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Adventures in Opting Out
A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life
Description
Opt out of expectations and live a more intentional life with this refreshing guide from the national bestselling author of The Year of Less.
We all follow our own path in life. At least, that’s what we’re told. In reality, many of us either do what is expected of us, or follow the invisible but well-worn paths that lead to what is culturally acceptable. For some, those paths are fine — even great. But they leave some of us feeling disconnected from ourselves and what we really want. When that discomfort finally outweighs the fear of trying something new, we’re ready to opt out.
After going through this process many times, Cait Flanders found there is an incredible parallel between taking a different path in life and the psychological work it takes to summit a mountain — especially when you decide to go solo. In Adventures in Opting Out, she offers a trail map to help you with both. As you’ll see, reaching the first viewpoint can be easy — and it offers a glimpse of what you’re walking toward. Climbing to the summit for the full view is worth it. But in the space between those two peaks you will enter a world completely unknown to you, and that is the most difficult part of the path to navigate.
With Flanders’s guidance and advice, drawn from her own journey and stories of others, you’ll have all the encouragement and insight you’ll need to take the path less traveled and create the life you want. Just step up to the trailhead and expect it to be an adventure.
We all follow our own path in life. At least, that’s what we’re told. In reality, many of us either do what is expected of us, or follow the invisible but well-worn paths that lead to what is culturally acceptable. For some, those paths are fine — even great. But they leave some of us feeling disconnected from ourselves and what we really want. When that discomfort finally outweighs the fear of trying something new, we’re ready to opt out.
After going through this process many times, Cait Flanders found there is an incredible parallel between taking a different path in life and the psychological work it takes to summit a mountain — especially when you decide to go solo. In Adventures in Opting Out, she offers a trail map to help you with both. As you’ll see, reaching the first viewpoint can be easy — and it offers a glimpse of what you’re walking toward. Climbing to the summit for the full view is worth it. But in the space between those two peaks you will enter a world completely unknown to you, and that is the most difficult part of the path to navigate.
With Flanders’s guidance and advice, drawn from her own journey and stories of others, you’ll have all the encouragement and insight you’ll need to take the path less traveled and create the life you want. Just step up to the trailhead and expect it to be an adventure.
Praise
“Opting out isn’t about taking huge risks or being perfect in how you navigate new trails in your life. Cait Flanders's book isn’t a simple how-to full of hacks and tips, it’s more like having a helpful fellow traveler on your journey, one who gently shows you how to critically examine which new paths may be worth exploring. Do yourself a favor and don’t opt out of reading this book.”
—Paul Jarvis, author of Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
"Through stories and metaphors, Cait Flanders will show you how to opt into an intentional life. The prose reads like a long letter from a good friend. The book is unique and full of wisdom. I highly recommend Adventures in Opting Out!"
—Tammy Strobel, author of You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)
“I emerged from Adventures in Opting Out feeling courageous. In these pages, Cait Flanders does more than simply inspire us to live with more depth and authenticity. She gives us rare, practical guidance on reaching beyond outworn cultural norms to discover—and to follow—the adventure that is ours alone to create.”
—Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Mozart's Starling
"I always feel better after I read Cait Flanders; there’s something about her mix of practicality and truth-telling that both soothes and inspires me...A sturdy and flexible framework to navigate whatever path you are currently on."
—Mary Jo, Powell's
"Refreshingly blunt and entirely free from feel-good platitudes….Whether you're in need of a life change these days or not, it's helpful to read words of guidance from someone who works so hard to practice what she preaches about simple, frugal, and intentional living."
—Katherine Martinko, Treehugger
