Scrolling through social media, it’s hard to ignore the viral posts declaring that traditional paths are scams. “College is a rip-off!” “9-5 jobs are soul-crushing!” “Escape the Matrix!” They scream at us, promising a life of freedom and fulfillment if only we abandon these supposed traps.

But is it really that simple? Let me share my journey, and maybe we can find some clarity together.

I dropped out of college at 18, thinking I was dodging a bullet. But then, I found myself in another mess. I made a lot of money without ever having a 9-5 or a “real job,” but that’s not a flex. I was partying, drinking, doing drugs—basically living every day like it was the weekend.

Sounds fun, right? The life of party and bullshit. I thought I made it, I was on cloud nine, my ego was huge, and I was unstoppable. But my route involved doing a lot of ethically and morally questionable things (I won’t get into details yet) and selling my soul for most of my 20s.

The fact is, you can sell your soul doing things you tolerate, make tons of money, and then what?

That’s why they call it the trap life.

I can see why people think college is a scam.

Just because you have a college degree doesn’t guarantee job security or financial success.

In today’s world, making money is a skill, not a promise handed out with a diploma. It’s time to wake up to the reality that traditional education doesn’t automatically equate to dollar signs.

The biggest scam, in my opinion, is not being happy with whatever you’re doing or where you ended up in life because you made choices that weren’t yours. Part of you knew you hated making those choices but did it anyway, and now you’re living a big lie to yourself because it pleases other people.

I know that scam well because the idea of a 9-5 job seemed both comforting and suffocating.

Social media is relentless: “Quit your job and start a business!” “Why start a business when you can buy a business!?” “Your 9-5 is killing your soul!” You get the gist.

It paints a picture of monotony, unfulfilled dreams, and that life is amazing after we buy a blueprint or crash course on how to make a million bucks from a guru on the internet.

But then I realized, it wasn’t black and white. People love to shit on the work-life “balance,” something I saw entrepreneurs struggling with.

Those in the cheap seats loves to throw stones at those in the arena.

Not every 9-5 job is a trap; for many, it’s a source of stability and fulfillment. For others it’s a hamster wheel for overconsumption and autopiloting through life.

The concept of “exiting the Matrix” was perhaps the most enticing. I learned about this when I was entering high school, and that all institutionalized education was a scam.

No matter how much philosophy you read, how woke you are, or how big your spiritual ego may be, the idea of breaking free from societal norms, quitting my job, and becoming an entrepreneur sounded like the ultimate liberation. But there are half-truths to all of this. Truths that are relatively subjective.

Social media is filled with stories of those who did it, flaunting their freedom and success.

Social media is the new resume.

Everyone is in “look at me” mode, trying to convince you that you’ve been deceived by whatever scam you are currently in. Join their program, buy their services, and you too can live “the dream.” The gig and creator economy is at an all-time high, and I love the capitalism behind these ideologies.

And it’s true, there are countless ways to make money online. I’ve had my fair share of attempts and failures multiple times. But why are so many people still stuck? How many are actually failing and trying to mask it with their online persona? We often don’t talk about that part of the scam either. Marketing, is that too, a scam?

The ugly truth is, these success stories often gloss over the failures, the sleepless nights, and the immense pressure. For every influencer flaunting their success, there are dozens more hiding their struggles. It’s a highlight reel, not reality.

And let’s be honest, the people selling you the dream are making their money off your desperation to escape the so-called scam.

However, the reality isn’t as glamorous as it seems. Entrepreneurship is riddled with risks, uncertainties, and immense pressure. I saw friends burn out, their businesses failing, and their personal lives in deep shit.

Not everyone is cut out for this path. I learned that true freedom isn’t about rejecting traditional roles, but about finding what genuinely works for me. For some, that’s entrepreneurship; for others, it’s thriving within the structure of a traditional job.

So, here’s the real deal: Not everything is a scam. Maybe living in binary thinking with polarizing choices is a scam. College, 9-5 jobs, and even the idea of exiting the Matrix each have their own merits and drawbacks. The key is to critically evaluate what aligns with your values and goals. Social media might make you feel like you need to choose one extreme, but life is far more nuanced.

And hey, if you’re reading this from a stranger on the internet proclaiming objective truth, that too is probably a scam.

Here’s a polarizing thought: the notion of “freedom” sold by the entrepreneurship cult might be the biggest scam of all. We’re told that quitting our jobs and starting a business is the ultimate act of rebellion, the way to “exit the Matrix” and achieve true freedom. But what if it’s just another form of enslavement? The gig economy promises autonomy but often delivers 24/7 hustle, with no separation between work and life, no health benefits, no retirement plans. You trade one boss for countless clients, and suddenly, you’re not just an employee—you’re the entire company, constantly hustling to stay afloat.

The glorification of the entrepreneur lifestyle masks the grim reality that for every success story, there are countless tales of failure, stress, and burnout. The pressure to always be “on,” to constantly market yourself, and to turn every aspect of your life into content is exhausting. It’s a never-ending cycle of work disguised as freedom. And let’s not forget, the same influencers telling you to quit your job are often the ones profiting from your discontent, selling you courses, books, and seminars on how to achieve the very freedom they flaunt.

Maybe true freedom isn’t about rejecting the traditional paths but finding a way to navigate them that aligns with your values and brings you genuine fulfillment. Maybe the real “Matrix” is believing that happiness lies in radical change rather than a thoughtful and intentional life.

So, while the idea of entrepreneurship and “exiting the Matrix” sounds revolutionary, it’s essential to question whether it’s just another cleverly marketed illusion. True freedom is deeply personal and doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all blueprint. It’s about creating a life that reflects your unique values, passions, and aspirations—whether that’s in a traditional job, as an entrepreneur, or somewhere in between.

All that matter is:

Are you happy with what you’re doing or where you’ve ended up?

If you’re not, why not course correct?

Consider this: The structures we often label as scams—college, 9-5 jobs, societal norms—are the very frameworks that have shaped civilizations, driven progress, and provided stability for countless generations. What if everybody decided to be an entrepreneur? Would the world collapse?

While it’s easy to criticize them in our quest for personal fulfillment, it’s worth pondering whether our dissatisfaction stems from the structures themselves or from our own inability to navigate and find meaning within them. True freedom might not lie in rejecting these frameworks outright but in mastering them to carve out a life that truly resonates with who we are. Perhaps the real scam is believing that happiness and success are found outside these structures rather than within them.

Remember, trends sell hope—the hope that there is more outside of these “scams or not scams” for those of us looking to do more with our lives than be ‘stuck’ in one dimension. Staying in your lane is great advice when you know it’s your calling or you’re happy tolerating “something” until you’re 65 to “make a living.”

But until you know if you’re in alignment, swerve into as many lanes as you need to find your thing.

Life is too short to be brainwashed by society’s “guarantees” of money and happiness.

The only thing that is not a scam is death.

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Maybe we can talk about the retiring at 65 system next.

As we part ways for now, I want to leave you with a few final thoughts that are close to my heart. In a world full of noise, it’s easy to get swept up in trends, quick fixes, and superficial success. But remember, true fulfillment comes from staying authentic and exercising great discernment.

Stay true to yourself, no matter how tempting it may be to conform to societal expectations. Your journey is unique, and your path to success and happiness doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Discernment is key. Whether it’s financial decisions, lifestyle choices, or personal relationships, take the time to reflect and choose wisely. Not everything that glitters is gold, and not every opportunity is worth pursuing. Trust your instincts, do your research, and make informed decisions that align with your long-term goals.

Thank you for being part of the Fit & Frugal community. Let’s continue to challenge the status quo, break free from the superficial, and redefine success on our own terms.

Until next time, stay fit, stay frugal, and most importantly, stay true to you.