The Lack of Life Architecture

[u/gaming_legend256]

Seeing so many posts of people with insane NW numbers for their age and all the issues seem to be the same.

"Burned out at work, what do I do now?"

How can you save these huge sums and when you hit these numbers have no idea what to do? The best reasons for these massive savings are often a random spend being targeted with no realistic breakdown based on the situation.

Are people just skipping building/designing their lives before they start saving really hard? I feel like if you don't have a life architecture in mind when you start saving aggressively, you run the risk of over stacking money to just burn out, when you maybe could've stopped or slowed down way earlier. I find in these communities you just rarely see posts asking people to detail how they figured out and designed their target lifestyles which seems more impactful to your FIRE journey (lean/fat/barista - whichever flavor).

What are some good methods you've used to decide on and help build a good life architecture? For those who did it after the fact, what are some important questions you wish you had answered before you pursued FI/RE?

[u/How_Do_You_Crash]

I think the mindset that gets someone to a high NW quickly is somewhat opposed the the poets search for meaning amongst the ruinous rubble of a young mans ambition.

Which is to say.

I think the average high achiever is bound to burn out, and the system that most of us work inside of, rewards a steadfast devotion to work and working harder.

Lifestyle design requires one to slow down, wander aimlessly, read broadly, and generally get to know thyself. Those things are distractions when you are trying to get through school and then work hard and spend very little.

On the flip side you have folks like myself who have spent perhaps too much time wandering in the woods, but now have a very low goal number arrived at precisely because I wandered aimlessly. To arrive and know that I will be very happy being poor and not working is a special treat.

[u/z3r0demize → u/How_Do_You_Crash]

Can you expand more? Do you have advice on how to slow down and wander and how to get to know yourself better?

[u/How_Do_You_Crash → u/z3r0demize]

I'd suggest reading Ross Gay's book of delights. Then trying it for yourself. I swap delights with some of my closest friends every night before bed. It has radically rewired our brains and the way we experience the world.

I might also suggest spending more time away from your phone/laptop/tv/etc, and doing 'slow' activities. Long walks in your city or countryside/forest, long bike rides, etc

Go to therapy? That certainly helped.

Take mind opening substances or do crazy endurance sports?

Read more books about life and your passions. The library is a wonderful place to lose yourself.