Do you feel like you’re in a rat race? If you do, it’s time to do something about it. Here’s how to leave the rat race in a big city and find more happiness and peace in your life. So if you’re ready to start living a better life, keep reading!
Big cities with big jobs hold a lot of appeal for many people. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and you can earn a great wage. But it also tends to mean long hours, doing a job you don’t totally love, and being too tired or busy to enjoy all the entertainment, restaurants and activities going on there.
Many people dream of leaving the rat race, but why not actually do it? Some people who leave the rat race also leave the big city behind. But others stay in a big city, and change up their lives to find a better balance.
Here are some ideas on exploring your next steps if you’re thinking of leaving the rat race.
Decide If You Stay Or Go
First off, decide if you want to leave the big city or stay there. If you’d like to stay, but just change your lifestyle and career, look into freelancing or working from home. These days, technology makes it easier to move away from the cubicle and have a more flexible job.
If you do decide to leave, research other cities that offer the lifestyle you want. Consider where your family and friends are located, so you can stay connected.
Look Into Different Careers
If you want to make a radical change, think about different occupations and industries that you might like more. Talk to people who work in these industries, attend industry events and conferences, and explore opportunities that may be out there for you.
If you have an entrepreneurial streak, you might also think of setting up your own business. There are so many options, so find something that appeals to you and think through how you’d actually carve it into a career. Love flowers? Get work experience with a florist to see what it actually entails. Interested in emerging trends, such as the legalization of cannabis? Look into the New York dispensary license cost, in which case you could stay in a big city and set up your own business that is right on trend. Always wanted to help people? See what it would take to re-train as a nurse, paramedic or other professional in the care field.
Save Up an Emergency Fund
Once you’ve decided on a plan, it’s time to get started. Get the ball rolling by creating a budget and start putting money aside to create a financial cushion. You’ll need that in case things don’t go as planned. An emergency fund of at least three to six months of living expenses is a must. If you’re leaving the rat race and moving away from a big city, make sure you have enough money to cover your costs until you get settled.
You may need to get serious about your spending if you want to save enough money for your emergency fund. Cut down on eating out and review any of your unnecessary day-to-day costs. And if you are moving away from a big city, consider the idea that you might need to buy a car, whereas in the city, you can probably get around fine on public transport.
Create a Detailed Plan
Having a detailed plan will help you stay on track and motivated to reach your goals. Set milestones and timelines, and don’t forget to reward yourself when you hit them. Remember that the idea of leaving the rat race is to have a better life, so don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way!
It might seem a little formal to create a plan, but this also gives you the best chance of thinking of everything and ultimately achieving what you want to. Use a spreadsheet or set reminders in your phone to remind yourself of some of the key milestones and items on your to-do list to help you get there.
Don’t Lose Momentum
It’s important to stay motivated and not lose momentum. The idea of leaving the rat race can be exciting, but it will take a lot of work to actually make it happen. Some people can work towards the new plan quite happily for a few months, and then start to lose interest in the hard work that goes into making it happen. Do what you need to do to stay motivated, whether it’s getting a sibling or loved one to keep nagging you, or getting a life coach to keep you on track. Setting up a new career and lifestyle can be stressful, so don’t forget to take time out for yourself during this process. Remember, the goal is to live a better life and achieve freedom. If you stay focused, keep researching opportunities and follow your plan, you will eventually achieve your goal.
One Step At A Time
Finally, take things one step at a time. Don’t try to do everything at once, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Enjoy the process of leaving the rat race, congratulate yourself for making it happen and celebrate your successes along the way.
Things will likely be a bit stressful at times, but if you stay positive and never give up, in time you’ll achieve your goal. Good luck!