Recently, I had a fascinating conversation with a wholesaler who was trying to sell me a property to renovate and flip. The interaction became an insightful reflection of how dramatically my values and life priorities have evolved over time.

In our conversation, the wholesaler kept suggesting ways to grow my business—more properties, more clients, more revenue. He seemed genuinely puzzled when I explained I had no interest in scaling my business further. Instead, I shared that I was moving to Latin America to simplify my life, reduce stress, and spend meaningful, quality time with my children.

“But don’t you want more?” was essentially his repeated question. The idea that someone would consciously choose to step away from the never-ending pursuit of more seemed foreign to him. This reaction reinforced just how deeply ingrained the pursuit of constant growth and accumulation is in our society.

But here’s what I’ve learned: once you’ve reached a certain level of financial stability and security, additional money or possessions often don’t bring lasting happiness or fulfillment. My experience taught me that true joy lies in simplicity, in moments with my family, and in having freedom—the freedom of time, the freedom of place, and the freedom from unnecessary stress.

My philosophy is straightforward. I run a small, efficient business, Eco Bear, remotely. I own three rental properties and consistently max out my IRA contributions. At this stage, that’s enough. Chasing more would only take away from my real priorities—time with my children and the joy of exploring new places without worry or complication.

This wholesaler’s inability to fully understand my choice isn’t unusual. It illustrates the broader mindset shift required to step off the treadmill of relentless pursuit. Our society often associates success with having more money, bigger houses, and impressive job titles. But success, to me, is about consciously creating a life you don’t need to escape from.

In the coming months, as I embark on my Latin American adventure with my children, I’m excited to embody these values fully. Life is short, and choosing intentional simplicity over endless growth isn’t just freeing—it’s truly fulfilling.