From The Concrete Jungle to The Beach
Content warning: this piece is not intended to be some smug bozo saying, “look how great my life is” or “you have to do this too”. I don’t want to compare myself to you, or for you to compare yourself to me. This is about current me vs. past me and I hope it creates some reflection for you vs. yourself.
A melting pot of intention, luck, support and hard work has led me to feel more fulfilled, healthy, balanced and productive than I have EVER been. An enormous part of that is due to the new environment my partner and I now get to live in. I must also credit my older brother and several friends who shifted from city living, shared its benefits and paved the way for me.
Of course, there are sacrifices. I can’t always access my family, my partner’s family and many dear friends. I had to leave community behind, end the best job I’d ever had and move away from my beloved home city and all its creature comforts.
In the past, moving suburbs felt demanding, so I thought moving states would be gruelling. Unexpectedly though, I was able to roll with it and I felt calm throughout. [Okay, so there WAS a last-minute doozy and some stress as our relocation rental fell through]. Other than that glitch in the matrix, the idea of this move flowed through me with clarity and ease.
“Even if I am not here permanently, being here has created permanent change within me.”
I don’t feel like I had any reason to run away from home, but I did feel like I was running towards a new way of being. I had an inkling of the positivity this change could bring, but it’s surpassed my expectations, and I didn’t really get it until I did it and got it. Even if I am not here permanently, being here has created permanent change within me.
My partner shares many of my views and experiences, but I’ll just speak as honestly as I can on my own behalf. Since leaving the city, here’s the main changes I’ve noticed in my priorities, my health and how I spend my time:
1. More consistently able to slow down: I used to get SO frustrated when people would talk about slowing down. It only came in dribs and drabs for me, and I was envious of those who said they could consistently cultivate it. In Melbourne, I had non-stop temptations, distractions and obligations.
Now, the environment I live in feels spacious and slowness feels way more accessible. I’ve noticed my default response to people has mostly shifted from how busy I am to how great I feel. My weekends aren’t jam-packed seeing people and doing things as I don’t feel the need for as much socialisation. I’m savouring a simpler life in the beauty of nature.
2. Deeper connection to the rhythms of nature: in Melbourne, I felt like I needed a weekend in nature or to take extended holidays as a circuit-breaker. This has now flipped. I’m grateful to live in a sleepy suburb next to a beach, and I’ll head into town if I desire a burst of energy. I prefer the new default of tranquillity where I can add or seek stimulation if I choose.
The sub-tropical climate has also created more pathways for outdoor activities. I religiously swim in the ocean each day (even if it’s pissing rain) and we leave the windows open to wake up more naturally to the waves and wildlife around us. Kids regularly play in the streets here too. Rain used to feel like this inconvenience to my busy schedule. Here, the nature feels humbling, and when it rains, it usually pours. Mother nature tells me when it’s time to stay inside and just be.
3. Increased acceptance of boredom, free time & non-stimulation: boredom is not a negative word here. Yes, I can still resist boredom at times and try to fill gaps, but this is happening less and less. Some of my best ideas come from this place as I’m able to follow my curiosity. During my daily (sometimes twice daily) journey to the beach, I get creative bursts of inspiration around what I want to put out into the world.
I feel less desire for activities that feel mind-numbing to me (like binging TV shows and consuming social media feeds) and I’m naturally engaging with more creative pursuits (like reading, cooking, exercising, building out my business, and now, writing again).
4. Desire to be more consciously aware of health & movement: maybe it’s because I’m surrounded by aesthetically healthy people, the climate is warm or life is more stripped back, but I’m more deliberate about what I put into my body and how I move it. Going to gym encourages me to eat cleaner and eating cleaner gives me energy to go to gym. It’s all interrelated and I’m feeling the compounding benefits.
I now experience more: sun & swimming, sport & gym, nature walks & hikes, proactive health appointments, protein & supplements, organic market food, spring water & home cooking. I now experience less: dining out & alcohol, seed oils, excess sugar & processed food, allergies & sickness, general stress and overall time indoors.
[I will name that my partner was recently away for 10 days, and I was burning the candle at both ends to maintain hardcore work, exercise, cooking, house and dog-dad duties. Meticulous planning was the only ways to get everything done and I know this discipline would be unsustainable for me long-term if I had to do it solo. I’d end up doing less good stuff, feel stressed while doing it, or both. Without her, I couldn’t do what I do and be who I am.]
“I’ve felt lonely amongst large groups of people I know, yet when alone in nature, I rarely feel lonely.”
5. Able to better enjoy my own space & company: outside of a solo travelling adventure and some other bits & pieces over the years, I mostly resisted time alone until coming here. When linking up with people overseas, it usually came from a place of fear or desperation.
Today, I feel much more at peace if my partner isn’t around, and even if she is, I’m more comfortable than ever to do my own thing at my own pace. We have good friends here if I desire a check-in or hang out, but I don’t feel clingy or attached to regularly see anyone. I now cherish my alone time and love my own company. I’ve felt lonely amongst large groups of people I know, yet when alone in nature, I rarely feel lonely.
6. A serendipitous sole trader journey & having control over my work-life balance: I’m regularly asked about what I do professionally and how I built it, especially by clients, friends and acquaintances looking to change careers or start a business. There’s a lot I want to say about this almost accidental career shift, so I’ll share a separate piece on this over the next few weeks.
Yes, being away from loved ones is challenging as I can’t see them at a drop of a hat, but we’ve cherished hosting our families and friends for extended periods… I doubt they’d ever spend the night if we lived in the same city, let alone the concentrated quality time we can now share.
I do give myself credit for the positive changes I’ve created, and I’m aware that many of these shifts are a default of where and how I get to live. AND I still have plenty to work on, there are things I’ve let slip and I want to share them to hold myself accountable. This also feels like a thing, so I’m writing another piece on this over the coming weeks.
For now, we shall call it my Annual Accountability Aspirational Aims Article — the AAAAAA… the extra A is a typo. [If you don’t understand this reference from The Simpsons, then I am sorry for your deprived childhood.]
All in all, I feel immense gratitude to have landed in the best environment for me to engage with things that feel great for my mind, body & soul.
For me: I hope I will carry these lessons forward and integrate them into my life, no matter what my future holds.
For you: I hope this piques your curiosity and you take some time to self-inquire about how you want to live your life.
