One of the great things about blogging, is that you have an outlet when you are low or you simply need to vent. One of the great things about life (well, most days) is that it is constantly changing, evolving and generally speaking a tough few days can be followed by better ones. Right now I’m focusing on making the next few days better days. I’m going to take some time just for me, not so much socializing and more reflecting, relaxing and simply being. I’m going to make lists of priorities and different routes there. I’m going to look into some of your many wonderful suggestions, Moyra I really like the idea of looking after property, Kaela B a very tiny house sounds perfect indeed and Nanette reminded me to keep believing. I’m amazed at how many of you in the comment section and by email (yes, I am always happy to receive emails for those that asked) feel the exact same way – wanting to leave the career you’ve worked hard to achieve and be home, birthing babes, planting, baking, cooking, reading. Bri gave a great reminder that feminism is about choice – so ladies I think we can all embrace what we want to, no actually what we chose we need to. For I really think this whole journey, for me anyways, is a lot less about want and more about need.
Just to clarify, I don’t want to buy in London (heaven forbid!), I’m not looking for a big home with a large garden – I was thinking a simple terrace with a yard (teeny, tiny, plot – very hard to describe to North American’s unless you’ve seen our little terraces – cute they are!). But right now I’m getting my creative hat on and no I don’t need to purchase a house to feel complete.
So, I’m trying to move in the right direction and I think I am. I’ve signed up with my local council for an allotment (for those not from the UK this is a small patch of land you rent from your local government), there is an estimated wait of 1-3 years, but I’ll keep in regular contact and hope that it might be sooner rather than later – if you are the praying kind feel free to add in a prayer or two ;0) I’m also contacting a local animal & countryside charity and am hoping I can do something Fridays – this will get me into the countryside, give me experience with animals and wildlife which can only be good prep for what I hope my future holds.
Sometimes when we open up our hearts I think we hear what we need to hear. Deepali gave me a great quote to consider, which I think I really needed to hear:
To make it only slightly more (but not too much) practical: stop thinking in terms of “i don’t”, “i want”, etc, and start thinking in terms of “i am”.
Thank you all for your suggestions and outpouring of support. Since you all helped bring me some peace, I leave you with some photos I’ve taken over the last couple of weeks that bring me peace. Enjoy!
Devon cream tea!
Thank you!
Note: Many of you suggested by email or comment I start putting adds on this blog, start freelance writing and making money through writing so I can leave my job or further reduce my hours. Thank you for such kind words. I’m not sure how I feel about ads on blogs, but I do know I love to write and wish I had more time to. So I’ll keep thinking and reflecting and try and think about a balance that is right for me.
Keep your thinking cap on; thinking outside the box often brings great success. Perhaps you can see a rather shabby allotment and offer to help out?
Perhaps a lovely person would need housesitting/pet watching services? Many people need to travel for extended period of times and would like to have someone in their home during that time. Sometimes ads at universities or libraries might work. Lissa
I liked Deepali’s response too … especially ” stop struggling and just let be.
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Just carry on carrying on and trust that instinct of yours.
love xxx
Oh, how this post made me cry! Deepali’s quote is own so true! The I am or yes I can attitude will change things for anyone! I love your blog and miss it when you take a break!
well, glad my nonsensical ramblings can help someone.
i know that you will be happy, because i think we all carry our happiness with us. so open up to yourself too and see what’s there. good luck!!
Your dream sounds lovely! I wish you the best of luck with it all.
I appreciate your comments on changing away from “I want”.
I came to that conclusion when working on my goals for 2009. I do not want to say or pray “I want”. It is either “I need” or “I desire”, but not the neediness / childishness / arrogance of “I want”.
Hang in there! It’s all a journey to who we are.
Learning to just be, and live in the moment is challenging. I hope you find the next few days refreshing.
It’s all about a positive attitude and perspective, and we all know you have both!
I’m so glad you are in better spirits today. I didn’t get time to reply to yesterday’s post. I have to agree with your plan to take a few days to “just be”. Sometimes that’s all we need to see where we want to go.
Often when you take time to really take in where you are and what you have you find fulfillment. Just being is a wonderful thing! Many people can’t take it, I suppose they’re afraid of what they’ll see or hear. I love the quiet silence of introspective time.
Mr Chiots and I like to go backpacking to enjoy some “being” time.
Love the idea of being, I did that and still do years ago, finally after many years went Open University and found something I am rather good at. While you are being though, don’t forget to pop your head up and look around, you never know what signs life is showing you for what is to come.
Just a few more suggestions. Contact the National Trust, they do have vacancies sometimes for someone to live in their smaller houses with a long lease. It might fit in with what you want. Spend some time around your local allotment and talk to the folks. They would know of anyone who might need help or who would be willing to share. There might be someone who is about to give up their allotment and would willing to hand it over to you. Never give up and keep your options open. Am keeping you in my thoughts.
The idea isn’t to sell ads and make a living but to be able to write fulltime and influance people in a postive way, and having ads is one way of doing that. Trent over at thesimpledollar.com has often talked about how he could make much more money with ads than he does but he writes prmaly to help people not to get rich.
sorry pardon the typos forgot to run spell check (insert embarrased smiley)
Making a living from blogging full-time is quite difficult, especially if you are more interested in writing that SEO, marketing and hustling for ads. On the other hand if you ever want to chat about how you could make some side money from it, then feel free to give me a shout (I am not a high blog earner btw).
Hi there-best of luck with 2009 and hope you find the right life balance for yourself my dear.
Frugal Trenches: check out this site (if you haven’t already), Down to Earth to inspire your thoughts.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful images.
I think you should post ads. You have quite a readership and ads are so unobstrusive these days. Most of the time I only click in order to help the blogger not because they compel me
Just promise never to become one of those bloggers who begs for hits!
I love the pictures of the candles. Your banner brings me peace, too.
Your blog is wonderful, it inspires me and gives me energy to realize my ideas, to make plans and believe in change.
A happy new year to you!
I LOVE these photos! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you are feeling a bit better today. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful community on this blog and to receive such great advice. Your little terrace house sounds divine.
if you carry on your journey with as much commitment as you have shown so far then definately a book would be interesting reading for many I am sure!
Thanks for all the kind comments and encouragement!
lol Moyra I’m not sure anyone would want to read a book by me!
Plonkee – thanks!
personally ads on blogs are a pain…..however if they help then so be it. Someone suggested that to me, but I have resisted so far.
You are a lovely writer though, so that to my mind would be a good idea…..
Gill in Canada