Travel Beyond Borders, Discover Within: The True Wealth of Sustainable Living
Traveling isn’t just about discovering new destinations—it’s about discovering new dimensions of yourself.
In my journey as a financial coach, I’ve met many people chasing wealth as a number on a screen. But true wealth is not just accumulation. It’s awareness—of how we spend our time, energy, money, and ultimately, how we live in this world.
My recent travels reminded me of this truth in the most vivid ways.
Awaji Island – Self-Sufficiency in Practice
Awaji, a self-sufficient island in Japan, was more than just scenic beauty. It was a living classroom.
We had the joy of reconnecting with our friend, Sayaka, who moved there a year ago. Her hospitality was rooted in the richness of the land—she brought us fresh fish, rice, and vegetables straight from local farms. We picked up Awaji’s famous Wagyu beef from a nearby butcher farm and had a BBQ unlike any other—nourishing, real, and connected to the source. It was a reminder: when you live in sync with your surroundings, you naturally live more consciously.
This is not just sustainability; it’s sufficiency—something the modern world often overlooks.
Kamikatsu – A Zero-Waste Vision
In Kamikatsu, a small town in Shikoku, I witnessed a community that’s redefined what waste means. Residents sort their waste into 45 categories, reuse creatively, and compost religiously. Trash here isn’t just garbage—it’s a reflection of human impact.
This visit made me reflect on how much we’ve normalized waste in our lives—not just physical waste, but waste of time, talent, attention, and purpose. Modern marketing has taught us to consume endlessly, but places like Kamikatsu teach us to think deeply before we act.
Bali – A Journey Inward
In Bali, I attended a yoga retreat that gave me something even deeper—clarity. The space, the silence, the presence of a wise guru—everything pointed me inward.
In one breath, I could feel the difference between living and just existing. It reminded me that peace isn’t found in exotic places—it’s awakened within you when you’re present.
These are not just travel destinations. They are mirrors—reflecting not just the world around us, but the world within us. They show us what we’ve lost in the noise of modern life and what we can still rediscover: our ability to live intentionally and sustainably.
We often forget—the Earth has always been self-sufficient. Different places grow different crops, rich with nutrients uniquely suited for their climate and people. Nature provides exactly what’s needed, where it’s needed. But when we chase convenience over consciousness, we disrupt this harmony. We ship, overconsume, and waste—blindly.
This isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a mindset issue.
As a financial coach, I usually talk about money—but beneath every conversation about money is a deeper one: space.
The mental space to think clearly.
The emotional space to connect meaningfully.
The temporal space to live slowly and purposefully.
Different seasons of life require different kinds of space. In your twenties, perhaps it’s space to explore. In your forties, it might be space to realign. In your sixties, space to reflect and contribute.
When we don’t create space, we fill life with clutter—financially and spiritually.
True Luxury is Clarity
Luxury isn’t about excess. It’s not in a branded handbag or a five-star suite.
True luxury is clarity.
It’s having the time, the calm, and the consciousness to live aligned with your values.
We don’t need more.
We need less—but with more meaning.
Sustainable living is not about deprivation. It’s about discerning choices.
It’s about living lightly and leaving a lasting impact.
Financial freedom gave me time. But purposeful living gave me depth.
And that freedom—the freedom to choose how you live—is available to anyone willing to become aware.
You can choose how you spend your time.
You can align your money with your meaning.
You can slow down, simplify, and reconnect.
So as you travel the world, I hope you also travel within.
Learn what you do well. Be humbled by what you don’t yet know.
Let culture shift you, people teach you, and nature ground you.
In that awareness, may you realise:
You are already free—once you choose to live with intention.
AUTHOR
JASON KOEH
Author of The Slave of Money and developer of The Template of Financial Freedom TM; with Capital Markets Services Representative