I’m a self-described "dirtbag" who lives on a sailboat full-time with his husband & cat. We’ve lived this way for the past 10 months after exiting our upper-middle-class lives. We’ve sailed 4,000 miles in 3 countries with very few possessions or bells & whistles. Other sailors are super fancy, but we’re not. We don’t even have a working fridge. We still have constraints. But this is our version of rich, because we’ve chosen our constraints. This is our version of enough.
There are so many ways to be rich in this world – even on low wages & relatively small savings. We don’t need to give up all our money, time, & purpose for other people, "later," "maybe," "someday." How do I know? Because when we first considered this lifestyle, I thought it was impossible for people like us. That we couldn’t afford it. That there’s no way it could be possible, otherwise "wouldn't everyone do it?" Yes, it took a few years to save enough financial runway, a year to get that capable boat, & many months to become proficient sailors. But we now have a life that many people put off for decades. And the reality is way more people can do it than the number who initially think they can.
We still need to live "within society" though, to have *meaningful* work, to make *enough* money, to *contribute* in ways that are important. But for now, we're aiming to stay "dirtbag rich" on our terms (not anyone else's). And it looks like it WILL work.
As Blake (& Paul) talk about, many of us can do it now – or at least ASAP. Some of us just need to rebalance time, money, & purpose – even for a shortish amount of time. We also need better role models. And we need to apply our amazing work ethic toward our own version of success.
I LOVE this article. Thanks for sharing. What resonates most was how you articulate stumbling upon the middle path, and the importance of having numerous role models. I’m self-reliant and resourceful to a fault at times. This new path in life is forcing me out of that box a bit, because it’s clear to me that being active in the dirtbag/pathless community will likely increase my chances of success as I’ve defined it.
P.S. I’m the other Corey on the boat with Cory 😂😂.
The term "dirtbag" still feels alienating, but Grok brought me up to speed on the positive use of the word. I agree with the spirit of the article. I never chose a linear career path. I chose adventure and discovery. I made my way from America to East Africa to Southeast Asia covering a span of 50 years. I am very frugal and very focused. I now call myself an "Analog Nomad" to differentiate from the digital version. I made many tough choices, but never felt like it was a sacrifice. I made my own "Pathless Path" I think.
So I resonate with Blake Boles on one level. But I do not understand his repeated phrase to "move his body swiftly through nature." My whole life has been a slow roll through savanna, swamps, mountains, deserts and rainforests. Maybe it's a "bike thing."
And yes we need to have more stories of these alternative lives. Mine is forthcoming.
Thanks Rick (and Grok)! I love the term “Analog Dirtbag.” And the “moving swiftly through nature” is my way of uniting the many human-powered forms of motion that seem to create the deepest feelings of attachment to wild places: hiking, running, lightweight backpacking, cycling, and beyond. Brain chemicals + nature = eternal win!
Thanks for this article. I see myself reflected here, as my primary vocation is parenting/caregiving and Ive relentlessly pursued flexible work that will provide the international and creative lifestyle Ive been living with a family of four for 15 years now. The center of it all has been my amazing children and the community of framily (friends who are like family) that we’ve built around us. There have been ups and downs but I’m happy to say if I had a ton of money right now I wouldn’t do very much differently.
"To begin living differently, you need a bunch of role models. None will exactly match your background, values, risk tolerance, or other constraints. Each will have something to teach you."
I completely agree and why I love listening to other people's stories. Looking forward to checking out your series of interviews.
Okay…hellooo….im new to thisss….and see im not making excuses or anything but just wanna share….IM STUCKED FOR REAL….This is all I wanted to be EVER….I wanted to just leave everything behind and start new in a foreign country and then…I lost my luxury….I was in the last year of clg n my dad died and so does my freedom of going MIA….its been 1.5 years and now Im working in a small consultancy…its not just finance you know!!!!! LIKE I REALLY WANNA DO ALLLLLL but now I have to earn too….Im no complaining….but if…if id be earning quite gooood….id gooo and itd be fair to my family too as i could help them more!!!!
The bit about having time but no money versus money but no time — that's the real tension, isn't it. Most people seem to oscillate between them rather than actually resolve it, which means the mental load of *managing that oscillation* becomes its own kind of work. Which is slightly ambitious to pretend you've solved.
I’m a self-described "dirtbag" who lives on a sailboat full-time with his husband & cat. We’ve lived this way for the past 10 months after exiting our upper-middle-class lives. We’ve sailed 4,000 miles in 3 countries with very few possessions or bells & whistles. Other sailors are super fancy, but we’re not. We don’t even have a working fridge. We still have constraints. But this is our version of rich, because we’ve chosen our constraints. This is our version of enough.
There are so many ways to be rich in this world – even on low wages & relatively small savings. We don’t need to give up all our money, time, & purpose for other people, "later," "maybe," "someday." How do I know? Because when we first considered this lifestyle, I thought it was impossible for people like us. That we couldn’t afford it. That there’s no way it could be possible, otherwise "wouldn't everyone do it?" Yes, it took a few years to save enough financial runway, a year to get that capable boat, & many months to become proficient sailors. But we now have a life that many people put off for decades. And the reality is way more people can do it than the number who initially think they can.
We still need to live "within society" though, to have *meaningful* work, to make *enough* money, to *contribute* in ways that are important. But for now, we're aiming to stay "dirtbag rich" on our terms (not anyone else's). And it looks like it WILL work.
As Blake (& Paul) talk about, many of us can do it now – or at least ASAP. Some of us just need to rebalance time, money, & purpose – even for a shortish amount of time. We also need better role models. And we need to apply our amazing work ethic toward our own version of success.
Thanks, Cory—I love this so much.
I'm subscribing to follow your journey!
Same 😆
I LOVE this article. Thanks for sharing. What resonates most was how you articulate stumbling upon the middle path, and the importance of having numerous role models. I’m self-reliant and resourceful to a fault at times. This new path in life is forcing me out of that box a bit, because it’s clear to me that being active in the dirtbag/pathless community will likely increase my chances of success as I’ve defined it.
P.S. I’m the other Corey on the boat with Cory 😂😂.
Fantastic! Double the Cor(e)y, double the fun?
The term "dirtbag" still feels alienating, but Grok brought me up to speed on the positive use of the word. I agree with the spirit of the article. I never chose a linear career path. I chose adventure and discovery. I made my way from America to East Africa to Southeast Asia covering a span of 50 years. I am very frugal and very focused. I now call myself an "Analog Nomad" to differentiate from the digital version. I made many tough choices, but never felt like it was a sacrifice. I made my own "Pathless Path" I think.
So I resonate with Blake Boles on one level. But I do not understand his repeated phrase to "move his body swiftly through nature." My whole life has been a slow roll through savanna, swamps, mountains, deserts and rainforests. Maybe it's a "bike thing."
And yes we need to have more stories of these alternative lives. Mine is forthcoming.
Thanks Rick (and Grok)! I love the term “Analog Dirtbag.” And the “moving swiftly through nature” is my way of uniting the many human-powered forms of motion that seem to create the deepest feelings of attachment to wild places: hiking, running, lightweight backpacking, cycling, and beyond. Brain chemicals + nature = eternal win!
Thanks for this article. I see myself reflected here, as my primary vocation is parenting/caregiving and Ive relentlessly pursued flexible work that will provide the international and creative lifestyle Ive been living with a family of four for 15 years now. The center of it all has been my amazing children and the community of framily (friends who are like family) that we’ve built around us. There have been ups and downs but I’m happy to say if I had a ton of money right now I wouldn’t do very much differently.
"To begin living differently, you need a bunch of role models. None will exactly match your background, values, risk tolerance, or other constraints. Each will have something to teach you."
I completely agree and why I love listening to other people's stories. Looking forward to checking out your series of interviews.
Thanks Blake!
My pleasure, Ben!
Okay…hellooo….im new to thisss….and see im not making excuses or anything but just wanna share….IM STUCKED FOR REAL….This is all I wanted to be EVER….I wanted to just leave everything behind and start new in a foreign country and then…I lost my luxury….I was in the last year of clg n my dad died and so does my freedom of going MIA….its been 1.5 years and now Im working in a small consultancy…its not just finance you know!!!!! LIKE I REALLY WANNA DO ALLLLLL but now I have to earn too….Im no complaining….but if…if id be earning quite gooood….id gooo and itd be fair to my family too as i could help them more!!!!
The bit about having time but no money versus money but no time — that's the real tension, isn't it. Most people seem to oscillate between them rather than actually resolve it, which means the mental load of *managing that oscillation* becomes its own kind of work. Which is slightly ambitious to pretend you've solved.