I’m a 29-year-old single American guy in good health and good shape without any debt or kids and everything I own fits in a 20-liter backpack. I don’t care about hoarding loads of money to spend on things I personally view as unnecessary, like fancy cars, big houses full of appliances, flashy TVs, designer clothing, etc. I have an IRA that I contribute to intermittently and some minor investments, so I’m not neglecting my future self or potential emergencies. I also don’t plan on having kids or getting married anytime soon so that’s not a concern for me right now.
Despite appearing to have a relatively stable life, I'm currently wearing 'golden handcuffs' working at an import company in Asia and it’s destroying my spirit. This is one of the many times in my life I’ve decided to hunker down and get a ‘real’ job and take some ‘responsibility’. I'm sick and tired of sitting inside an office all day long doing work that feels meaningless to me. I’m pretty sure I have developed a vitamin D deficiency... Figuratively speaking, I’d honestly rather live in the forest and starve on the edges of nowhere at this point. As a minimalist, I’m perfectly happy and actually prefer living with less and getting by with just the bare necessities. I want to increase my own freedom and tranquility while at the same time contributing to a good cause.
Although I’ve had jobs that many would consider one fortunate to have, I have still never felt fulfilled through my work. I have already taught English in international schools in Asia for four years, so I’m comfortable living on my own in foreign countries (I’ve since become an advocate for unschooling/homeschooling so although I’m a certified teacher this path is now a no go for me. Not long ago I turned down a position at a school offering over $5,000 per month not including benefits like flights and accommodation). After that I experienced living life as a ‘digital nomad’ for quite some time and sustained myself by working online, but I felt too lonely and isolated and I lacked a sense of community. I also don't want to just travel and float around aimlessly and not work (i.e. receiving an inheritance) - nor do I want to do something just for the sake of making money (i.e. playing poker online, stock investing). I would prefer to be outside in nature working with my hands and with other like-minded individuals...I just want to help create and be part of something new.
Although 99% of the traditional workforce doesn't appeal to me, I have always dreamed of organic farming, sustainable living, self-sufficiency, and the like. I’ve been looking at WWOOF, Workaway, and HelpX, which seem like good options for short-term volunteering and getting a foot in the door, and perhaps finding a mentor and forming and apprenticeship, but I’m interested in something more ‘maintainable’ for lack of a better word...so I’ve also been thinking about things like picking fruit in Australia or trimming cannabis in California, which while also being educational, would have the added benefit of allowing me to continue this sort of lifestyle by saving some cash to fund travels elsewhere...and it doesn’t have to be a farm per say - I’d be glad to work at an eco-community, nature reserve, animal sanctuary, etc.
Can you guys please offer me some other suggestions for seasonal work like this that is PAID? I will probably still start out as a volunteer with one of the organizations mentioned, but this isn’t going to be sustainable in the long run because I will need a basic income, but I’d like to commit to this sort of lifestyle for the long haul. I could just use some guidance at this point and I’d really appreciate a helping hand.
Submitted July 12, 2018 at 11:31AM by CyberTygerFire https://ift.tt/2N6jL63
