Adventures in Opting Out

A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life

By: Cait Flanders

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Opt out of expectations and live a more intentional life with this refreshing guide from the national bestselling author of The Year of Less.
We all follow our own path in life. At least, that's what we're told. In reality, many of us either do what is expected of us, or follow the invisible but well-worn paths that lead to what is culturally acceptable. For some, those paths are fine -- even great. But they leave some of us feeling disconnected from ourselves and what we really want. When that discomfort finally outweighs the fear of trying something new, we're ready to opt out.

After going through this process many times, Cait Flanders found there is an incredible parallel between taking a different path in life and the psychological work it takes to summit a mountain -- especially when you decide to go solo. In Adventures in Opting Out, she offers a trail map to help you with both. As you'll see, reaching the first viewpoint can be easy -- and it offers a glimpse of what you're walking toward. Climbing to the summit for the full view is worth it. But in the space between those two peaks you will enter a world completely unknown to you, and that is the most difficult part of the path to navigate.

With Flanders's guidance and advice, drawn from her own journey and stories of others, you'll have all the encouragement and insight you'll need to take the path less traveled and create the life you want. Just step up to the trailhead and expect it to be an adventure.

Critic reviews

“Opting out isn’t about taking huge risks or being perfect in how you navigate new trails in your life. Cait Flanders's book isn’t a simple how-to full of hacks and tips, it’s more like having a helpful fellow traveler on your journey, one who gently shows you how to critically examine which new paths may be worth exploring. Do yourself a favor and don’t opt out of reading this book.”

—Paul Jarvis, author of Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business

"Through stories and metaphors, Cait Flanders will show you how to opt into an intentional life. The prose reads like a long letter from a good friend. The book is unique and full of wisdom. I highly recommend Adventures in Opting Out!"—Tammy Strobel, author of You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)

“I emerged from Adventures in Opting Out feeling courageous. In these pages, Cait Flanders does more than simply inspire us to live with more depth and authenticity. She gives us rare, practical guidance on reaching beyond outworn cultural norms to discover—and to follow—the adventure that is ours alone to create.”—Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Mozart's Starling

"I always feel better after I read Cait Flanders; there’s something about her mix of practicality and truth-telling that both soothes and inspires me...A sturdy and flexible framework to navigate whatever path you are currently on."—Mary Jo, Powell's

"Refreshingly blunt and entirely free from feel-good platitudes….Whether you're in need of a life change these days or not, it's helpful to read words of guidance from someone who works so hard to practice what she preaches about simple, frugal, and intentional living."

—Katherine Martinko, Treehugger

Lovely, peaceful, kind.

Firstly, although the reading was well done I miss Cait’s voice. I listened to her first book, year of less, in her own voice and was a bit sad this one was narrated by someone else, however she did do an excellent job.
Her first book was extremely motivating and I have both listened to and read it. This one is a more gentle approach. I got a lot out of it, but I didn’t love it as much because it felt like there were some redundancies and I would have appreciated less overview and more actual narrative. This is a picky thing, and I don’t intend it to undermine the content, which is good.

I wish my rating were higher

I really enjoyed The Year of Less, and so I guess my expectations for this book were high. Sadly, I don’t think this book gave any radically new insight or surprising information that wasn’t either covered in the previous book or just obvious. I didn’t love the hiking metaphors and the overall giving me advice. I wish it had been more of a personal account where the reader can choose what to take for their own lives, instead of being told what to do. I’m sorry :(

Love Cait Flanders!

She is so relatable. I am so happy she came out with another book and I am looking forward to the next (if that is part of her next adventure). Thank you, Cait!

Enjoyed Reading this!

I really liked to hear about Cait's adventures. I have been opting out of things too and it has made me happier. It's great to hear others stories and I love that she reminds you that everyone will have their own unique to them opt out. Also a great reminder that failure is ok and you might hate the opt out you are trying and there's no reason to keep up with something that doesn't suit you.

Perfect Timing

When the Stident is ready, the teacher appears.
I’ll be retiring from the military at the end of this year and this book has helped to open my mind to possibilities focused on my true desires. So I bought a Lamborghini last week and wonder where and with whom the next chapter will be written 😊