Freedom Can Be An Emotional Roller Coaster
I won't sugar coat my experience from this past week. The truth is it's been an emotional roller coaster. My mind is going back and forth between, "I'm ready to rock and roll" and "What in the heck did I do?". So which is it, did I do a good thing or a bad thing? All emotions aside, it most likely doesn't matter. Although this period will likely go down as a big turning point in my life either way, I believe the categorization of whether it was good versus bad is irrelevant at best.
Sometimes, Change is Just Inevitable
It was the end of that era either way. Sure, I could have stayed there. If I wouldn't have left, this week would have been another where I had no time, no energy and no emotions going through my body. It would have been productive in that I would have earned my paycheck, but would it have been contributing to my overall sense of purpose in this world? I just can't say that it would have. To top that off, it was coming to the end. I could have stayed a few more months, perhaps even another year, but boy, it would have been tough to do. There were signs everywhere that things were over and my next step was needed.
So bam, just like that, I was out (or so it felt this past week). I caused it to happen, therefore I've been going back and forth in my mind about it. "Did I do the right thing?" and "Can I really do what I planned to do?" have been on constant repeat lately. It's a battlefield in my mind. I've come to the realization that my success or failure probably has more to do with my state of mind than anything else. I know deep down that if I'm in a good state of mind, I can get out there, add value for others and find purpose in the process.
I've been going in a couple directions this past week. First, I took care of some administrative stuff that I've been putting off for a while. Second, I'm working on another website, which I'll disclose at a later time when I'm further down the road and have more of it figured out. Third, I'm working on winning the war in my mind, completely destroying the negative feelings that are threatening to take me down. I'm not going to stand for destroying myself. If I fail because of external factors, fine, but I'm not going to settle for internal defeat.
What Do You Think of Podcasts?
On to another topic: Podcasts. I want to know what you think of them. I'm a serious geek about them. I told my girlfriend the other day that I could listen to podcasts 24 hours a day without getting bored. I don't think that's an overstatement either. I've listed some before, but here are my favorites lately:
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The Lifestyle Business Podcast - Dan and Ian do this one. I love being a part of their conversations. It's like we're all buds, although they don't even know me. Dan and Ian, you rock!
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The Fizzle Show - This is done by Corbett Barr, Chase Reeves and Caleb Wojcik. It's a new show, but a really good one. Corbett is sort of a hero of mine right now. I just think he's a great guy and I really respect the things he's doing and the business he's built. I'm going to see if I can do an interview of him sometime soon.
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The Smart Passive Income Podcast - This is done by the one and only Patt Flynn, who's going to be speaking at this year's Financial Blogger Conference in St. Louis, which of course I'm going to. If I had 100 hours or so to devote to podcasts, I would spend a good chunk of them on this podcast, mostly because I haven't listened to many of them yet. I don't even have to promote this as he's famous enough already. This is one of the best shows out there for people striving to create revenue online.
Others that are now on my radar are these:
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Podcast Answer Man - This is all about how to do great podcasts (which I'm into right now), but he's all around entertaining too and has an inspiring story.
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Foolish Adventure Show - Dan from Lifestyle Business Podcast mentioned this show as one he listens to. Enough said. If Dan listens, I listen.
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Starting from Nothing - I've listened to one episode and will continue. It's about starting something (a business) from nothing. That's right up my alley right now.
I'll find others for you. Just hang tight.
Back to my original thought. Do you listen to podcasts? If so, why? And if not, why not? As a dumbie iPhone user, I finally realized there was an app for podcast subscriptions (Podcasts app), so I'm loving that lately. But even without an iPhone, you can listen to most of them right from their websites. The best part is that you can listen while working, while cleaning, while running or biking and even while driving (if you have the equipment). Compared to when you can read a blog (while in front of a computer, tablet or smart phone), podcasts rock. Oh, and they are much more personal. You can't hear the tone in my voice from my writing. You can't pick up on whether or not I'm excited, bored or upset. On a podcast you can.
I'm considering picking up the equipment to try this. I'd love feedback from you.
Make Sure to Jump on Board!
Last, but not least, I want to invite you to again shoot me an email (kraig@createmyindependence.com) and/or subscribe to future posts by email here. Right now, I'm on an emotional roller coaster, but I'm going to fight through this to come out fully confident to rock on going forward. I plan to try some new things like audio and video and even a new site or two. Feedback from you is extremely welcome.
Until next time, enjoy your summer, get some golfing in, some grilling, some camping, some sun, some swimming and some time for family and friends in before it passes us by!
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25 Comments
- Wade says:July 22, 2013 at 2:04 PM
It isn't a podcast, but I do like to listen to Dave Ramsey (1 to 4cst daily) from his website. Partly because I love to learn new things and partly because listening to people doing things right and doing things wrong helps you stay on track. Stay the course. I have a friend in a small investment group. He is a go getter and drives our projects. I told one of the other investors it is sure awesome when someone's hobby is making themselves and other people money. His hobby is making me money. Now that is good stuff. In search of passive income.
- krantcents says:July 22, 2013 at 3:07 PM
I only occasionally listen to podcasts. My main reason is time! I am online so much reading, there is just isn't much time left.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 22, 2013 at 3:35 PM
KC, I certainly understand lacking time! Been there! Hopefully, you will listen to mine if I create one. Best,
- Chrimatistikos says:July 22, 2013 at 4:23 PM
You talk as if Iphones = the only smarthones. You can also use Android phones. (I don't really get why you have an Iphone since a lot of Android phones are both better and cheaper. Check out the Galaxy Note 2 for example. Ive got that one and Im loving it a lot more than my previous Iphones.) Anyhow, Im a fellow podcast lover! Some of the ones Im listening to are NPR Planet Money, Freakonomics, The disciplined investor, Motley fool and Wake up to money.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 22, 2013 at 4:25 PM
iPhones are definitely not the only smart phones. I just got used to the iPhone and I like it, that's all. And, good stuff. Glad you like podcasts. I'll have to check out those you mentioned.
- Chrimatistikos says:July 22, 2013 at 4:26 PM
Oh, and Im sure everything will work out just fine. It is interesting though hearing about your doubts. Some day a lot of us bloggers will be where you are and... well, there is really no telling what we will feel exactly. Keep up the good work, Kraig!
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 22, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Thanks. That really means a lot. :)
- Emily @ evolvingPF says:July 22, 2013 at 6:24 PM
I love podcasts! I actually considered starting a podcast but went with blogging instead - I'm much more of a writer. However I do not listen to ANY of the same one as you! I tend to listen to podcasts from NPR/APM or from large organizations, so most are pretty professional. My main tip for getting started is to have a podcasting partner. I only listen to, like, one podcast that has a single host. It's tiring to do interviews all the time and you definitely need a conversation in every episode. I also prefer longer-form (25'+) so you can really dive into the subject matter. I also don't like a lot of small talk as its own segment ("What was your week like?") but prefer to get to know the hosts as they discuss the subject.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 22, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Hi Emily, Great feedback. I agree with you in many ways. I too enjoy podcasts with more than one host. It just adds a lot more personality. Have a great week!
- July 22, 2013 at 8:39 PM
I'm a big podcast fan. I have several that I listen to daily and many I listen to once a week or so. I listen on my way to work and when I'm jogging.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 22, 2013 at 8:41 PM
KK, Awesome. Thanks so much for the feedback. Obviously, I too am a big fan. If you don't mind me asking, which ones do you listen to?
- SickOfCubicles says:July 23, 2013 at 11:25 AM
I went through this same roller coaster you describe when I quit my IT job the first time! I quit to start flight school, a lifelong dream of mine, at age 28.. Needless to say the negative thoughts won, and I ended up getting my job back 3 weeks later and trying flight school part time, which also didn't work out with the long hours combined with the full time job. I would have stuck with it if I didn't have debt to worry about, and if the pay and career prospects were better in the aviation industry right now (the starting pay is pathetically low given the level of responsibility and skill required, and not enough to live on in case you didn't know.. Regional pilots starting out make less than 25k a year. This is after years spent as a flight instructor making less than 16k to build the required flight experience. It costs well over 100k to get the requisite college degree and flight training.. the math doesn't add up). So I've decided to hang it up for a year, get out of ALL debt, and then start again at my own pace once I'm there.. There is a projected pilot shortage (gee, I can't imagine why) so the working conditions should eventually improve due to demand, but either way I love flying and traveling and want to try the lifestyle.. What a prime example of DEBT LIMITING YOUR OPTIONS. It caused me to quit before I even got a chance to attempt to FINALLY live my dream. But thank god I realized it before I dug in any deeper. Debt can cause you to RESENT something you've loved for your entire life. From now on, it's 0 debt for me for the rest of my mine.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 23, 2013 at 11:27 AM
SOC, RIGHT ON. I'm with you. What a story. Good luck to you. I really hope it works out this time for you (and me). Keep fighting the fight and you'll get there!
- Done by Forty says:July 23, 2013 at 11:47 AM
I love podcasts. My favorites are NPR ones: This American Life, Planet Money, Freakonomics, Car Talk, etc... I can imagine how up and down emotionally this can feel right now. Remember, one day at a time!
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 23, 2013 at 11:58 AM
DBF, Thanks! It sure is up and down. It is getting more stable as the days go by, though. I'm getting my plan of action together, working diligently on it and feeling much better with each day. I have to remember to enjoy this. I have my time. I need to enjoy. If I'm not going to enjoy it, then I may as well go back where I came from. I'm glad you like podcasts. Thanks for the feedback and for the comment. Have a great week!
- The Stoic says:July 23, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Kraig, I think what your experiencing is completely normal and wouldn't give a whole lot of thought to whether it was "good or bad" as this is generally just a reflection of what your comfort zone was before and now you are pushing the limits of that comfort. Most of the time things are neither good or bad just different. Relax, take a deep breath and when you exhale let the weight of all this uncertainty go with it. You are a young man with no debt and plenty of savings. Enjoy your freedom and this time in your life. I believe you will be just fine. :-) The Stoic
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 23, 2013 at 12:29 PM
TS, Thanks so much for the support and encouragement. I believe you're right that it's just pushing the limits of my comfort zone that I'm feeling right now. You're right, I don't have debt and have plently of savings so, financially, this isn't a big deal. And I do need to enjoy this freedom. Thanks again. It means a lot. Have a great week!
- July 23, 2013 at 6:46 PM
I'm not your normal commenter. However, the reason I am commenting is because I'm huge on podcast - both in listening and in producing my own. What's my point? You will reach a new/different audience by doing an audio/video show (podcast) than blogpost readers. But if you think doing a podcast is as easier or easier than writing a blogpost then stop now. It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun too.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 23, 2013 at 6:49 PM
Thanks, Steve. And no, I don't think doing a podcast is easier. I'm sure it has its difficulties in many ways, one of which we saw happen last night on our Skype call. Darn technology. :(
- CashRebel says:July 24, 2013 at 8:43 PM
It doesn't matter what everyone else is telling you if you know that you're right! Change is the only constant in life. I'd definitely be up to add a YCL podcast to my lineup!
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 24, 2013 at 8:45 PM
CR, Heck yeah. Thanks, man. I was just talking to my pal Jason from Dividend Mantra and once he picks up a microphone, we're going to give it a try. Stay tuned!
- Thomas | Your Daily Finance says:July 25, 2013 at 8:24 AM
I am not big on Podcasts as I am usually working on sites and find I miss a lot when I am listening to I end up having to listen to them four and five times. Also they usually tend to be on the larger side like 30mins to 1hr and I could get so much read in that time. I also like being able to connect so I find that after the podcast I still go to the blog to say something or ask questions.
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 27, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Thomas, That's fair feedback. Thanks for offering it. Sometimes, podcasts are too long and it can make it difficult. I've found that too.
- GamingYourFinances says:July 27, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Hey Kraig! Great to hear about your experience, it must be only natural to feel those emotions about a big life decision. Just do what feels right! Thanks for sharing!
- Kraig @ Young Cheap Living says:July 27, 2013 at 11:12 AM
GYF, Thanks for the encouragement. I do feel a lot better now after the dust has settled a bit. It was real crazy how I got all shook up after being in that same routine for over 6 years.
