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What’s Your Why for FI? — Part 1
Know your why — because chasing money without meaning burns out fast
If we don’t know our why, then what’s the point?
It’s easy to lose sight of the reason we started. Why do we really want financial independence?
Is it freedom, security, purpose, or just escape?
When we forget our why, we risk drifting off course, chasing goals that no longer serve us. That’s why it’s worth pausing, revisiting our original intent, and realigning with what truly matters.
Your why isn’t just a starting point — it’s your compass.
After reading many FIRE blogs, I see a trend. Some of the fortunate ones who have become financially independent now face the dilemma of what to do with their time and lives. I call that a first-world problem.
Building up enough passive income to exceed your annual expenses is one thing; however, finding your purpose or the reason for financial independence (FI) is another.
What Was Your Original Why for FI?
Sometimes we need to backtrack.
Two decades ago, my 'why' was making boatloads of money and globetrotting. This ‘why’ profoundly impacted all my future decisions, including my environment, where I worked and lived, my…
