Why I Started Yachting

A year ago, I made a life-changing decision: I traded my comfortable, stable desk job for an unpredictable, adventurous life at sea.

I can honestly say, I haven’t looked back once.

It’s clear to me in hindsight that I’ve always been a buoy in a world designed for anchors. Anchors are steady and grounded—they succeed on stability, predictability, and remaining grounded in one spot. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just not who I am.

Trying to fit into a world built for anchors left me feeling heavy and out of place, like I was carrying the weight of expectations that weren’t truly mine. The idea of a 9-to-5 desk job never resonated with me. I craved freedom, adventure, and the thrill of the open water. And after just one year of attempting to live the “traditional” post-college life, I realized I couldn’t bear the thought of spending my 20s tied down to a desk. Not yet at least.

I yearned for the life of a buoy—to float, to explore, and to see where the ocean could take me.

Despite my parents’ initial concerns and their hopes that I’d put my college degree to “proper use,” I decided to cut the line grounding me to the bottom and set off on my own path.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned this past year, it’s that in life, you don’t have to be an anchor if you’re meant to be a buoy. And if you’re someone who’s felt that same pull toward something unconventional, here’s what I want you to know:

1. Follow your heart and do what makes YOU happy. Your happiness is essential, as long as you’re living as a good person in the process. Why spend your precious time on this planet anchored to something that doesn’t fulfill you? Life is short, and it’s meant to be lived fully

   
   

2. It’s never too late. Listen to your callings, embrace your inner buoy and float toward it. I’ve seen it firsthand: the first mate on my first yacht was 59 years old, and it was his first job in yachting. Van Gogh, one of the most well known Impressionist painters didn’t even start painting until he was 27. My own dad picked up the bass guitar at 45 and joined a band.

   
   

3. Trying new things has a way of making life richer, fuller, and more exciting. Take up a hobby, learn something new, or ask your friends to share their passions with you. This will add more depth and meaning to life.

   
   

So if you’re feeling stuck, unsatisfied, or out of place, remember this: not everyone is meant to be an anchor. Some of us are born to be buoys, to float in freedom, and to explore uncharted waters. It’s never too late to set yourself free and let the tide carry you to the life you’ve always dreamed of.