No more headaches. No dreading work. I love it!
And Wendy and Sharon, the working in PJs is wonderful, too! Sometimes, when I’m running a conference call in sweats and a ponytail, I can’t help but grin at the situation.
Liz @ Extreme Telecommute´s last blog ..Extended Travel is Good for Your Wallet
So many of us feel that way, Liz. I have never been happier than since making the decision to leave office life behind.
Sharon, great points. I think my decision to go global was a mix of all of these. And, a realization that once I had the ‘American Dream’ the stress that went along with it all (keeping up the house, the car, the payments, the image) was not worth it. It took me awhile to identify the “something’s wrong here” feeling that I had and to break out of the mentality that I had to wait until I had enough savings to live the life I actually wanted.
I have been working remotely now for almost seven months and the freedom is amazing… I would encourage all your readers to Take The Leap of Faith, and follow your promptings. There is never going to be a perfect time to cut the cord and go location-independent…. But in the risk is the reward :0)
It’s not the easiest path, but freedom never came without sacrifice!!
Cheers,
Brooke
Brooke Ferguson´s last blog ..Lifestyle Design: Walking Your Path
I was reading a post today, Brooke, where someone suggested working from the coffee shop a few days a week to get started with location independence. Taking the first step may be the hardest, but it’s amazing how close you can get even if everything isn’t perfect.
For me it is the freedom to work to my own schedule, set my own hours.
My external environment matters far less then having the flexibility to do more on a good day and less on a bad day. Because of my Bipolar I needed a way to earn an income without structured hours common in most jobs. I’ve learned that I simply cannot hold a job that requires me to turn up at 9am every weekday.
A location independent lifestyle means on bad days I DON’T get out of bed. On good days I might get started at 6am and work till 10pm. Instead, of working 8 hours, 5 days week. I have seven days a week working anything from 0 to 20 hours.
Being able to do it from anywhere in the world is just a bonus.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith´s last blog ..WRA Talks With MaAnna Stephenson
Having that flexibility is wonderful, Becca (and I love the bonus too).
I have lived in Suburbia for 50 years and I HAVE TO ESCAPE.
My job was like a 26 year prision sentance.
On top of that my anxiety disorder does __NOT ___ respond well to this deathstyle we live in in our society.
The two best weeks of my life was a spontanious 8,000 mile van trip in 1978.
I need freedom before I kick the bucket.
Just before my father death in 2003 he confided to me that he was always responsible and hardworking but now he realized that he had never enjoyed life and had enough fun.
There are lots of good resources if you’re planning a life change, Ivan, such as the Location Independent group of sites and Thrilling Heroics, but you can also follow the hashtage #LIP on Twitter.
Any particular destination in mind, George?
Wendy, working in PJs is the perfect dress code for me, so I can relate.
You are a great ambassador for the lifestyle. I’m more of an occasional nomad, but I love being able to pick up my laptop and take a trip whenever I want.