> Work for another company -> compete for decreasing number of jobs with increasing number of candidates.
> start their own business -> compete with everyone that is smarter than you and/or had a better starting position.
> go live in the forest and live off the land -> this is called poverty.
But I think there might be a way out:
Spend as little as possible and use all your extra cash to buy stocks. Not meme stocks of course but either an index fund or if you really trust your skill go ahead and pick stocks. If there is a wealth transfer you will be at least partially on the receiving end.
Leave your job -> Lose health insurance and anything you paid towards your deductible