From Cubicle to Freedom

1. From Cubicle to Freedom. How I build a life on my own terms

Chapter 1. The power of a positive mindset

Have you ever felt like there’s a bigger purpose to your life? A reason why you’re here on this planet? I’ve been pondering this question for as long as I can remember, and it’s something that crosses my mind every day. We live in a world full of debates, where people argue about everything from the shape of the earth to the best way to live our lives. But one thing we all have in common is the desire to be happy and independent.

Chapter 2. The art of living your dream

It’s hard to put into words the feeling of being on your first backpack trip. It’s a mix of excitement, wonder, and the thrill of the unknown. I was able to fully immerse myself in the experience without the burden of financial stress. Quitting my job was a risk, but it paid off in a way that I couldn’t have imagined. Of course, there was a catch. I couldn’t live off of that backpacking trip forever.

Chapter 3. Learning from Failure, the key to success

During our journey as entrepreneurs, my friend Ralph and I learned a lot about taking risks and making things happen. Despite not having all the necessary skills at the beginning, we were determined to succeed with our platform, Rentsy. We knew that there was a problem that we could solve, and we had a good understanding of our target audience. However, our platform didn’t grow as much as we had hoped.

Chapter 4. Hustling and grind, Building a life on your own terms

During those times of uncertainty, I had to be resourceful and creative. I couldn’t rely on a steady paycheck and income from tenants, so I had to find other ways to make money. I remember doing odd jobs here and there, like illegal taxi driving at night and being an Airbnb host and guide, just to make ends meet. Becoming an Airbnb host was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Chapter 5. The Company you keep, How to choose the right friends and partners

I believe that friendships are an essential part of our lives, but it is true that not all of them are meant to last forever. As I have grown and changed over the years, I have realized that I have taken different paths and developed different values, leading to a natural drift in my relationships. When I look back, it can be difficult to name five close friends who have remained close throughout the years.

Chapter 6. The Network effect

Networking is a critical aspect of achieving success in both personal and professional life. Imagine walking into a room filled with 50 strangers who have no common interests or connections. In such a situation, people may approach you and ask about your story, but without any shared interests, the conversation may not go very far. The real value of networking lies in meeting new people who share your interests or who can help you achieve your goals.

Chapter 7. Slow and steady wins the race, embracing the journey

In my experience, it’s common for people to use others’ lives as a benchmark for their own success. They may compare their own age and accomplishments to those of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or a lack of direction. However, I believe that every person is unique and has their own individual path in life, with their own set of talents and opportunities. Some individuals are born with a natural talent for singing or playing an instrument, while others may excel in sports and have the opportunity to pursue a career as a professional athlete.

Chapter 8. Overcoming insecurities, Finding confidence and success

Insecurities are a common experience for many people, and they often stem from experiences that have left emotional scars. For example, if you have been in a relationship with someone who hurt you deeply, it is natural to carry those wounds with you into your next relationship. Similarly, if you have been bullied or discriminated against, it can affect your self-esteem and make you feel insecure in social situations. There is no one specific cause for insecurity, as many factors can contribute to it.

From impulsive to intentional, Making better decisions

I have always been an impulsive person, never making concrete plans, but it has made me the person I am today. Like most people, I have fired off an email, said something I didn’t want to, or even booked a flight and left the next day on a whim. I think we are all victims of impulsiveness, it’s just how our brains work. When you try to think about what to say next, you’ll be surprised that there’s no clear answer.

Happiness is a choice, Creating your own joyful life

I believe that pockets are meant to put things in, and wallets and bank accounts are meant to be filled with digits and paper bills. In my case, my pocket is not empty or filled, but it’s enough to live from. I don’t need too much to live from, and I consider myself a simple human being who lives pretty minimalistic. In the past, I have lived in countries with just a backpack that contains all the essentials.

Happiness is a choice, Creating your own joyful life

I believe that pockets are meant to put things in, and wallets and bank accounts are meant to be filled with digits and paper bills. In my case, my pocket is not empty or filled, but it’s enough to live from. I don’t need too much to live from, and I consider myself a simple human being who lives pretty minimalistic. In the past, I have lived in countries with just a backpack that contains all the essentials. This way of life has taught me that I don’t need many things to be happy.

If I wanted to, tomorrow, I could take a plane and live in another country, for example. It’s because I’m not committed to anything that makes me happy. This way, I have the freedom to explore different parts of the world and experience new things without feeling tied down to any particular place.

I have adopted a different mindset when it comes to my expenses. I have realized that I don’t need to have a loan for a house or a mobile phone subscription to be happy. In fact, I have found that owning fewer things has given me more freedom and flexibility in my life. I used to have many subscriptions and commitments that drained my finances. But now, I’m more careful with my spending and only pay for things that truly add value to my life.

For example, instead of paying for an expensive gym membership that I only use a few times a week, I have started using a free app called Madbarz that allows me to do bodyweight exercises anywhere I want. I have also stopped subscribing to unnecessary services and only pay for things that are essential to my well-being.

I have found that this approach has allowed me to live more minimally and has given me more financial freedom. Instead of spending all my money on fixed costs like rent, car payments, and insurance, I can now save more and have the freedom to travel or explore new hobbies. For me, it’s not just about what’s going into my pocket, but also what’s going out of it. By being mindful of my expenses, I have been able to live a more fulfilling and financially stable life.

I used to struggle with the expectations of my family when it came to my future plans. They were disappointed because they couldn’t see me applying for jobs or taking the usual steps to secure my future. However, they didn’t realize that I had a different plan in mind. I had saved up a considerable amount of money from my previous job, and I invested it in a project that now generates steady income for me.

It wasn’t an easy journey, and I had to make some sacrifices. I often volunteered and had to say no to social activities with friends because I was focused on saving money. But all of that hard work and dedication paid off in the end. Now, I have the freedom to enjoy the benefits of my investment and save for my future without being tied to a 9 to 5 job.

During my phase of diligently saving money, there were instances where some of my friends and family members perceived me as stingy. However, I understood that their perspective stemmed from a lack of insight into my personal circumstances and the challenges I was navigating. As the saying goes, people are often unaware of the struggles one faces or the contents of one’s pocket. Therefore, it became crucial for me to remain steadfast in my goals and not allow the opinions of others to discourage me. By staying focused on my financial objectives, I could prioritize my own journey and make choices that aligned with my long-term aspirations, despite any external judgment.

Nowadays, I still prefer to order water instead of beer when I go out with my friends, who do drink a lot. Not because I can’t afford it, but because I genuinely believe that water is the best drink on the planet. And if someone else wants to order a beer, it’s on me. I have learned that it’s not about what’s in my pocket, but it’s about how I manage my finances to achieve my goals. It’s like teaching a child to walk; you have to start slow and steady, and then they’ll eventually learn to run.

Personally, I have experienced the pressure of parents with high expectations for their children. Throughout my life, I have constantly been compared to other people and to my parents’ own accomplishments. For example, my parents would say things like, “Your friend already has a car at your age. Why don’t you have one?” or “I was already married and buying a house at your age. What have you achieved?” Comments like these can really sting, but they have also opened up other doors for me.

I have come to realize that the new era of thinking is different from the traditional mindset of being dependent on material possessions and accumulating debt. Many people are choosing to live a more minimalistic lifestyle and are striving to be debt-free. Rather than buying a house to live in, people are purchasing properties with the intention of renting them out to generate income and to open up other opportunities.

This shift in perspective has allowed me to see beyond the expectations of my parents and society. I have come to understand that success does not have to be measured by the number of material possessions one owns or the status they have achieved in society. Rather, it is about finding fulfillment and purpose in life, and creating opportunities for oneself that align with their values and aspirations.

I believe that buying a house and working hard for it may not necessarily be the best choice for everyone. Personally, I’ve realized that I don’t want to be tied down to one place and not be able to travel or explore new opportunities. Instead, I chose to invest the same amount of money into living in Bali for a year, where I enjoyed driving a motorbike and having my food delivered to my beautiful guesthouse. I believe this is a trend that will continue to grow, with more people, including millennial couples with children, choosing a debt-free, hassle-free lifestyle. Some even choose to work as digital nomads to finance their travels. Of course, it all depends on what one can afford and is willing to sacrifice for their happiness. Ultimately, it’s your life, and you should make your own choices based on what brings you joy and fulfillment.