Simple Life

Sometimes we just need to step off the carousel. The bright lights, the constant motion—these distractions can trick us into thinking the ride is real life. But that never-ending spin isn’t reality. When we step back, we see how modern society feeds us chaos and angst, tempting us to doom-scroll our way through the day instead of embracing the harmony this planet naturally provides.

This morning, I woke up in Southern Leyte, Philippines, greeted by a super low tide. I wandered out to the shallows with a friend to gather our breakfast—fresh sea urchin and lokot (a local seaweed). We walked along the shore, breathing in the ocean air and just talking, fully immersed in the moment. Yesterday, I rode a motorcycle through the island mountains, soaking in breathtaking views that remind me how these experiences shouldn’t be rare interruptions from “real life,” like a prisoner’s 20 minutes in the yard.

Instead, they need to be the norm. This is my third time in less than a year visiting Southern Leyte, often working remotely. I’m fortunate that I can do that, but even if I couldn’t, I’d still need to check in with my own happiness. If I’m not happy with how I’m living, I’m the only one who can change it—cutting the invisible cords tying me to the grind and choosing to step off the carousel for good.

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Mike D. is the founder of Sail Junky Magazine. Striving to find more purpose in life, Mike writes and shares about his journey to rediscover his passion for living a fulfilled life, especially through the medium of sailing. mike@sailjunky.com