Modern Flanerie is a life philosophy that slows things down just enough to help question the status quo, discover what you really want out of life, and design a life you love.

Popularized by 19th century french poet Charles Baudelaire, the flaneur became a symbol of resistance to the industrial revolution - a wanderer, free-thinker, and seeker of transcendence who casually observed modern society.

Flanerie represents our enduring humanity, our sense of wonder, and our ability to think independently in a factory system defined by busyness, strict schedules and incessant productivity.

Over time we have normalized busyness into a way of being. Many of us spend a lifetime distracted, consumed with stress and anxiety, and unfulfilled. We are in endless pursuit of milestones, goals, and increased productivity to achieve a dream many of us are no longer convinced we want.

I've spent most of my professional life as a change-agent, problem solver, and developer of people. I enjoyed my career, but for too long I was so busy chasing goals and taking care of others that I struggled to find the space to think my own thoughts and ponder what I wanted, let alone discover and cultivate my life's purpose.

In a moment of lucidity (or perhaps desperation) I joined the ranks of the early retirement movement. For nearly a decade my husband and I made a dedicated effort to increase our income, pay off debt, and save over half of our household income to sock away a nice, warm security blanket so I could quit my job in 2018.

I now spend my days living a life I love, pondering all the things I once tucked away.

I'm sharing what I've learned to help others cultivate their best lives. It's as much a loving reminder to myself as it is a message of hope to others.