The problem with seeking financial independence is that it does not equate to freedom.

As employee, you fear losing your job. As business owner, you fear losing market share. As retired, you fear for accelerated inflation, pandemic medical costs, and portfolio performance loss. As landlord, you fear tenant liabilities and eviction moratoriums. As investor, add to the list of woes the fear of litigation and the stealth incumbent “disrupting” your fund’s investment… so no one is ever truly independent.

To spend less time worrying, focus your work on things that stay meaningful to you independent of any outcomes from the work. Enforcing FIRE as a precondition for giving to charity or spending time doing things you love is the fast track to misery. Save yourself the destruction of the hate train and cultivate love of your present life.

Tough times are a good place to reform habits because things are uncomfortable. When you practice a habit during tough times, it will stick during good times. Therefore, be mindful of the habits you choose when you are down as they’ll accompany you when things are looking up. Do things that matter (to you) despite tough times and you’ll actually form the kind of habits that recalibrate your life.

Freedom is only conditional on the mind and spirit alone, as riches are found inside you long before the rest of the world notices you’ve left your rags.