Ana Miranda
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30 Day Blog Challenge #4 - On Independence

9/8/2013

10 Comments

 
Today's Question: What is your definition of location independence?

I remember when I lived in Brazil and worked as a teacher in a private English school.

I used to live, work and study in a city near my hometown, where my family still lives. I used to spend the weekends with them, leaving as soon as possible when I was done with classes and returning on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Sundays were dreadful! The thought of having to pack, go back, be lonely in the apartment and having to work on Monday morning almost kept me from enjoying my lazy family Sundays. Sometimes I had to skip weekend trips and events because I had to be at work.

My schedule was crazy – one class here, one class there, a huge gap in between or a bunch of classes in a row and no break. There was a time when I was in school every Friday evening until 9:30pm and back on Saturday at 8am to teach non-stop until 1pm. I felt so tired, I wanted to cry on my pillow. Besides all that, I had to plan my lessons.

The thing about teaching is: I had to be there or it didn’t happen. I felt so anxious and pressured. It was a hassle if I got sick or if I missed my bus. Not to mention the amount of times I went through a lesson with a killing headache, stomachache, exhausted, sad, worried, etc.

Ok, most people go through situations like those in their work life and they just suck it up.

I’m just saying that I see it is also possible to:

  • Do work you love and not endure;
  • Work when and where you feel most inspired, be it your office, your garden, a café or a square; 
  • Be able to go on a trip and still do your work; 
  • Not have things depend on your physical presence in order to happen; 
  • Be able to connect and work together with anyone in the world;
  • Be able to share your vision and your wisdom and help people everywhere. 

That’s location independence to me.

I’m still figuring out what kind of work to do to fulfill this vision, but I know (and have always known) that I don’t want to spend most of my time in a job only to make money and then not have the time or energy to have fun and actually enjoy life. 


When I’m old, I’ll be proud of things I’ve done and relationships I’ve build, not the money I made, the things I bought or the job that sucked the life out of me.

PS.: I’m not painting a job as the devil. I know people who have “conventional” jobs and are perfectly happy, enjoying their lives and fulfilling their dreams. Maybe I’ll find one myself before I fly solo and free. If I do, I’ll come back to tell you ;) 

If you want to know more about the challenge, check out her website, Suitcase Entrepreneur. 

10 Comments
Kate link
9/8/2013 01:33:51 pm

Hey Ana! I love your honesty in your answers and thank you for sharing that you are still figuring it out. I remember those days of feeling so exhausted but having to be somewhere at a specific to make things (like paying the bills) happen... it can be very draining. Can't wait to see where you end up!

Reply
Ana Elisa
9/8/2013 03:02:11 pm

Hi Kate! Thanks for your comment and please come back to see where I end up. Suggestions and advice are always welcome :)

Reply
Natalie Sisson link
9/8/2013 01:46:04 pm

It totally is possible and I know you will figure out what your best ideal lifestyle looks like to you and how to make it happen. Thanks for taking part in this journey.

Reply
Ana Elisa
9/8/2013 03:03:59 pm

Hi Natalie, thank you so much for commenting :)
Your Challenge has been very inspiring and I'm loving it. I'm glad I have the time to sit down, reflect and write my answer. Thank you!

Reply
Tatiane
9/8/2013 03:39:05 pm

Oi amiga!Como tenho pensado em meu trabalho ultimamente e a questão é justamente essa - não quero trabalhar por dinheiro e continuar me sentindo tão frustrada ...É estranho prá mim, pensar que a vida inteira busquei uma profissão, mas quando consegui chegar lá, parece que "lá" não é ainda o meu lugar rsrsrs

Reply
Ana Elisa
10/8/2013 04:50:56 am

Oi Tati! Te entendo perfeitamente. Temos buscado um trabalho que nos faça feliz além de pagar as contas né? E ir pro trabalho ansiosa, insatisfeita e voltar exausta não vale a pena...
Mas continuamos a buscar e um dia espero chegar "lá". Vamos trocando ideias :)

Reply
Sam
9/8/2013 05:18:07 pm

Hi Ana, I love this, I also had that realisation about not wanting a job that sucked the life out of me (strangely in a school!)
here's to finding that thing that makes your heart sing!

Reply
Ana Elisa
10/8/2013 04:53:34 am

Hi Sam!

People who work in schools give so much! So much energy and time, there are so many people (students and co-workers) to care for, share and spend time with (which can be good, but exhausting!).

Yes, let's make our hearts sing - and dance!

Reply
Christen link
12/8/2013 07:55:21 am

Hi Ana, I relate so well with your post. I've been making myself sick in my job, and in the end enduring a job, as you say, is not what will make us feel like we've lived a good life!

I look forward to reading your future posts. Good luck in making the changes you want in your life!

Reply
Ana Elisa
12/8/2013 10:36:30 am

Hi Christen! Thanks for your comment and I hope you find work that you love and that supports you with abundance and peace :)

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