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I Don’t Want to Grow Up: Life, Liberty, and Happiness Without a Career: Nature Book Series, Book 3
America’s best-selling author of Wilderness, The Gateway to the Soul, and Nature’s Silent Message offers a glimpse into his childhood of skateboarding, high school brawls, and early trials and tribulations with money and success. The scenery may be different, but the writing style is business as usual, with life lessons cruising a mile a minute in this insightful story about what it means to never grow up.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
We’ve been asked this question over and over, practically since the day we could walk. Many of us have absolutely no idea. We never have and we never will. This bothers us terribly and on a profound level. We feel useless, disconnected, scattered, unfocused. If we could just make up our minds—about something, about anything!
What if you didn’t have to grow up?
Society would like us to believe that to be happy, we need successful careers. But let’s face it—we’re not all meant to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, and accountants.
Some are meant to be dreamers.
The people on the fringes of society who don’t necessarily subscribe to the modern version of the American dream. Artists, adrenaline junkies, nomads, life seekers. Those who doubt conventional wisdom, question authority, and continually search for newer, better ways to live.
The world needs freaks—now more than ever.
Never before has there been such an opportunity to live the life of your dreams. Never before have there been so many ways to earn an income. Never before have there been so many ways to have fun!
What do you want to be...when you don't grow up?
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
We’ve been asked this question over and over, practically since the day we could walk. Many of us have absolutely no idea. We never have and we never will. This bothers us terribly and on a profound level. We feel useless, disconnected, scattered, unfocused. If we could just make up our minds—about something, about anything!
What if you didn’t have to grow up?
Society would like us to believe that to be happy, we need successful careers. But let’s face it—we’re not all meant to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, and accountants.
Some are meant to be dreamers.
The people on the fringes of society who don’t necessarily subscribe to the modern version of the American dream. Artists, adrenaline junkies, nomads, life seekers. Those who doubt conventional wisdom, question authority, and continually search for newer, better ways to live.
The world needs freaks—now more than ever.
Never before has there been such an opportunity to live the life of your dreams. Never before have there been so many ways to earn an income. Never before have there been so many ways to have fun!
What do you want to be...when you don't grow up?
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Published September 22, 2023
19 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 5, 2025
Truly one of the best books to describe life and development of what people think it really is. Not fitting in and loving yourself is the deception of who I am as a person. Scott Stillman truly gets you thinking of the outside world & I loved it.
May 16, 2025
Great book however got a little repetitive at times
May 4, 2025
Are you a dreamer? Do you like adventure and want to experience more often? If so, this book is for you! Scott Stillman inspires readers to go outside security to reach goals. Scott talks about his experiences through life and how he was able to accomplish dreams in creative ways. He encourages readers to go experience more of life now vs. waiting for the future. I found the book to be inspirational and a good book to read when you are really still asking yourself “What do I want to do when I grow up?” no matter what age you are. It’s never too late!
I received a copy of this book for free and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I received a copy of this book for free and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
December 25, 2025
Stmg en Accès santé, ce livre a sauvé mon parcoursup (c’est faux).
September 1, 2025
This book was definitely unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s clear that Scott Stillman is a curious and passionate writer. His work questions much of what we take for granted and encourages the reader to abandon predetermined views as they read.
There were many aspects I enjoyed. I loved the structure of the chapters and their subheadings, which broke the book into distinct themes and made the messages more impactful. I also appreciated the simple and accessible language, Stillman explores complex and topical issues such as climate change, capitalism, spirituality and religion, the purpose of life, overconsumption, the law of attraction in simple terms. He certainly has a way with words, and I found myself saving several passages as affirmations and reminders.
On the other hand, the book often felt oversimplified and repetitive. At times it came across as biased and dismissive toward people who don’t have the resources, time, or privilege to step back and “question the system”. Issues such as modern society, the legal system, and accessibility are brushed over, and while I agree these systems are flawed, reducing them to simple critiques feels dismissive of a large portion of the audience. It is also very evident that the book is written from the perspective of a privileged white man raised in Ohio, which is never acknowledged. Access to nature itself is directly and deeply linked to privilege.
Although thought-provoking, this book is not wholly realistic. It leans heavily into idealism and doesn’t fully grapple with the complexity of the issues it raises.
There were many aspects I enjoyed. I loved the structure of the chapters and their subheadings, which broke the book into distinct themes and made the messages more impactful. I also appreciated the simple and accessible language, Stillman explores complex and topical issues such as climate change, capitalism, spirituality and religion, the purpose of life, overconsumption, the law of attraction in simple terms. He certainly has a way with words, and I found myself saving several passages as affirmations and reminders.
On the other hand, the book often felt oversimplified and repetitive. At times it came across as biased and dismissive toward people who don’t have the resources, time, or privilege to step back and “question the system”. Issues such as modern society, the legal system, and accessibility are brushed over, and while I agree these systems are flawed, reducing them to simple critiques feels dismissive of a large portion of the audience. It is also very evident that the book is written from the perspective of a privileged white man raised in Ohio, which is never acknowledged. Access to nature itself is directly and deeply linked to privilege.
Although thought-provoking, this book is not wholly realistic. It leans heavily into idealism and doesn’t fully grapple with the complexity of the issues it raises.
February 27, 2026
Work to live 4/5
I love the sentiment in this book. It’s a super quick read and gives you headline opinions rather than debating reams of research. In summary… go back to thinking like a child and exist among delight and wonder… the world is a playground and we already live in paradise so live for the now… money and career should never be the main goal of existence, so design your life differently.
These are all great messages about following your calling rather than living a cookie cutter, grown up life prescribed by ‘society’. I buy into Scott’s ethos of pursuing authentic living, and his boyish enthusiasm is both infectious and inspiring. It’s a great reminder that we have options and really can, and probably should, eschew traditional career paths and follow our hearts. Some people will criticise this as self-centred, however if you’re genuinely happy in the first place you have the potential to be a great role model and really help others.
I realise Scott is preaching to the converted with me (especially his love of the mountains and outdoor adventure) and that’s the main problem with a book like this… those that really need to hear his message are too busy (and probably blinded!) to seek it out and read it. There’s certainly a battle between pragmatically earning money and chasing adventure to nourish the soul, however Scott’s view is go for it and maximise the activities that bring you joy. Amen to that.
I love the sentiment in this book. It’s a super quick read and gives you headline opinions rather than debating reams of research. In summary… go back to thinking like a child and exist among delight and wonder… the world is a playground and we already live in paradise so live for the now… money and career should never be the main goal of existence, so design your life differently.
These are all great messages about following your calling rather than living a cookie cutter, grown up life prescribed by ‘society’. I buy into Scott’s ethos of pursuing authentic living, and his boyish enthusiasm is both infectious and inspiring. It’s a great reminder that we have options and really can, and probably should, eschew traditional career paths and follow our hearts. Some people will criticise this as self-centred, however if you’re genuinely happy in the first place you have the potential to be a great role model and really help others.
I realise Scott is preaching to the converted with me (especially his love of the mountains and outdoor adventure) and that’s the main problem with a book like this… those that really need to hear his message are too busy (and probably blinded!) to seek it out and read it. There’s certainly a battle between pragmatically earning money and chasing adventure to nourish the soul, however Scott’s view is go for it and maximise the activities that bring you joy. Amen to that.
June 17, 2025
This book was okay. It has quite straightforward thinking, but in this climate, it's not always so easy to 'just' do something in the pursuit of joy or happiness.
It's not a bad book, but it's not wholly realistic either. While 2-3 decades ago, you could 100% just go out and travel, these days, it's becoming increasingly difficult because the pull of society is stronger than ever.
Didn't take me long to read. There were a few grammatical errors in the last chapter, but I found a few eye-opening pointers too.
It's not a bad book, but it's not wholly realistic either. While 2-3 decades ago, you could 100% just go out and travel, these days, it's becoming increasingly difficult because the pull of society is stronger than ever.
Didn't take me long to read. There were a few grammatical errors in the last chapter, but I found a few eye-opening pointers too.
September 18, 2025
Highly recommend this book! Really eye opening Scott Stillman breaks down how much simpler life really is and how beautiful our world can be. He also opposes a 9-5 work lifestyle and living as we naturally were meant to living nature and trusting our senses and just being happy living amongst the earth! One of my favorite books I’ve read this year especially if you feel an urge to love nature or are struggle to figure out where to go.
January 5, 2026
Honestly this book changed my life. It’s very simple to read and can be a bit slow sometimes but you really connect with the author. By examining his life story and comparing it to mine, my hopes and dreams- he really helped me realize just how grateful I am in life, how to appreciate the little things, take things slow, and how to just be happy.
March 2, 2026
This book is going to make deep truths accessible to people who have yet (and hopefully never have to) to go down the quantum rabbit hole. Also, just a quick, enjoyable read and great advice even for the surface level stuff. It’s come out at a time that I’m on the cusp of a new life and it makes it feel a little less scary.
June 6, 2025
Easy read with a great message. I would highly recommend to anyone!
June 9, 2025
One of my favourite books I’ve ever read. Read in one day, changed my view on life. My favourite part was the squirrels pov. Will recommend to everyone I meet.
July 28, 2025
I absolutely loved this read.
August 31, 2025
i feel inspired
November 1, 2025
easy read, a few really good takeaways. a bit overly detailed on the growing up portion of his life and less detail on the more interesting parts of his adult life but still pretty good.
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January 1, 2026lit
January 12, 2026
Cool book about not fitting in and inspirational in living life your own way.
January 19, 2026
Just do it kinda Vibe
February 19, 2026
This book was a soul cleanse.
February 21, 2026
Great book!
March 8, 2026
It’s a quick and easy read. I wish I’d read it 40 years ago.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews