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Today I read this:
“You can simply walk away from the modern systems of slavery.
Why don’t you?” – Max Hillebrand
Of course Max wrote it on Nostr. But that’s another story. I read through the comments and some people were saying things like: “Yes, but I have a mortgage and we are used to certain comfort.”
If you believe this, read very carefully, this is going to change things for you.
First, look for people who have done it and had been in a similar situation as you. Most people are not really in a unique situation. A family and mortgage and wish for a nice and comfortable life is the most normie thing there is, and I mean it in a good way. We all strive for life of comfort, connection and love.
But know this: Thousands of people just like you have done it. They have families, they either have or used to have mortgages, and fiat jobs.
Communities such as Nostr, or Bitcoin communities are full of people just like you, that have done it. Just ask!
Don’t just assume that it can’t be done.
People’s perception of those who live freely differs from the reality, often significantly. We do this to make our lives easier, not harder. We live fully, not in concealment. Living freely isn’t about hiding away in a cave, avoiding government agents. It’s about piercing through the mental fog of monotonous routines, poor diet, and unfulfilling bullshit fiat jobs. True freedom is about achieving clarity, waking up to reality, and expressing ourselves fully through our actions.
A somewhat stupid example, but this is a good illustration. Amin Rafiee (❤️) had a talk at one event. And he said something like “you know you have the tracking device in your pocket. I know it’s convenient, but I want to let you know that you don’t have to do it. You can just use another device”. He paused, and repeated: “You don’t have to do it.”
I had an iPhone back then. I decided to give GrapheneOS a try. I was reluctant. We had shared family photos, it was convenient, I had apps that I bought. Also, I had a previous horrible experience with Android half a decade back. But I had it in my mind for weeks – “you don’t have to do it”. No, I was not special. People that use something else are not hermits living in a cave. I decided to give it a try. I got a Pixel Fold, because I thought if I get something that I can’t do with an iPhone – basically a tablet that fits in my pocket, I will be more inclined to keep using it. I installed GrapheneOS on it and never took the iPhone with me again. It stayed on a charger for a few months. And my quality of life improved, Foldable phone is the way to go. I gained much more than I have lost. It was not “easy”, but it’s just a phone. I installed some apps that were the same, some that were different.
Life is not an iPhone vs GrapheneOS. But the hint still applies. You don’t have to do it. If you are not helping anyone in the fiat mine (a.k.a. job), if you can help people much more by doing your thing, your unique ability, get the hell out of there. Outside there is full spectrum light from the sun. Joy of doing your thing will be an upgrade.
Aim big – your goal is not to somehow get out of the systems of slavery and live in fear. Your job is to make your life better – way better.
The act of switching takes time. You have to install new apps for your life. But on the other end of this is life that is much better.
I like to go to chill by the river with my family. My favourite time is Monday 11am. We take chairs and the table out of the car, make coffee, cook something nice. Sometimes I do some work. And then we almost always remember old times with my wife. Not with nostalgia, but with appreciation about where we are now. Wow, we used to stress in a morning traffic jam, sit in an office. Like 90% of the people in productive age in this city. We are very thankful for our lives and gratefulness gives a very positive spin on these thoughts, gratefulness is magic that erases any kind of negativity. “We don’t have to do it anymore” is what I think about it.
The truth is, I never had to do it in the first place. It was a choice, maybe a bad one. And mind you, I was never full-time employed in a traditional sense, I had entrepreneurial spirit since young age. But still, I had created my own fiat mine.
I can give you my story, but that will probably not help you much. Find someone who had a starting position similar to yours. Ask them what they did. Then find someone else and ask them. It’s like with Bitcoin wallets – it’s one Bitcoin, and even if you have similar goals than other people who use Bitcoin, you will probably choose a different wallet. In freedom lies diversity. Everyone can discover their path.
Just know this – there is indeed a path. At the other side is a better life, with clarity, purpose and life fulfillment. Indeed, with warm bed, garden, hug from your husband or wife, if that’s what you desire. Just like thousands of other people who have done it. We have freedom tech, we have freedom philosophy, now is the best time to do it.
I don’t know how your path looks, no one does. But it will probably start with a first step. That is, realizing you don’t have to do it anymore.
I call this idea Orange Summer, and I have explained it in my Option Plus podcast, episode You are a Bitcoiner now, what’s next?