Life Simplification

A good friend of mine recently resurfaced after being out of touch for about 18 months. The last time I had lunch with him, he was having some marital issues and had just joined the ranks of the unemployed (he's a tech guy as well).

In the 18 months, he got divorced, took some Spanish classes, and then went on a home-study trip to Costa Rica. When he got back, he decided he needed a different kind of job, so he's now working as a ramp service agent for Alaska Airlines at SeaTac airport, and looking to get back into writing.

I envy his ability to push the reset button on his life, and then figure out what he really wants to do when he grows up.

I've been trying to simplify my life as well recently, though I doubt that any changes I make will be as drastic as his were.

The tradeoff between money and free time is a hard one. Ideally, I'd like to have both, and while that could happen if my stock market investments go well, it's not something that's going to happen overnight - or even in the next few years.

I may write about one specific “life simplification” decision in a separate blog, if I decide to go that way...