60 Seconds to FIRE Newsletter 22
Find Your Purpose, Boost Your Happiness, and Finally Ask: What Actually Makes Me Want to Get Out of Bed?
Hey Geo Arbiters!
September is already here and that means that, shockingly, there are only three months of the year left. How has your 2025 been so far? Are you where you want to be financially? How’s your career? Family doing okay? Or a question that I have been wrestling with lately: how happy are you in general? You may have noticed that I have been writing a lot lately about purpose, happiness, and balance. It’s something that we, as early retirees and aspiring ones, need to spend time pondering. This month’s book review is going to be on the same theme: Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.
I picked this audiobook and I was curious, expecting some vague life advice about ‘happiness’ or ‘purpose.’ Instead, I found a beautifully simple, practical guide written in a warm, approachable style that makes complex ideas feel totally doable. The authors have a way of blending Japanese wisdom with everyday humour and examples that make you nod, laugh, and occasionally go, ‘Ah, that actually makes sense.’
The biggest lesson? Happiness doesn’t come from chasing it directly - it comes from purpose. My FIRE journey isn’t just about escaping work or maximising returns; it’s about building a life that feels meaningful, even in small moments, like walking my future 48 Bernese Mountain Dogs at 10am without notifications buzzing.
Top three actionable takeaways:
Combine what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. That’s your Ikigai - the sweet spot that makes work and life feel worthwhile. Example: You love teaching people about money, you’re good at explaining complex concepts simply, the world needs accessible financial education, and you can get paid by running an online course or newsletter. Boom — that’s your Ikigai in action.
Build small daily habits around purpose. Tiny, consistent actions matter more than waiting for a big life-changing moment.
Example: Want to write a book? Instead of waiting for a free week or “the perfect moment,” commit to writing 200 words every morning before breakfast. Tiny, consistent steps add up.
Reflect regularly on why you do what you do. Pause, ask yourself the hard questions, and align your actions with what really matters, not just what’s convenient or expected.
Example: Before spending hours on work or social media, pause and ask: “Does this move me closer to what really matters?” That way, you spend time on what aligns with your purpose, not just what’s convenient.
My journal has been a companion for years now and helps me to reflect daily.
Bonus tip just for you:
Avoid activities, commitments, habits, or PEOPLE that don’t contribute to your sense of meaning, happiness, or personal growth. Now, it doesn’t specifically say that you should cut people from your circle who are dragging you down, but I AM! Seriously, if the people around you aren’t making you feel happy, loved, inspired, or reminding you of your purpose… drop that anchor and cut that dead weight.
Example: You’ve got a friend who constantly complains or sucks your energy to the point where when you leave them you need a lay down and a snickers bar to feel joy again. Instead of investing energy in that negativity, politely distance yourself from that dementor and focus on relationships that inspire and lift you up! I want to be surrounded by people who make who move me to take more action.
For those not picking up my sweet Harry Potter reference.
The writing style is a big part of why this book works. It’s concise, friendly, and full of little anecdotes that make the philosophy feel achievable, not intimidating. If you’re working on side hustles, building freedom, or just trying to stop feeling like a hamster on a wheel, this book will make you pause, laugh, and think about why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Ikigai isn’t just philosophy - it’s a roadmap to living a life that matters, in small, consistent, slightly quirky ways. Read it. Reflect. And maybe finally ask yourself the question you’ve been avoiding: What actually makes me want to get out of bed?
Cheers,
Andy
Valencia
A walk in nature, a park or just being around trees helps me to think better. Try it!
🎯 Want the freedom to think, travel, and live life on your terms? I trade options to generate consistent 2–4% monthly returns — it’s how I retired at 35 and now enjoy life in Spain. The September course sold out in under 48 hours, and October is already almost full! Reply with your email + “COURSE” to secure your spot before it’s gone.
