I feel stuck in my current state, or in other words, buried in life.
I am 21 years old, working as a store manager for a big coffee chain. Overall, I live a nice life, have a good apartment, a nice car, a girlfriend, and a cat.
A life that many would dream of, but I hate it for some reason. Despite having everything I have ever wanted or at least thought I did, I'm longing for more. I don’t find true purpose and enjoyment in my job, it pays very well for my area and age to the point where it feels almost impossible to leave. I feel like I am barely scraping by. I have dreams of owning a house, finding a job that gives me true purpose, and living a meaningful life but after 5 years of the same day-to-day life, I am burnt out, tired and depressed. Every day seems like a constant fight and belonging for more.
For everyone familiar with "The Buried Life" which was a show from around 2010 that I fell in love with, which perfectly describes my passion and desire to chase my dreams, no matter the cost. I remember coming home from school and fanaticizing that my life may one day look like that. I would spend hours on end, watching youtube, researching travel destinations, making plans of what I would do when I turned 18, the places I would see, and the dreams that I would hold onto.
18 came very quickly, and even though the passion was still there, the dreams seemed to move further and further away to the point where I didn't know how to make them happen. One thing leads to another which leads to another and all of a sudden, 4 years have passed and if you are anything like me, I feel as lost and hopeless about my future as ever before. I refuse to settle. The thought of maintaining my current lifestyle and living without accomplishing my dreams, desires, and goals, absolutely terrifies me.
My life has been filled with a lot of uncertainty, being undecided on a career and never truly knowing what my place is in the world, but the one certainty is my extreme desire to travel the world. My love and passion for travel sprouted at a young age, Disney trips, Cruises, and vacations were the norm in the early years of my life.
While writing this, I don’t know what my future will look like, but this is the year I have promised myself change and change is what I will chase. I have had some ideas of saving money to launch businesses or maybe buying and converting a van to move out of my apartment and travel.
We all have a starting point, we all need to go through discovery phases and find ourselves and our pathway. This is my starting point, The place where My journey begins, and although it most likely will be extremely difficult it is a change that I know I want and need.
I write this because I know many are living with the same thoughts, desires, and feelings. I hope this inspires change.
I'm not sure what my next steps will look like, but in the words of Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Although my path may not be clear, I have decided it is time to take my first steps. Who knows what they may be? But every step leads somewhere and I will be writing my experiences to share with you here.
See you next time!
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"We're all Happy Here"
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By Patrick Wade4 years ago in Fiction
Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 9 hours ago in Humans
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