Walk away from it all

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Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Louis

Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 28, 2006 - 03:26pm PT

I'd love to hear from those of you who walked away from it all - education, career, house, etc. Happy with that choice? Advantages and Disadvantages?

I dream of it constantly now...sell the house, pay of little debt, sell everything, live super modestly, work paycheck to paycheck (haha, I do that now too!).

What say you?

Jaybro

Social climber

The West

Dec 28, 2006 - 03:31pm PT

Much of it depends on how important the work you are doing now is, to you.

goatboy smellz

climber

boulder county

Dec 28, 2006 - 03:45pm PT

Ahhh grasshopper...

You have ordered a very big pizza where there are no disadvantages.

Walk away yet tip well.

Matt

Trad climber

places you shouldn't talk about in polite company

Dec 28, 2006 - 03:45pm PT

slip out the back jack
make a new plan stan
hop on the bus gus
no need to discuss muss!
just drop off the key lee
and set yourself free

(might not be in perfect order- appologies)

elcapfool

Big Wall climber

hiding in plain sight

Dec 28, 2006 - 03:47pm PT

It brought me one step closer to God, but five steps farther away from owning my own dirtbike track.

Busy people always say they wish they had more time. Once they get it, they are usually bored shltless.

Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Dec 28, 2006 - 03:52pm PT

^^^^ i always try to remind myself of that whole damn 'grass is greener on the other side' thing.

snakefoot

climber

cali

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:00pm PT

walked away from it all at 18 only to return at 25 and have not regretted either decision. living in the dirt with no cash got old fast for me, sure others have no issue with this. I like toys though.

spud

climber

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:04pm PT

Walking away from it all is my plan in 5 years. I can't wait to have the garage sale and get rid of everything! All except my knitting needles!

Lambone

Ice climber

Ashland, Or

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:14pm PT

I quit my desk job to open a climbing gym. Best choice I have ever made, I am a much healthier and happier person now all around.

Of course now I am married to the gym, which is still technically a non-profit...which is a bit scary.

mpandy

Trad climber

Jackson Hole, WY

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:15pm PT

If I climbed everyday and that's all I did, I would get bored and resentful of it (I suspect).

Part of the joy of climbing is the contrast with other parts of one's life, even work.

And what happens if/when you can't climb anymore and you've thrown away everything else for it?

As the old song said... get the balance right.

happiegrrrl

Trad climber

New York, NY

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:16pm PT

Callie - I walkeed away from my 'career' as a designer, simply in order to make artwork.

It was worth it.

However...... hahahaha.

I went through 3 years of being one step from losing my home , which I hung on to only because my friends, watching in horror, were gasping "you can't lose your home....!", before I regained a footstep into some sort of financial stability.

Well, it was worth it.

But, I am glad they did that, but who knows - things probably would have been okay if I had.....

One thing that I have always found helpful, when scared, unsure, confused or whatever, is to write. Stream of consciousness, let it flow. In the beginning, words may not come, but eventualy....they will. Oh yes, they will. And when that happens, listen to what you write, because it will be the truth, for you.

climber

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:28pm PT

The older you get, the harder it will be to escape. Go while you can, if you can.

G_Gnome

Boulder climber

Sick Midget Land

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:37pm PT

You might want to just evaluate your priorities before chucking it all. How many days do you currently climb a week, indoors/outdoors? How far away are the crags and how many choices in climbing locations/types of rock do you currently have? Is there somewhere else you could live that would improve either of those first things enough to want to keep working. There are many of us that climb 4 days a week and almost every weekend. For me, weekend rock is anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours away, but that gets me into many, many kinds of climbing in some amazing places, including Yos. At the same time I have world class bouldering 10 minutes away and go there every Tuesday and Thursday when there is available light. The rest of the time my weekdays are spent in the gym. Can you accomplish this where you live and would it be enough? If not, would moving somewhere you can be enough? If the answer to both of those last two is NO, then quit now and go live out of your truck.

maldaly

Trad climber

Boulder, CO

Dec 28, 2006 - 04:49pm PT

Crimp', I've got another friend who is being "forced" to walk away from a good, high paying career. You two have a lot of similarities--climbing, fun-loving warm people. I'd be psyched to put the two of you in touch.
Mal

WBraun

climber

Dec 28, 2006 - 07:22pm PT

mpandy's post above is pretty good.

But if you want to chuck it all, your heart has totally got to be into it. Thinking about it is just that "thinking". It's usually easier when you're younger. I did it right after I graduated from college. But I knew what I wanted to do at that point and went for it. I was willing to wash dishes, mop the floor, clean toilets, construction, anything to make it, and those things I did for a time before better jobs came to me. If it was meant for you it will work out.

Good luck ......

eeh

climber

East Side

Dec 28, 2006 - 07:27pm PT

Well, I am definitely not included in the group that has walked away from it all, but I contemplate taking the leap on a weekly basis. I have a good paying, responsible job and live close to great outdoor fun, BUT I still want to jump in the truck and live like a bum. I miss those days - it's called freedom. I know it's irresponsible and I think I should just take long vacation, but everytime I return from vacation I dislike the job even more and want to get away even more. Sadly, there is really no easy answer...

TradIsGood

Happy and Healthy climber

the Gunks end of the country

Dec 28, 2006 - 07:40pm PT

A famous man I know used to say he liked Sunday, because it meant that he could go back to work the next day.

He excelled at his job. Now somebody else does it for him and he is doing something else that he loves.

crusher

climber

Santa Monica, CA

Dec 28, 2006 - 07:48pm PT

Crimpie,

I wrestle with this all the time. If it were up to my husband we would be living very close to the ground in a van, not worrying about retirement funds or health insurance. For me that doesn't work. I am still working on finding that elusive "balance" where I can feel comfortable about the future and yet maybe not sacrifice my personal life so much anymore because I'm afraid to cut back on the income or the "security".

Edit -
Sorry! I can't answer you from a standpoint of having done it. I'm interested too in the answers from people who have done it or have split time between working and playing.

Have you thought about moving someplace where you could work (maybe part time) and have better weather or proximity to places you want to play? Maybe easing into this change rather than going whole hog is a good way to explore it.