The Story of the Mexican Fisherman
There’s a story I read about a Mexican fisherman. He spends his days fishing just enough to support himself, then he hangs out with his friends and family. A businessman tells him he could expand, make millions, and eventually retire to enjoy life. The fisherman simply asks, “What do you think I’m doing now?”
That story resonates with me. For years, I was chasing promotions, higher paychecks, and the idea of success. But two and a half years ago, I asked myself: What are we really working toward? The answer wasn’t more money or status—it was freedom. We realized that if we made a few changes, we could already live the life we wanted.
So, we simplified. We sold or threw away almost everything we owned, keeping only what would fit into three suitcases. It felt incredible to let go of all the stuff that didn’t matter. It was freeing to think, “This is all we need.” From there, we embraced the digital nomad lifestyle, traveling to places we’d always dreamed of while still staying connected to work.
We did that for a year before we decided to settle down a little more. But as you can see, we still travel often.
Remote work was the key to making it all possible. Without it, this life wouldn’t have been sustainable. Working online gave us the flexibility to travel without sacrificing income or stability. For me, it also changed how I viewed my job. Once I was no longer tied to an office, work stopped feeling so overwhelming. There were no commutes, no office distractions—just the freedom to integrate my work into the life I wanted.
