The North American Dream is Broken. Let's Try This Instead.
The old path to success is failing us. It’s time to break free, redefine your values, and rethink what freedom, connection, and happiness really mean to you.
Let’s be honest: the North American dream we were sold is broken. Work hard, buy a house, raise a family, retire comfortably—that was the promise, a straightforward recipe for stability and happiness.
Follow the steps, and life will reward you with security, satisfaction, and the occasional vacation where you can saddle up to the buffet three times a day and drown your dread of returning to reality in watered-down cocktails by the pool.
Today, that American Dream feels more like a cruel joke.
For those of us who didn’t hit that sweet spot of timing, opportunity, and great luck, the reality looks very different. Housing prices are out of reach, jobs are unstable, and retirement is less a guarantee than a gamble.
This isn’t the dream we were promised. For many, it’s a waking nightmare; an exhausting loop of working to survive rather than truly living.
The Broken Pillars of the North American Dream
Housing: A Mirage for Many - In Canada, owning a home has become a far-fetched fantasy for most. With average prices nearing $700,000 and climbing interest rates, even those who managed to buy are often trapped in a financial grind. For the rest of us, the dream of home ownership feels like chasing a mirage.
Inflation: The Silent Thief - Groceries, rent, utilities—everything costs more. Inflation is hovering around 3%, but essentials like food are rising at double that pace or greater. We spent over $1200 last month on groceries for a family of four in Canada, and I cook almost everything at home. We’re not eating lobster here! (But record profits for the grocery store corps… cool cool 🖕). Keeping a budget feels less like a strategy and more like a survival skill.
Transportation: A Costly Necessity - For anyone living outside major cities, owning a car isn’t optional—it’s essential. Public transit is unreliable, and the monthly cost of maintaining a vehicle—payments, gas, insurance, maintenance, snow tires—can easily top $1,000. It’s another weight pulling us down in a system designed for survival, not simplicity.
The Big Question, Then: Why Are We Sticking to This Script?
When the old dream no longer fits, why do so many keep clinging to it?
Maybe it’s because we’ve been told for so long that this is the only respectable way to live. That a house with a postage stamp-sized lawn is the pinnacle of achievement. That stability and happiness come from grinding through decades of work to enjoy a fleeting moment of comfort at the end.
Sure, it might still serve the lucky few who got in on the ground floor—those sitting comfortably on retirement portfolios padded by skyrocketing housing prices. But for the rest of us? It feels like a cruel setup: an expectation to follow a path that no longer exists, only to carry the weight of guilt and failure when we can’t keep up.
Let’s face it: this isn’t just about individuals struggling to make ends meet—it’s a system designed to keep us chasing something that’s fundamentally out of reach. And the sooner we acknowledge that, the sooner we can free ourselves to live lives that feel authentic and meaningful.
What Does Living Differently Look Like?
1. Redefining Success
Success has been sold as a package deal: a steady career, a house in the suburbs, a shiny car in the driveway. But what happens when you start unpacking those expectations and realize they don’t fit who you are? Redefining success is about stepping off the conveyor belt and choosing what truly fulfills you.
For some, that might look like downsizing to a tiny home nestled in nature or traveling full-time in a converted van. For others, it’s choosing a minimalist lifestyle that leaves room for spontaneity and exploration. Living differently doesn’t have to mean selling all your belongings or traveling full-time. It’s about making intentional choices that align with your values—whether that’s creating a cozy home base or embracing a simpler lifestyle right where you are.
Imagine the freedom of being debt-free, knowing your time and energy are going toward things that align with your values instead of a hefty mortgage or climbing the corporate ladder just because you’re “supposed to.” Maybe success is simply designing a life where you can prioritize what matters most—whether that’s family, creativity, travel, or just having the freedom to breathe. Sounds crazy, right?
2. Embracing Mobility
Why tie yourself to one location, especially if it doesn’t serve you? Living differently might mean becoming a digital nomad, working remotely from anywhere in the world, or relocating to a country where the cost of living allows you to thrive. Flexibility isn’t just practical—it’s empowering.
That said, I’d be lying if I said I don’t still feel the occasional pang of jealousy or yearning for a “forever home.” There’s a certain comfort in the idea of roots, a place to call your own.
But I’ve come to realize that for me—and for many others—mobility brings its own kind of security. It’s the freedom to adapt, to explore, and to build a life that isn’t confined by four walls or a single zip code.
3. Rethinking Community
There’s a misconception that choosing an unconventional lifestyle or leaving the confines of geographical community means sacrificing connection. But in reality, living differently often means finding deeper connections with people who share your values.
Look at co-housing, for example, where groups of friends or like-minded individuals share living spaces, resources, and responsibilities. It’s not just about saving money on rent; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging in a world where isolation can feel all too common.
And for those who embrace mobility, digital nomad networks are a game changer. These networks aren’t just about swapping travel tips or co-working spaces; they’re about building a tribe of people who understand the joys and challenges of stepping off the hamster wheel and choosing something different.
4. Prioritizing Happiness Now
My father gave everything he had to his work for 40-some years, believing he’d finally enjoy life once he retired. But just before he reached that milestone, just as he was getting his home and farm set up the way he wanted, he passed away. It was heartbreaking—and it completely changed how I think about happiness and time.
Living differently means not putting off joy for “someday.” It’s about making space for the things that matter now. We often treat happiness like it’s a reward for hard work, something we’ll get to later. But life isn’t waiting for us to catch up.
“Someday” isn’t guaranteed, and the time to start living isn’t in the distant future—it’s today. Your life is happening right now, and today isn’t just another thing to suffer through. Our best moments aren’t something to delay until that glorious retirement dream that may never come.
Take One Step Today
Imagine a life where you didn’t feel pressured to “keep up.” What’s one small shift you can make to start reclaiming your freedom? And let’s be clear: I’m not telling you the only path to happiness is packing up and living out of a suitcase. It’s about designing a life that fits you, whether that’s settling into a supportive community, pursuing passions, or simply choosing joy over convention.
The North American dream may be broken, but we don’t have to be. We can rethink success, embrace mobility, and prioritize joy today. We can write our own rules—all of these things are within our power.
So what’s your dream? How are you living differently? Share your story below—I’d love to hear how you’re redefining life on your terms!