I want to go over a few reasons why moving back to the country is what I need. Don't get me wrong.. I love Portland. Portlander's are proud to be from such a popular city. This city is booming with tourism(which explains the abundance of people that can't drive). The local beer, funky doughnuts, local wines, local coffee roasters, craft workshops, craft markets, locally sourced food restaurants, produce markets, mass transit system, and young hip vibe. What isn't there to love?
It is unsustainable. I live in a sustainable living complex.. Which is quite the opposite. It may be Leed certified, and energy efficient, but stacking families on top of eachother for 30 floors, with their dogs, and late night parties on Saturday night is not the way I feel life should be. I am not into trends. I don't work a 9-5. I don't go out because I need to update my facebook page with a picture of what I did on Saturday night to make myself feel like I am worth something. This isn't life. Life isn't doing what is expected of you. Graduate, go to college, get a job, pay off your loans, get married, have kids, buy a house, save for retirement, retire, then finally live out your dreams. Reality is that you should live out your dreams now. Do not do what is expected of you. The system we live in survives off of you being in debt. That is the reason for the guidelines in our lives. To be successful is to find happiness. I feel I will find happiness being surrounded by mountains, and streams, covered bridges, swimming holes, growing all my own food, preserving food, learning hands on skills.We do not live to work, We work to live. It is slavery, but we do it to ourselves. We choose the house that we know we couldn't afford. We do it because we need others to see how successful we are. We work damn hard, why can't we live in a beautiful large home? Right? We do it with our cars, our clothes, cell phones, Ipads, Ipods. Everywhere we can, we all deserve to best. We need to change the way we see reality. Reality is you don't need to bite off more than we can chew. A tiny house by the sea, a cottage, a small cabin. All of these things are things we really want. We want to travel the world but can't find the time. Don't save it till retirement. Find your goals, and make enough money to reach them! We get one life to live. I want to live mine in the slow lane. I am not racing to the finish line. I live to be with family, go camping, swimming, hiking, create, give, photograph, travel, keep the house warm, make some money for simple luxuries, and not be dependent. I hope to inspire all of you to change the way you see reality. Reality is the simple life is much more luxurious, and being back in nature is more sustainable.
Hi Kristina -- just wanted to say -- you go girl!
ReplyDeleteEverything you say here is right on the money -- and I love that you're making a positive choice... seeing the good in where you are and choosing better.
I'm (quite) a bit older than you, but my partner and I recently (5 weeks ago!) did what you're hoping to do. We left our reasonably successful city lives and relocated to a smallholding in Portugal where we'll grow our own food using permaculture methods, gather wood from the forests for our fire, and be independent from the rat race of consumerism and mean-mindedness.
This is the only life we get -- it's too precious to waste on being miserable.
Yeee! Your comment made me so happy. :)
DeleteWe don't need much (none of us do). We plan to be successful in our own ways. The mean-mindedness that you speak of is one of the major reasons I am driven to not work with the hustle and bustle of things anymore. There is a lack of respect for other humans beings on this floating organic space station. I see reality, and I know that I am not part of it until I am outside of the city consumerism, advtertising, brainwashed bubble. As you said-- Life is too precious to waste on being miserable. :)
Perfectly said. PERFECTLY! We are "working" towards paring down. The rat race of Southern California has gotten us nowhere, fast. It's not worth wearing out your body and mind to keep doing the same thing over and over. My husband and I are in our mid 40's with small children and we finally decided, that's it. We are moving from this overly expensive State and going to the South where life drives in first gear. We CAN afford to buy a house there. We CAN make a living doing what we love. We WILL live a happier, more content life. THAT is what I want to teach our children. It's sad to see families that miss out with their children. I am lucky enough to stay home with the kids (I work from home) and teach them about growing our food from our very small garden. I've always loved the old school way of living and I'm surely teaching my children about it. It's a hard thing to do when you live in the middle of the suburban maze. One of the happiest days of my life is yet to come. The day we cross State lines and say good-bye. The tear I'll shed.... happiness. Good luck on your venture and know, there are others out there that feel what you do! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is comments like yours that make me happy I started a blog! I am so happy for you! I hope I can read about your last moments in suburbia, and your new life, and the happiest day of your life yet! I hope I can make my move as inspiring as yours sounds. I am happy to connect with others in the slow lane. :) Thank you!
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