May 21, 2022
Cottage On Cape Cod Bay March 2015
"Take me away, a secret place, a sweet escape, Take me away, Take me away to better days, a hiding place, Take me away!!" Pocketful of Sunshine, Singer Songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. 2008
Imagine rising in the morning while watching the mist lift over the bay, listening to ocean waves, seagulls call and observing fishermen set out to fetch their daily catch. Perhaps you'd rather live in a cabin nestled in the woods or a house perched on a mountainside slope or an adobe hut basking in the desert sun.
Life has become so crazy!!! We all feel it, yet most of us participate out of necessity. Or what we think is necessity.
How can you escape?? Maybe it's time for a move to the country or some other peaceful locale. Begin a search for how to make that happen. Make the dream a fun project. Visit desired areas. Talk to locals. Shop the village. Scope out the real estate market. Visit the schools if you have children. Can you work remotely at your current job? Do you have a skill which you could turn into an online business. Could you provide a service at the new location, which you could grow into a business?
Dream first. Picture how you want this dream to unfold. Make a list of what you need to make this dream work and follow through on each part. Start a folder or a notebook. Make notes. Record contacts. Crunch the numbers.
Do not underestimate manufactured homes, formerly called trailers. There is a vibrant RV community near us where one particular home inspires the good life. This home has lovely landscaping which creates a feeling of sanctuary. It is clean and neat, in a good community, near the beach, the intracoastal waterway, parks, shops and cafes. The owner has a jet ski, bikes, a kayak and a small boat parked in a covered driveway behind it. This home exudes "the good life" in every way.
In contrast, I drive by mansions which feel dull and dreary. Life is what you make it. Trite but true.
If you are not ready for a major life transition, find simpler ways to create peace. Don't be like a hamster on a wheel. Wherever there is stress in your life, activate change. Find ways to make life easier and calmer. As you proceed through your day, note the greatest stresses and make a list. Some things can be instantly fixed, others require spare moments or weekends. Hire a helper.
Some problems are physical. Go to the dentist, the chiropractor, or get your shoes resoled. Buy a new lawnmower. Repair the car air conditioner. Clean the fireplace to create a feeling of cozy in the winter. Make a list and fix what you can as soon as you can.
Other stresses are emotional or mental. You may need to make adjustments or develop new attitudes to transform these conditions. A difficult boss may require a new mind set, if not possible to transfer to a different department or secure a new job. Perhaps there is a way to have less interface with this boss. Doing the necessary emotional work to become unaffected by this person has the hidden bonus of improving other areas of your life and relationships, as well.
Make sure you have downtime in your day. Get up 15 minutes early and watch the sunrise. Drive the back roads to work, even if it is a bit longer. Have a peaceful picture at your workstation or in your office that you can look at to recenter yourself after a stressful encounter. Do something pleasurable on your coffee break. Get some fresh air. Go off by yourself and skip the office chatter. Take 15 minutes to regroup when you return home before spending time with the children. Unwind after evening activities before you go to bed. Meditate, sit on the porch, stare at the stars, have a relaxing lavender bath, let go.
Discover where the madness lies in your life and take action. There are many ways to rewrite your story. Some things are simple. Why didn't we replace the back door light a long time ago? Change your story by noting what is stressful as you go through your day, making a list, then tackling each obstacle as you find time. Some problems can be solved in the moment, others will require a weekend work session or a visit to a therapist or coach. Some will require research into a bigger life change. It may take some effort or creative thinking, but you CAN escape the madness. Get started today!
Comments