Tuesday, June 23, 2026

What’s Working

For readers looking for what’s still working in the world

GrowthUpworthy

22-year-old forgoes buying a home and spends his life savings on a chunk of raw Colombian jungle

Flourishing score 6.5/10Read the original ↗

In a bold move that turns traditional life goals on their head, 22-year-old Robert Lennox-Hvenekilde from Denmark has used his savings not for a mortgage, but to purchase 7.5 acres of Colombian jungle. This decision, rooted in a desire for freedom and a high quality of life, challenges the conventional path of home ownership, which has become increasingly unattainable for many young people due to exorbitant price-to-income ratios. Lennox-Hvenekilde's choice is a testament to the growing appeal of off-grid living, driven by economic pressures and a yearning for simplicity.

Lennox-Hvenekilde's journey is not just a personal adventure but a commitment to conservation. He plans to live sustainably, using the land to cultivate food while nurturing the habitat for endangered species. His approach underscores a significant contrast to the mass deforestation practices often seen in agricultural expansions. While some critics express concern over foreign ownership of such land, Lennox-Hvenekilde advocates for his minimal impact and dedication to environmental stewardship, offering a model of how individual actions can contribute positively to ecological preservation.

Constructive analysis

The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.

The problem
The challenge of affordable home ownership for young people, exacerbated by high price-to-income ratios.
The actions
Robert Lennox-Hvenekilde purchased undeveloped land in Colombia to live sustainably and support conservation efforts.
Evidence of progress
He is building a small structure and plans to cultivate the land while protecting native species, offering a counterpoint to mass deforestation.
What we can learn
Others can learn from his commitment to sustainable living and the possibility of redefining personal success beyond traditional assets.
PERMA wellbeing profile of this story

Seligman's five pillars of wellbeing, as expressed in this story.

Positive Emotion
8
Engagement
9
Relationships
7
Meaning
9
Accomplishment
8
PERMA

Character strengths in play

Top VIA strengths this story embodies.

  • Courage

    It took a lot of bravery for Lennox-Hvenekilde to take such a big leap the way he did.

  • Curiosity

    Lennox-Hvenekilde has always been an adventurer, filming his outdoorsy-escapades on TikTok for years.

  • Hope

    He was inspired to take his interest in nature to the next level, envisioning a life of freedom and high quality.

Try this today

Consider what aspects of your current lifestyle could be simplified to enhance your quality of life. Spend a few minutes each day imagining a life that aligns more closely with your values, and identify one small change you can make to move towards this vision.