Dispatches from the edge of what’s next

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." – Annie Dillard

For years, I struggled with the idea of traditional work. 

The 9-to-5 grind never seemed to align with the kind of life I wanted, a life where freedom, creativity, and personal growth were central to everything I did.

When I was in my 20s, I read three books that fundamentally reshaped the way I thought about how we choose to spend our time: Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, and Your Money or Your Life by Joseph R. Dominguez and Vicki Robin. 

These writers challenged me to question the status quo and reevaluate what meaningful work could look like. They helped me see that fulfillment doesn’t always come from climbing corporate ladders or following predefined goals, but from building a life rooted in purpose and passion.

Their ideas planted the seed of possibility, showing me that it was okay ― even necessary ― to carve out a path that wasn’t conventional if I wanted to live in an authentic, fulfilling way.

I’ve leaned into these ideas over the years, balancing part-time roles and freelance gigs with long-term travel while prioritizing time freedom. But the dream of starting a business and earning a living solely from my creative work has always been there, and now, I finally feel ready to make it happen.

Thinking out loud (on purpose)

As I step more fully into this next chapter, I’ve been reflecting on the broader shifts happening in our society. The way we work is changing. Traditional jobs and business models are no longer the only paths to success. Instead, we’re seeing a shift toward independent digital work and the creator economy.

More and more of us are embracing the flexibility and autonomy of being freelancers, creators, and solopreneurs. We now have the power to forge our own paths, whether it’s through content creation, offering niche services, or starting a one-person business.

But for many Gen X creatives, the shift toward independent work isn’t optional. Traditional creative roles are disappearing, increasingly replaced by automation or absorbed into algorithm-driven platforms.

Faced with fewer conventional opportunities, we're adapting to survive, to stay relevant, and to keep creating in a world where AI is rapidly reshaping traditional jobs.

This evolution is at the heart of Higher Trail.

Social media, for all its power to connect and inspire, often moves too fast, prioritizing quick takes and fleeting moments over real reflection. Here, I want to explore the ideas that matter, free from the constant churn of algorithms and the race for engagement.

This blog will focus on three core areas that drive my curiosity and fuel my creativity:

👉 WORKLIFE

Worklife is all about empowering creators and solopreneurs to thrive in today’s evolving work landscape. With AI as an ally, not a replacement, solopreneurs have the ability to work smarter, unlock creativity, and build ventures that reflect their values.

But this shift isn’t just about quitting your job or becoming your own boss. It’s about embracing a mindset that prioritizes autonomy, creativity, and connection.

It’s about doing work that aligns with who we are and what we value most.

By stepping away from the constraints of conventional employment, we unlock the freedom to be more creative, the chance to directly impact a niche market, and the ability to build something sustainable on our own terms.

The future belongs to those willing to adapt, innovate, and lean into what’s possible.

👉 TRAILS

Trails celebrates Pennsylvania’s breathtaking landscapes with scenic hikes and outdoor adventures. From peaceful forested paths to adrenaline-pumping ridge runs, this pillar highlights PA’s diverse trail offerings, bringing them to life through immersive storytelling and creative content formats.

Ultrarunning has started to take up more space in my life, not just as a personal challenge, but as a gateway into a tight-knit, inspiring community.

I want to use this space to explore what it takes to get started, what makes these events so magnetic, and how newcomers can find their place at a local race or group run.

Whether you’re an experienced ultrarunner or just curious about this corner of the outdoor world, there’s something special about the rhythm of moving through nature on foot, and the people who show up to do it together.

This is where passion, place, and community meet and I’m excited to keep exploring it.

👉 PROFILES

Profiles will spotlight local creators, solopreneurs, and bold thinkers who are forging their own paths. These are people who’ve taken the leap ― trading predictability for purpose ― and built ventures rooted in passion, skill, and personal values.

Together, we’ll explore the diverse paths one-person businesses can take, from niche content creators to small business owners and everything in between. And who knows… some of these conversations might even make their way onto a podcast soon.

These stories will serve as inspiration for anyone wanting to pursue a similar path, showing that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional blueprint. Instead, it’s fueled by clarity, creativity, and the courage to build something that’s entirely your own.

Through these themes of Worklife, Trails, and Profiles, I’ll explore the intersection of two growing trends: the booming interest in outdoor recreation and the rise of one-person businesses ― and what it means to build a life at the crossroads of both.

Work, wild & free

But what does it really mean to build something meaningful on your own terms? For solo creators, the answer lies in the steps we take and the freedom we claim along the way.

Being a solo creator means forging a path that’s entirely your own, and with each step, you’re building something that reflects your values, vision, and voice.

The path won’t always be smooth, especially for those of us who didn’t grow up in this digital-first world. For Gen X creatives, this era demands reinvention. Many of the traditional roles we trained for have disappeared or been reshaped by AI, leaving us to carve out entirely new lanes.

But that’s also where the opportunity lies.

We’re not just adapting to change, we’re actively reshaping the future of work. And for those of us blending purpose, creativity, and a love for the outdoors, the future of work looks wild and free.

That’s all for this one.

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TLDR: Work is evolving ― carve a path that fits your life, not the system.