New Here?
Welcome to Untemplater!
If you’re new here then your first impression is probably something like this…
“Well, isn’t this a bizarre looking site. Hmm, ‘Untemplater’, what ever does that mean? And what is it you write about? How about some help here getting started?”
We hear you! We know ourselves what it’s like being the new guy in town. So this page is meant to help you get familiar with all that Untemplater is and has to offer.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! Oh, you may want to buckle up – radical awesomeness ahead!
What Exactly IS Untemplater?
Untemplater has a simple mission – to inspire a special community of free-thinkers to “shatter the template lifestyle” in favor of a truly passionate, unique, and unconventional one. We reject the “deferred life plan” – the lifestyle template that boxes people into believing that freedom doesn’t start until you retire at 65.
Instead, we aim to live life on our own terms by taking action and working hard to pursue our goals and dreams now. Our motto is to
Work where you want…Live how you want…Be who you want to be.
Read more on our About page and download a copy of our free Untemplater Manifesto.
Who Keeps the Party Going Here?
That’d be me – Sydney. It’s a great pleasure to meet you!
In addition to posts by yours truly, there are all sorts of untemplate stories and helpful tips by people from all over the blogosphere. Check out our Meet the Authors page for some of our recent contributors. We each have very unique backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and talents. Despite our diversity of thought and action, we’re united in our shared belief that the conventional life plan doesn’t work anymore. Thus, we’re in the trenches, like you, actively building and growing our remarkable lives of unbridled passion and unconventionality.
So What’s My Story?
In a nutshell, I’m a glass half full, busy bee gal currently working two rewarding jobs in addition to being the Jane of all trades for Untemplater. Is it really possible for me to do all of this and not be a walking zombie? Absolutely, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been! 
Now if I had to pick just one word to describe myself I’d probably pick “nerd” as I love writing, organizing, and making spreadsheets, and am so attached to my iPhone that I suffer from vibranxiety (aka phantom vibration syndrome). I’m most often found sitting in front of a book, magazine, or electronic device at home or in the library. When I’m not plugged in, I’m out taking pictures, hiking through the mountains with my fabulous Vibram FiveFingers, and traveling the world.
I wasn’t always so actively geeky though. Believe it or not, I used to be a total sloth! I slept in until 12 on weekends, watched 6+ hours of TV a day, didn’t socialize or keep in touch with family/friends, and just shuffled my way to and from a boring job everyday with no purpose and no sense of direction.
My Quarter Life Crisis
Then I went through a quarter life crisis and tried to break into acting, singing, and teaching music lessons. I grew up performing in theater at school, playing several musical instruments, and singing in the choir. So much of my childhood was involved in the arts and music that I thought it was my destiny to break free of the corporate world and go back to my artsy roots.
I decided to take the leap, and gave it my all. I took acting classes and singing lessons, posed for headshots, started playing music several hours a day, went for auditions, taught music lessons, etc. etc. To my surprise though, by the end of just eight months I lost interest in it all and really missed office work, and most of all – my computer!
Long story short, I realized my true calling wasn’t to be an entertainer or a musician. Instead I found my passions in my current jobs and in sharing with you guys through Untemplater, and count my blessings every day. Even though I lost a good chunk of money in the eight months I tried to become a full time actor/singer/musician, I have no regrets and actually appreciate what I have now so much more. As Steve Jobs said so brilliantly, “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”
So what am I up to now? Everything! My life is filled with laughter and learning. I’m happily married and am constantly discovering new things about myself and our incredible world through personal finance, blogging, minimalism, travel, and running my own company. I’ve stopped throwing money away on clothes and meaningless clutter, and am instead put it to much better use by helping others, traveling the world, and creating my own adventures!
Thanks!
Congrats on making it through your Untemplater foundations training. Woo-hoo!
Untemplater wouldn’t be what is it today without readers like you, so thank you! Stick around and enjoy the site. There’s a wealth of radically awesome articles. And don’t forget to download our free Untemplater Manifesto.
Cheers!
- Sydney
