Why I Want To Take The Leap

 

After migrating here from Cuba fifty one years ago at nine years of age and considering myself an American, I have come to realize that the structures in place in the United States no longer resonate with my values and what I want out of life.

At my age, I am done with chasing the American dream and yearn for a life that is simpler. I yearn for more free time and less anxiety. I yearn for a slow life — a life of simplicity.

0I reject the idea of my worth being in my work. That what I do is more important than who I am. I don’t want to live to work — I want to work to live. It’s practically impossible to live comfortably in the U.S. when the minimum wage barely covers your cost of living. I don’t see the point in staying in a country where living to work is more prioritized than enjoying life. Everything is a means to an end in this country and the quality of life just isn’t there. This makes striving for a work/life balance a worthless endeavor.

I reject the concept of excessive materialism and flamboyant overconsumption that exists here. I am surrounded by people that seek eternal fulfillment by being a constant consumer.

The fear of not being able to afford healthcare keeps me up at night. I want to escape a health system that punishes instead of help the sick.

I have come to realize that money only marginally changes life. The only difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich have money. It doesn’t solve the problems that people without it seem to think it will. External things don’t fix internal issues. We tend to forget this and it causes much confusion and suffering.

There is more to existing than working hard to pay off mortgages. When I visit other countries, a disturbing vision of the rest of my life on the same anti-climatic loop plays in my mind. My instinctual nature is prudent and life-preserving and it tells me when enough is enough.

I know that in other countries out there, there is a different way to live. Most countries outside of the U.S. do indeed live this way — with more simplicity and more ease.

One day, I’ll take that kamikaze leap.