MattBuildsFreedom

I've recently changed jobs. Not in a dramatic, burn-the-bridges kind of way. More in the quiet, unsettling way where the decision makes sense on paper, but your emotions lag behind. It wasn’t an easy call. I had to weigh everything: pay, trajectory, work–life balance, identity, the social side. And because it wasn’t easy, my mind keeps inviting doubt back in. Any crack in the logic, any nostalgic...

27th May 2025 — It’s been a while since I wrote one of these. Funny how writing is always the thing I know helps me most… and yet, it’s the first thing to go quiet when life feels heavier. This is me getting back to it. And maybe, in doing so, reminding myself why I started in the first place. The other day, I caught myself caring way too much about something at work. Like, properly overthinking i...

I decided to do something a little different here and write a poem - and I hope you like it! Don't forget that if you like my writing, and you want to support me, you can subscribe for free below. A corporate company is like a massive ship, steady, slow to turn, but built to weather storms. You’re part of the crew, keeping things running, but the course is set by hands you’ll never see. Over time,...

If you like my writing feel free to pledge your support by subscribing below! I think we’ve all been there: burning the midnight oil, putting in the hours, doing everything right, yet still watching others succeed while we’re stuck. It’s frustrating, right? It’s like you’re giving everything you’ve got, but it’s just not paying off. And then you see people who barely seem to try, and somehow, they...

Thanks for taking the time to be here, right now. If you want more of my writing, feel free to Subscribe! I’ve always struggled with this. The endless weighing up of options, the mental loop of what ifs , the fear that I might not be choosing the best path. Whether it’s big life decisions—career moves, business ideas, where to live—or small things like picking a restaurant, I’ve spent more time th...

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read my writing. The best way to support me right now is to subscribe below! When we think of adventure, we often picture something grand—backpacking through South America, quitting a job to travel the world, or climbing mountains. But what if adventure didn’t have to be extreme? What if the thrill of discovery could be woven into everyday life? This i...

Most people focus on how much they earn. I realised from a young age that how much you keep is what really matters. Lifestyle creep is subtle . You don’t wake up one day and decide to double your expenses - it happens in small, justifiable steps: * A slightly nicer flat because “I deserve it.” * More eating out because “what’s £50 here and there?” * Upgrading things just because you can , not beca...

If you like my writing, feel free to Subscribe. It's free and supports me a bunch! Gaming and the Power of Play Gaming has been a hobby of mine for about 20 years now. If that surprises you, it’s probably because gaming has picked up a bit of a negative reputation over the years. We have this stereotypical image of what a "gamer" looks like, and it’s rarely a flattering one. But if we really think...

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. If you like my writing, feel free to Subscribe. It's free and helps a lot! There’s one fear that grips me more than anything else… The fear of failure. And I know I’m not alone in this. It’s not just about failing at something - it’s about what failure means . Am I not good enough? Am I not worthy enough? For many of us, the fear of failure runs deeper...

Every self-help book, every Instagram post, every piece of well-meaning advice seemed to reinforce the idea that we should be striving for an uninterrupted state of joy. So I chased it. I tried to maintain a constant sense of happiness, as if it were something I could lock into place with enough effort. But then life did what it always does - it reminded me that emotions don’t work that way. One p...

A few years ago, I found myself deeply entrenched in the world of hustle culture . It was a time when I was constantly pushing myself to the limits - inspired by figures like David Goggins and Andy Frisella. The relentless drive and determination was contagious, and I adopted their mindset - believing that outworking everyone else was the ultimate path to success. But over recent years, I began to...

1st Jan 2025: Happy New Year Folks! As 2025 begins, I’m reflecting on how we can start the year with some positivity. 2024 was a good year for me, and today was jam-packed with beautiful walks across South Wales. How did you spend the first day of the year? As we transition back into the work routine after the holiday buzz, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. I’ve been there - dreading the ret...

Trying to think differently using the same thoughts that built your beliefs, is like trying to fix a broken compass by staring harder at the needle. It doesn’t work. That’s because beliefs anchor our perception of the world. Some of them guide us forward, others weigh us down. Here’s the kicker - you don’t have to keep beliefs that don’t serve you. Negative beliefs aren’t sacred truths - they’re j...

Thanks for reading my work, and feel free to subscribe for more! In a world that often wants us to conform—to fit into boxes, to mute our quirks, to follow the "norm"—being unapologetically ourselves can feel like an act of rebellion. But there’s incredible freedom and power in living as your truest self, pursuing your passions wholeheartedly, and owning your individuality. Unapologetic Passion -...

According to a recent study around hybrid work, employees are happier, healthier and more productive when they have a balance between office and Work From Home (WFH) days - with 3 out of every 4 people saying that any permanent return to work would damage their mental health. If you like my posts and want more from me, just Subscribe to The Venturist Newsletter! Mixed Emotions… I’ve had mixed emot...

September 6th 2024 - Hey everyone, hope you’ve had a good week? Needless to say ,the rainy weather has started in the UK. I love listening to the rain while I write, so I appreciate it more than many! The summer holidays are coming to an end and kids are back at school - for many, the grind reconvenes. — By the way, I’m interested to hear what adventures you’ve been on this week, and how things ar...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattventurist.substack.com

Thanks for reading The Venturist Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support m July 17th 2024 - Hello wonderful people and I hope this week has been kind to you! It’s my 1st new post for The Venturist Newsletter, and I’m excited to share some insights today. I’ve been trying my best to conjure up some videos for ‘The Instagram’ - to showcase better what I’m doing, and why it’s...

I recently came across a quote in Ikigai that felt especially timely… I was reading about the resilience of the villagers of Ogimi (Japan) — how they pursue their passion no matter what! They never give up, even when the cards seem stacked up against them, or they face one hurdle after another… Quoting The Last Prayer by Reinholf Niebuhr (a leading quote from the practices of Christianity): “God g...

It's important to not let our ' busy lives ' take away from the things we WANT to be doing... I mean, what is a ' busy life ' if not full of the things that provide us value, happiness, makes us come alive...? Yes we have responsibilities we can't ignore - perhaps going to work and making sure we pay the bills on time... But remind yourself what it's all for... For many of us it’s quite simple - w...

In life, it's tempting to follow the well-trodden path laid out by others. Whether it’s the expectations of our parents, the norms dictated by society, or the career trajectories set by our peers, there’s a certain comfort in conformity. Yet, deep down, we often sense that this prescribed path may not lead to true fulfillment. It’s when we dare to forge our own unique journey that we discover the...

Are you growing the social media profile that you’ve had since a young age? Are you still linked with old classmates from school? You might feel anxious about your friends, family, or even the neighbour’s dog ‘following’ your account and seeing everything you’re getting up to. I know what it’s like — it’s something I’ve struggled with in the past… And part of the ‘ letting go ’ of this anxiety nat...

I’m an absolute sucker for self development content — I spent YEARS in “analysis paralysis”, consuming content over and over thinking that at some moment I’ll have so much knowledge that “all will become clear”… The thing is, you do make progress when you take in information — when you consume information via a video, podcast or book… But I can say that the progress you make solely doing this, is...

Ernest Hemingway is one of the most famous American writers of the last century… His quote “ In order to write about life you must first live it ” , emphasises the profound connection between lived experiences and the art of storytelling and creative expression… It underscores the idea that to authentically depict life in one’s writing, one must actively engage in life’s experiences and emotions…...