SLOW

 

 

Independence Day

 

 

 

 

It’s our Independence Day. And it’s worth celebrating. Because two years ago we changed how we live our lives.

Think of those memes that say ‘Buy a plane ticket, walk out the door and never come back”.

We kind of did that.

We began a new chapter, in a new place, with new journeys.

Of course so many people asked “What do you mean slow living?” Sometimes we would share our definition. Sometimes not. Not everyone really wanted to know.

We realised that for the vast majority of people, they are not interested in living differently. They will accept the status quo. And they want you to do the same. But some will embrace alternative ways to live your life and some will even wish you well.

It took us ten years to build this life; no car, no debt, no nonsense. Just one simple goal. Get free sooner. Neither of us were prepared to work till we’re old, to enjoy real freedom.

Some wrote off our dreams as ‘dropping out’. They didn’t really understand. And that’s fine. Others took time to listen and talk about lifestyle, the environment, capitalism, consumerism and definitions of success. They understood why we wanted to live a bit differently.

Are you living differently too?

Our goal to live differently had many characteristics;

• avoid a life lived in one place (we were not ‘retiring’ at 48 and 45) Funny how so many people wanted to label what we were doing as retiring.
• pursue a life filled with travel, with a focus on local travel, remaining mindful of the environment
• have the freedom to determine what our day looked like; fill those days with as much or as little as we wanted
• make our physical and mental health a priority; moving more, eating less processed foods
• work in a freelance capacity, picking and choosing our work
• take the time to enjoy the nature on our doorstep, sunset yoga, sundowners, long walks
• spend time with friends; long lazy lunches and evenings of star-gazing and putting the world to rights
• reject the rampant consumerism around us (we bought what we needed to be comfortable and stopped there)
• be self sufficient wherever possible
• recycle
• up-cycle
• create

Have there been challenges? Of course!

Some people didn’t imagine we would behave differently. Because we had spent years flying to friends and family and always being the ones spending time and money to visit, many expected us to continue to do the same. Instead we extended a warm welcome to all and said, “now it’s your turn to visit”.

As always there was the “look at my big house, car, designer whatever”.  We would look, smile and walk away. It doesn’t impress. Some are defined and driven by money and stuff. We are not.

We didn’t follow fashion (did we ever?) We certainly didn’t follow trends.

A friend asked, quite directly, “what were your steps?” Probably the steps to leading an alternative life are very personal and ultimately determined by your goal. Ask yourself, how do I want to live differently? And then ask yourself, how do I get there?

You have to do the work and make a plan.

And you have to be motivated.

For us we knew it would have been easier to stay on the treadmill, enjoy our disposable income, travel during the holidays and repeat. But for what? We wanted a simpler life.

And we were reminded too many times that life can be cut short, so you want to live the life that you want, right now.

Do you want to live differently?

How would that look?

 

© Maggie M / Mother City Time

 

 

 

If you enjoyed reading this, would you consider sharing it with a friend?

Perhaps you know someone who wants to change the direction of their life too.