Comments on: Ask The Readers: How do you explain your lifestyle to others?

By: Sonicsuns

Sonicsuns — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:29:24 +0000

I tell people that, plain and simple, I’m ignoring the “real world” and following my dreams. =)

By: torbjorn

torbjorn — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:51:51 +0000

Haha. Yea. I guess either way one has to learn to Xplain themselves. Such is life.

By: floreta

floreta — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:11:05 +0000

first of all, congrats on the kick ass internship!

as for your question, I also say I’m a writer. It’s easier to say than a SEO web content writer/blogger/social media marketer updating facebook/twitter accounts for clients while I travel the world and sustain a part-time income quite well in Asia + some saved money.

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:45:36 +0000

Mostly people would either think it was a joke or hear it as “unemployed”. Then later they would ask if I had found a job … ugh!

By: Dariane

Dariane — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:06:04 +0000

I like how your approach is short and sweet, that you’ve found something to sum it all up.

Just curious, what kind of responses did you get from telling people you are “early retired”? How are those responses different from saying you’re a “writer”?

By: Dariane

Dariane — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:59:11 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion! I guess a fear I have in using that approach is if I ask, “Well you know how…” that the response I’ll get is, “Uhh, no.” Hehe

By: Hugh

Hugh — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:33:15 +0000

I love this, Tyler!

By: Hugh

Hugh — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:32:27 +0000

I love this topic and it’s something I’ve thought about for a while. While I don’t live the Untemplater lifestyle yet, I’m on my way. It’s funny because none of my friends or my parents know I have a couple blogs. Most of them have no idea what a blog is. I’ve often wondered how I’m eventually going to explain my untemplater lifestyle to others. People have a real hard time understanding diversions from the norm, especially those of our parents’ generation (I’m 29). But what I have come to realize early on is that it doesn’t matter what other people think, as long as I’m living my dream life. A good friend has a better saying: “What other people think of me is none of my business.” If you can adopt that attitude, you’ll be a helluva lot more relaxed!

By: Brenton Gieser

Brenton Gieser — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:03:03 +0000

I love the question Dariane,

It’s a question me and my nonconforming friends used to ask our selves quite often (and still do).

I think the answer is…you should answer different each person you speak to.

You may be talking to a person who needs guidance…In that case, speak with enthusiasm and empathy for their situation (we are all there in some respects)

You may be taking to a pretentious uber professional professional …in that case say “you know what..I don’t think you would understand”

You may be talking to your parents…in that case tell them that you love what you’re doing, you are making a difference and you will still be able to buy them that car your promised them when you 12.

The “elevator pitch” depends on who is standing in the elevator with you. Cater your explanation, don’t be overly descriptive and have fun with it!