This is a home and shared resource for those looking to create more personal freedom in their lives. Here, we discuss alternative ways to think, live, learn and work. You’re here in the early stages, thanks for stopping by.
To share. To connect. To create a network of extraordinary individuals doing extraordinary things.
Originally a personal journal, this project's roots date back to 2004. Only recently has it evolved to what you see here.
This is a platform for discussing the psychology of work, travel & lifestyle design.
There are options everywhere. To see them, often times all it takes is a new vantage point. Or a new lens.
Too often, the expectations and agendas of others act like magnets that pull our compasses off-kilter, leaving us wandering off in the wrong direction. When we realize what’s happened, our natural reaction is to fight to regain control and get ourselves back on course. Our default response is more. More productivity. More planning. More scheduling. More willpower.
The flâneur, on the other hand, doesn’t let himself get locked into a specific course of action. He knows he’s most effective when he’s less in control. He takes life in, letting it take him where it goes. Instead of planning out every minute of every day, the flâneur learns to make decisions in real time based on the best information at hand. The result: better quality work, more time, and a lot more options for how to spend it.
The flâneur is a character from literary history; a highly observant stroller (read more here).
You wouldn’t know a flâneur if you saw one on the street. They look like you and I. In fact, if you’re here you’re likely to a flâneur yourself (even if you don’t know it yet).
As undirected wanderers who make real-time decisions as new information comes in, I think flâneurs are the perfect representation of free individuals. Totally open to serendipity, not locked into one given way of doing things and constantly getting stronger in a process of trial and error.
Flânerie is this act of idle wandering, and the overarching philosophy has practical implications for life that span the areas of health, money-making and even relationships.
For example:
Flâneurs are seeking out the best course of action and don't default to the standard life plan of university-job-marriage-kids-retirement. They craft their own lifestyle.
Flâneurs consciously choose their location based on preferences, goals and information instead of it being dictated to them by their job our outside influences.
Flâneurs work passionately on projects that excite them or are necessary to get to the next level. They seek opportunities where there is no cap on their earning potential.
40% of the US workforce will be freelancers by 2020. That means more options in terms of workplaces. Less bringing the work to the worker.
Source: Intuit
62% of millennials are willing to quit their job in the next two years as they see better alternatives in the gig economy.
Source: Deloit
But Airbnb, Uber and cheap air travel has made it so that choosing our location is easier than ever. The gig economy of freelancing shows us that we can make our own income and take back control. The Four Hour Work Week taught us that we can automate things in business.
This is a trend that’s only going to continue. While sometimes you may feel like you’re stuck in your current situation and location, there are lots of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things in extraordinary places around the world. And they leave clues about how to do the same.
Sometimes a vacation can the best way to get that perspective you need, that reminder of what it feels like to be free of routine, schedules and systems. That realization that the way you’re living may not exactly be the best way to live.
Get out there and improvise. The world needs you to.
It was created in order to:
My name’s Blake Miner. I’m just a guy that loves to learn.
I’m still a student myself. This site is a way for me to ensure I have a place to document what I’m learning. If it’s interesting or of value to others, even better.
Living in multiple countries and traveling around the world for more than 11 years has lead to plenty of interesting experiences and introduced me to plenty of interesting people along the way. After toying with this idea for several years, I’ve decided to finally set up this ecosystem to allow me to work on all of my passions and connect with people who share them. It’s my outlet for continuous learning and creation.
If you’re not happy with the status quo or are in search of a lifestyle change my goal here is to connect you with others who are on the same path and show you that there are alternatives for creating a life where you’re in the driver’s seat.
For now I’m doing most of the writing but in the future this will be a shared platform. The site is run by me and a small team of helpers.
Want to write for the blog? We accept high quality guest posts that have a direct overlap for our message and audience. Send a message and let’s chat.
Kudos to talented artist Isabelle Speck for the custom cover art.
And to everyone I’ve ever worked with or shared adventures with, thank you. You’ve helped shape how I see the world and I appreciate you for it.
