507 days…
…1 year, 4 months, and 22 days…
It is hard to fathom it has been that long since my last post. It seems like a lifetime ago while just yesterday at the same time. Regardless, it is feels great to be writing again!
So where have I been you may be asking… Since my last blog post in November 2021, a LOT has happened. I am sure I will write much more about it in the future, but here are just a few highlights as I begin to put pen to paper again.
Pressing Pause:
We started – and then ended a business – or at least put it on hold. As you may recall from my It’s Time to Burn the Boats post from March 2021, Mrs. Henry and I decided to start a business in 2020. Since my last update, we made the decision to wind the business down in early 2022. It wasn’t for a lack of success. In fact, it was showing real promise which made the decision even more difficult. Ultimately, we made this decision to support another big change in our life…
Leaning into the Growth Mindset:
We moved cross-country! There were a lot of reasons, but much of it was rooted in our continued desire to embrace a growth mindset in all areas of our life. This decision was not made lightly. We opted for the unknown and chose to lean into our search for more. I can happily say the Henry household is thriving in our new home, and the decision has proven to be one of the best of our lives thus far.
Discovering the Single Player Game:
I also re-joined the rat race. Yes, it is still at a MegaCorp (not the same one). Yes, it ultimately takes away some of my time freedom. However, this time I better understand the maze, the power of misplaced incentives, and the importance of mindset in overall happiness and maintenance of work/life balance. I am no longer an unwitting pawn in a game of chess. I am no longer a passive player in game whereby I feel I have no agency. I have unknowingly stumbled on the hidden game – the single player game – the real game. In this game, I design the board. I design the challenge. I design the rules and the definition of success. With this new mindset, I am playing my game.
Embracing the FI in FIRE:
The “Financial Independence” part of FIRE has always been the part that resonated with me the most. The last 500+ days have further solidified for me that the “Retire Early” part of FIRE is not necessarily my goal. For some, this may be the most appealing part of the pursuit of FIRE. I now know without a doubt that this is not the case for me. I enjoy working, building, creating, and contributing. I have no desire to retire. However, I want to work on my terms doing things I enjoy. And I have realized my enjoyment is largely driven by my mindset. This shift ultimately influenced our decision to move, as well as my decision to take the job that I did. It has also changed my outlook on time, money, and our optimal approach to chasing full financial independence on our terms.
A New Paradigm for Happiness:
“Happiness is being content while also being ambitious.”
In addition to, and in part because of, the experiences/changes above, I have also experienced exponential personal growth since my last post. Sure – growth and change is inevitable. However, I can honestly say that the last couple of years have been transformational for me in so many ways. I am no longer the same person I was when I first posted in May 2020. Yes, I still consider myself an average HENRY in the pursuit of FIRE. However, I no longer view FIRE as a means (Financial Independence) to an end (Retire Early). I believe this change in vantage point is permanent. A new paradigm… I am focused now more than ever on the journey. In doing so, I have embraced a new definition of happiness. One that is difficult if not impossible to fully achieve. But perhaps that is the point…
Regards,
Henry