This strikes me as a very honest and written straight from the heart story. About to become 74 soon, I learned only very recently that it’s never too late to “start a new life”. Just to tell you that this is where my deep respect for your experience comes from…
Having purpose is so important. There was a time in my life I lacked purpose- it didn’t get quite as bad as you, but it got quite bad.
Being purposeful now determines so many of the decisions I make in my life - Big respect for talking so honestly about this Finn, as at least for me it is not easy.
Looking forward to reading the subsequent parts to your personal journey! I can somewhat relate in that I moved out of NYC about two years ago, after living there for over a decade, back to my parents’ place in the Hudson Valley because the city was not the right environment for my mental health. I needed that connection to Nature. It was soul sucking being surrounded by the constant bustle of the city, especially in NYC which has become a theme park for the sake of social media. I do miss the resources of the city, like being able to walk anywhere and the subway, but it feels like the major cities have lost the plot.
And as a fellow architect, it’s extremely difficult to work on these projects that do very little to mitigate the changing climate. It’s something engrained in us throughout schooling and a moral guideline of the profession. I do hope you find your purpose and inspiration again!
I know the feeling…that is why I never wanted to live in NYC and always lived on Long Island even as a single person which nobody could understand…but the quiet life, nature, beaches, parks and a full home for a price you couldn’t get anything for in NYC… makes for a happier life…I still need to feed myself with the city energy so I visit “as a tourist” on weekends or evenings, it’s the perfect balance…I still miss the French village/small town lifestyle which I think is healthier as you get to walk everywhere you need to go🩶
I’m part of the first generation of kids that followed “YouTubers” that attended Vidcon in 2010 and really immersed ourselves in the lives of those that put theirs online.
It was an interesting teenage experience because the world’s possibilities felt so big, if only you had a camera and filmed yourself to put it on the internet. Ultimately, that path was not for me. 15 years later, I’m a photographer from a Northern California mountain town living in Los Angeles, feeling many of the same disconnects to my environment. On one hand, I love the city and the opportunity, but on the other I’m constantly yearning to pick up my life and “move to a farm.” The climate crisis has always felt like my corner of activism, like this impending downturn that we’re actually currently living and the powers that be don’t seem to care. I am not alone, this is the dream of moving on, living slowly, intentionally, more sustainably and in touch with our endorsement is shared by many of my peers.
It’s even more interesting to read a similar experience through your eyes. Excited to read more, great piece Finn.
“I felt lonelier in a city surrounded by people than I did when I was in Nature by myself.”
I resonate with this so much since moving from a bustling city to a place where I can see the sea from my bedroom. There’s something so healing about nature and I wish more people realised this. I’ve been following yours and Jack’s work since the JacksGap days and it’s so refreshing to see you making a real difference to the world and finding a deeper meaning to life (which a lot of people with your level of success from YouTube can’t say.) Good luck with the writing, looking forward to the next part!
Loving the honesty. I relate to this in some ways - escaping a small Mediterranean island for cities never gave me the meaning I was looking for. Though it did give me momentum and aided my career, which is one part of my purpose. These days I’m seeking the balance between the city (Paris, which feels more balanced than most, to me) and the countryside.
Hello Finn! I’ve been following your work for years🍃 it’s a pleasure to read your journey in words… it makes so much difference!
I can’t wait to see what your journey here, with all of us and with whatever the future may bring you and the amazing things and adventures you are going to be living (I’m sure of that) . For sure, stop for a second and tell us all about it ✨
About the piece… I can so relate to it… that’s where I am now, trying to find a new journey that also takes in my values and passions for environmentalism and conservation… it can be so hard, specially now in the world we live in.
Success can mean so very different things for so many different people.
Thank you Finn, for this deep and honest report. I also feel distressed and somewhat disconnected from our centuries culture of excessive media, full soulless urbanization and lack of community. But I believe that, if we keep ourselves hopeful, we may find our place to be happy. Or build it from scratch with whoever wants to come along. Hello from a latin american girl!
I’m so hooked! I was born in London and still live here but have travelled a bit and have asked myself where I’d wanna live in the future. The answer is definitely not London, for a number of reasons, but I have no idea where it would be.
I look forward to reading more :)
Oh and my younger sister was obsessed with that YouTube channel! It’s cool to see you on here.
I was one of those who watched your videos on YT back in the "golden" days. Now I'm a 30 year old wondering the same issues as you now 🙏 excited to read more
Thank you for sharing your story! I think I relate to that on so many levels… I too have moved from one small city to another bigger urban city with hopes and dreams of finding purpose only to be disappointed by the reality of life. I’m still trying to find my purpose and appreciate your sharing your story with me!
Awesome - I followed JacksGap as a teenager. I’m a 30 year old enviro science fiend now. When I finish my enviro masters next year, I’ll be taking a year off paid work to work on permaculture properties and suss out what’s next. I’m so looking forward to following what you do next as I dig my own hand into the soil.
This strikes me as a very honest and written straight from the heart story. About to become 74 soon, I learned only very recently that it’s never too late to “start a new life”. Just to tell you that this is where my deep respect for your experience comes from…
Thanks Eli. Good luck on the next chapter of your journey!
It’s amazing how open you can be about this.
Having purpose is so important. There was a time in my life I lacked purpose- it didn’t get quite as bad as you, but it got quite bad.
Being purposeful now determines so many of the decisions I make in my life - Big respect for talking so honestly about this Finn, as at least for me it is not easy.
Thanks Will.
Looking forward to reading the subsequent parts to your personal journey! I can somewhat relate in that I moved out of NYC about two years ago, after living there for over a decade, back to my parents’ place in the Hudson Valley because the city was not the right environment for my mental health. I needed that connection to Nature. It was soul sucking being surrounded by the constant bustle of the city, especially in NYC which has become a theme park for the sake of social media. I do miss the resources of the city, like being able to walk anywhere and the subway, but it feels like the major cities have lost the plot.
And as a fellow architect, it’s extremely difficult to work on these projects that do very little to mitigate the changing climate. It’s something engrained in us throughout schooling and a moral guideline of the profession. I do hope you find your purpose and inspiration again!
I know the feeling…that is why I never wanted to live in NYC and always lived on Long Island even as a single person which nobody could understand…but the quiet life, nature, beaches, parks and a full home for a price you couldn’t get anything for in NYC… makes for a happier life…I still need to feed myself with the city energy so I visit “as a tourist” on weekends or evenings, it’s the perfect balance…I still miss the French village/small town lifestyle which I think is healthier as you get to walk everywhere you need to go🩶
I’m part of the first generation of kids that followed “YouTubers” that attended Vidcon in 2010 and really immersed ourselves in the lives of those that put theirs online.
It was an interesting teenage experience because the world’s possibilities felt so big, if only you had a camera and filmed yourself to put it on the internet. Ultimately, that path was not for me. 15 years later, I’m a photographer from a Northern California mountain town living in Los Angeles, feeling many of the same disconnects to my environment. On one hand, I love the city and the opportunity, but on the other I’m constantly yearning to pick up my life and “move to a farm.” The climate crisis has always felt like my corner of activism, like this impending downturn that we’re actually currently living and the powers that be don’t seem to care. I am not alone, this is the dream of moving on, living slowly, intentionally, more sustainably and in touch with our endorsement is shared by many of my peers.
It’s even more interesting to read a similar experience through your eyes. Excited to read more, great piece Finn.
“I felt lonelier in a city surrounded by people than I did when I was in Nature by myself.”
I resonate with this so much since moving from a bustling city to a place where I can see the sea from my bedroom. There’s something so healing about nature and I wish more people realised this. I’ve been following yours and Jack’s work since the JacksGap days and it’s so refreshing to see you making a real difference to the world and finding a deeper meaning to life (which a lot of people with your level of success from YouTube can’t say.) Good luck with the writing, looking forward to the next part!
I appreciate reading your story and thinking about my own. Sometimes we have to step into the wrong places to find the right ones.
Loving the honesty. I relate to this in some ways - escaping a small Mediterranean island for cities never gave me the meaning I was looking for. Though it did give me momentum and aided my career, which is one part of my purpose. These days I’m seeking the balance between the city (Paris, which feels more balanced than most, to me) and the countryside.
Can’t wait to read more!
Hello Finn! I’ve been following your work for years🍃 it’s a pleasure to read your journey in words… it makes so much difference!
I can’t wait to see what your journey here, with all of us and with whatever the future may bring you and the amazing things and adventures you are going to be living (I’m sure of that) . For sure, stop for a second and tell us all about it ✨
About the piece… I can so relate to it… that’s where I am now, trying to find a new journey that also takes in my values and passions for environmentalism and conservation… it can be so hard, specially now in the world we live in.
Success can mean so very different things for so many different people.
Anyhow, thank you for your words and story. 🍃
Beautifully written!!
Thank you Finn, for this deep and honest report. I also feel distressed and somewhat disconnected from our centuries culture of excessive media, full soulless urbanization and lack of community. But I believe that, if we keep ourselves hopeful, we may find our place to be happy. Or build it from scratch with whoever wants to come along. Hello from a latin american girl!
I’m so hooked! I was born in London and still live here but have travelled a bit and have asked myself where I’d wanna live in the future. The answer is definitely not London, for a number of reasons, but I have no idea where it would be.
I look forward to reading more :)
Oh and my younger sister was obsessed with that YouTube channel! It’s cool to see you on here.
I was one of those who watched your videos on YT back in the "golden" days. Now I'm a 30 year old wondering the same issues as you now 🙏 excited to read more
Thank you for sharing your story! I think I relate to that on so many levels… I too have moved from one small city to another bigger urban city with hopes and dreams of finding purpose only to be disappointed by the reality of life. I’m still trying to find my purpose and appreciate your sharing your story with me!
Love this Finn! Glad our journeys crossed in New York.
Awesome - I followed JacksGap as a teenager. I’m a 30 year old enviro science fiend now. When I finish my enviro masters next year, I’ll be taking a year off paid work to work on permaculture properties and suss out what’s next. I’m so looking forward to following what you do next as I dig my own hand into the soil.