Ever thought about leaving everything in your current life and starting all over

[Tresbn00]

I read John Updike's "Run Rabbit Run" in College and the concept of leaving it all behind and starting afresh surfaces more and more.  Leaving the daily grind, selfless/thankless acts, torturing myself by working three times harder than anyone that I know, sacrificing my body and health and not getting what I want...trading it for a minimal stress, fun job out of the country, turning my back on the people leaching the life from my body, and starting all over...a whole new and simpler life sounds so much better (maybe its just a guy thing).

[ElleRich]

I don't think it's a guy thing at all.  My husband and I have pondered over leaving the USA to have another home in Ecuador.  To most it is far fetched, but I've done alot of research about living there and life is much simpler and cheaper.  You can retire there and live like a king for less than $2000.00 per month.  I  was once in the corporate rat race, working three different shifts in 7 days....and then going to working at nights in the hotel industry.  It has taken a complete toll on my body and I have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue to show for it.  Now I am housebound and am working closely with my doctors to hopefully change it so I don't have to be so dependent on others.

[JessieKateRose]

Well, in a way. For the most part I like my life, but my current plan involves living with my parents for 6 more years while I get doctorate degree and I don't want to live with them anymore. I also don't want them to have to pay for all of that.

So right now I'm thinking about getting an internship where my boyfriend works. Basically, I'd go to school for 6 months and then have a job building, repairing and programing highly advanced robots that work an assembly line. It's not half as good pay as what I want, but I'd start getting paid within months instead of years, and I can get out of here.

[samrhett2]

Yes, I have thought of that.  But I am responsible for so many other people and pets I would just feel guilty and could not enjoy myself.

[dreamyxo]

I sort of did that several years ago when I moved to Taiwan to teach English after I was laid off from my job of seven years.  I hated that job (call center) for all but one year of working there (I wasn't on the phones that year).  I was happy when the center closed because of a famous accounting scandal. 

When I was in Taiwan I had the time of my life.  I had always wanted to live in a place where I didn't know the language and see if I could get along.  I made great friends and traveled and was even able to save up some decent money.  The pace of life there was slower maybe because I was a foreigner and I sort of lived in a bubble.  Then I moved to Hawaii and because I had an ok amount of savings I didn't have to work for about nine months.  I just didn't want to go back to the rat race

I've been back in the the rat race for a few years now I'm sick of working.  My job is not that bad but I hate my company (management) and I hate the daily grind of it all.  I want my time to be my own.  I'm focused now on being financially independent and starting my own online businesses and creating multiple streams of income so that I can can have the freedom to do the things I really want.   

[Mikena]

 Well in a way I sort of did that. I left after my 3 boys were grown though. I had a husband of 23 years, land , a beautiful home and owned my business. I just couldn't take the stress of trying to keep up a husband. He couldn't hold onto a job. He wouldn't help me in mine and if he did it was a nightmare. I just walked away and relocated in another city far enough away as to not have to worry about him giving me any-more worries. My 3 boys know where I am and I see them regularly. They don't have anything to do with their Father, either. I must say that LIFE has been very Good since I made that most important decision. Some-times though; I regret that it took me so long to make that choice. It's better to have finally made it ; rather then live in misery.

[sommap]

No.  I am very happy with my current life and would not even consider going somewhere else and starting all over. 

[kin5718]

I read John Updike's "Run Rabbit Run" in College and the concept of leaving it all behind and starting afresh surfaces more and more.  Leaving the daily grind, selfless/thankless acts, torturing myself by working three times harder than anyone that I know, sacrificing my body and health and not getting what I want...trading it for a minimal stress, fun job out of the country, turning my back on the people leaching the life from my body, and starting all over...a whole new and simpler life sounds so much better (maybe its just a guy thing).

No not just a guy thing. I feel you. Its hard right now. I want to get up and leave myself, but I can't. But if I could I would. Trust me I know you aren't the only one feeling this way

[footemama]

Right now this is a VERY attractive prospect. The only thing I absolutely COULD NOT leave behind would be my son! But I live in a part of the country with an extremely high unemployment rate.....I was out of the workforce (had a baby) when the s**t hit the fan with the economy, separated from my husband, and haven't been able to worm my way back into the workforce since. I live with my parents so my son and I have everything we need but I hate it and I feel really guilty for having to live here. I'm in school now but the thought of being able to just walk away from everything (especially the debt that my marriage left me) is almost a compulsion at times.

I am however "too responsible" to just pick up and say well I'm not paying any of you companies because I wasn't the one who charged it all and I'm going to flit around the country and do whatever. Besides I think the reality of flitting around would not be ideal. LOL

[the_mrophling_916]

Deffinatley, my wife and i always think about it. just packing a bag and heading out to mexico or something and just living a new life away from all the day to day bs that is american life.

[sflynt]

I honestly haven't. I am truly grateful for what I have in life. It might not always be perfect but to me it is. I enjoy the simple things in life and as long as we have jobs, food on the table, roof over our head, good health and clothes on our backs, then I'm happy. I couldn't ask for more.

[dkanofsky]

Nope.  I'm happy with the life the good Lord is guiding me through.

[U2BMATH]

Yupper, August 26, 2008, my wife and I left everything in Massachusetts, and came to Colorado. Rent was out of control in New England, and so we did an internet search of all 50 states, and for us, found Colorado to be the cheapest place to live. So, we researched what it would cost to move all our belongings with us and U-Haul would have cost us $1600 do rent the truck not including the cost of gas along the way. Too burdensome for us, so we just destroyed everything we owned, threw it all away, and shipped 5 small boxes via UPS with bare essentials like clothing, etc. With $300 in hand, we moved.

It's been a terribly rough 2 1/2 years getting back on our feet, especially in an economy where finding a job is nearly impossible. But we got involved in a church down here, and they've helped us out considerably. The reason for the move wasn't just financial. It was largely that, but also a "NEED" to get away from family after 20 years and venturing out on our own.

Tough though it has been, I'll say for the record here, "It was the best damn decision we ever have made!" I'd say you could me on that, but I um, already did, hehe.

Mike & Carolyn, Happy Coloridians!

[greybyrde]

oh we've all thought about it. but if you're gonna do it do it while you're young. before you get tied down with a family