Into the Marshlands; Yearning for Financial Freedom

As I made a trip into the marshlands and realized that super strong yearning for financial freedom. Have you every woken up one morning and decided to go into the marshlands? One of the new hobbies I took up during the 2020 pandemic back when everything was locked down for months was hiking. I guess being (mostly) by myself in the wilderness, on and off the hiking trails, is the ultimate social distancing. Honestly, I really came to enjoy it and continue to hike whenever I can. In many ways, hiking in the great outdoors has become like a form of mediation for me. It is nice to just get away from everything sometimes, experience nature, and just let my mind ponder.

I have never actually hiked in marshland before, so I thought it would be interesting. I found it quite nice. It also had me thinking about financial freedom and what it would be like. I have been wanting to do this for weeks, especially since weather has been fairly nice. There was just one problem. My job. I had to work it around my job or at least take a random day off. And you know what I come to realize. That really sucks.

With financial impendence and freedom, I wouldn’t be concerned with scheduling things I like or want to do around a day job. If I wanted to go to the beach on a sunny Tuesday, I would go. If I wanted to fishing on a Thursday morning, I would go. Heck, if I wanted head out for a few weeks exploring the country, I would do it. How about salsa dancing until 3 am in the morning? Darn, I got work the next day.

Right now, I am still chained to a job as that is my main source of income. I am not free. In many ways, I am enslaved. Granted, my job is alright (tolerable) and the people I work with and for have been good to me. In addition, as early as the end of this month, I may get a raise (and a promotion). However, my true happiness will come from freedom. I want the ability to live life financially independent and not be dependent on an employer for even the most basic of provisions (food, clothing, and shelter).

I want to live my life as I see fit. Go where I want, when I want, and do what I want. Basically, I want to live life on my own terms.

Towards that end, I have spent the last 4 years living a more minimalistic life and saving over 50% of my working income to use for investments. For the past 7 years, using the model of dividend growth investing, I build a 6-figure portfolio that is getting close to generating $12,000 in yearly dividend income. I am getting there. Achieving set goals and passing milestone after milestone, I am on the path to financial freedom!

But it is still a source of annoyance when I am stuck at work while it is a beautiful sunny day outside. I’d rather be at the beach. I am sure nearly everyone feels that same way (although very few actually take the financial steps necessary to be financially free). Nonetheless I have noticed I am feeling it more this year, then probably any other year. Maybe it is because we came out of a year of being locked down. But I really want to be free and yet, I know I must be patient and enjoy the journey.

In any event, I did end up taking a random day off from work and decided to hike in the marshland. I found it very scenic and relaxing. Definitely would do it again. Here are some nice pictures I took.

Thus concludes my trip into the marshlands while yearning for financial freedom. So, how about the rest of you? Do you like hiking? Ever feel that yearn for to finally cross the finish line of financial freedom? If so, do you feel it stronger this year then any other year? Let me know in the comments below!

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