The dream is a reality

Friday, October 16, 2015
Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Well, I finally did it. I sold my house. It settled 3 days ago. For anyone who thinks this was a rash or impulsive decision, then I can tell you it was the least impulsive thing I've ever done! 
 Mum said, " it's hard to believe you got rid of everything you owned in a week! " That's because I didn't! " I've been working toward this for 2 years . Chipping away at decluttering, step by step moving closer to a life which doesn't revolve around material possessions. That's not something which happens overnight. 
I guess it started when we moved to Tathra 9 years ago. Leaving behind a large Canberra home to start a new life at the beach in what was not much more than the quintessential beach shack. However, I did what so many people do when they make a big life change, I changed my circumstances, but I didn't change my self or my thinking. And the result of that was that I just recreated the large house and garden and all the stress and responsibilities which came along with those.
Fortunately every time the twins and I went overseas ( which was regularly) I was reminded of what truly makes me happy, and that is a life in its simplest form with few possessions but lots of adventures and time to spend connecting with other people.  
I never imagined for a moment , when the twins were little , that I would still be single when it was time for them to fly the nest, but that's exactly what happened , and staying behind in that too large vacuous nest was definitely not an option! 
Originally, my plan was to rent the house and become a locum dentist which would enable me to work only part of the year leaving lots of time for travel and adventure and less time for feeling lonely and sorry for myself! 
The plan worked well . The income from the rented house helped support my son at Uni and the 4 months work per year funded my travels. This is because whenever I do work, I get accommodation, car, fuel and food supplied allowing me to save just about every cent I earn.
When I travel I fly economy and outside school holidays when I can. I stay in homestays, with friends and family and eat local. It's not only cheap but I like it that way because it's friendlier! 
I've been living out of a backpack for 2 years now. I have a few secret stashes of clothes in Ireland, Gili T, and Melbourne but for most part I have everything I need in a 20kg bag.
How is this possible ? 
Like everything else, you just need to change your thinking about clothes.
Firstly, get used to wearing the same thing. If you choose your clothes well enough that's no problem. When was the last time you didn't want to hang out with a really good friend cos they were wearing the same jeans and t shirt as last time you saw them? Did you even notice? What are clothes? Are they something you wear to make a statement, or like a dress-up to try and impress? What about clothes being something comfortable, clean and practical to cover the body . Now I'm not advocating the donning of the saffron robe for everyone, or even myself (yet) ;) but I can say from experience that the more you work on the inner person, the less importance the outer has. 
It's the same for buying other things too, not just clothes. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still challenged by the desire to buy 'stuff'. Clothes, excess toiletries, trinkets. But I'm now aware of an underlying desire at play when I want to shop and it's rarely beacuse I need whtaever it is that has taken my fancy. I now recognise , but don't fully understand yet, that there is something lacking in me at that moment , which spoiling myself with a new purchase will only temporarily assuage. The question being..do I need it, or want it? And why? Sometimes I give in to the urge. But it has to be light, and with clothes, something has to go to make room.
So..2 years ago I never dreamed I'd sell my house, the family home. I guess I thought I'd find that someone special to share it with. Maybe the kids would come back. I didn't really know but the thought of traveling longterm with nowhere to return to was too scary. Like a flying trapeze with no safety net. 
But, just one of the great things about regular excursions outside the comfort zone is that personal growth happens which facilitates new ways of thinking.. Things I never dreamt of before. And so after 2 years of practising gypsy life, I am now finally ready to embrace it because I have realised what I already knew deep down, that home is not a building but the love that is contained within that place. That love being my kids. And I'd rather spend time with them wherever in the world they are , than in a house only filled with the memories of them.
Nevertheless, I was a mixed bag of emotions in the lead up to the sale of the house. They ranged from manic to tears, but in the end, when it was done, the prevailing one was relief.
I'm ready to be unburdened, to find out what I'm capable of when I have more head space to spare. Writing for one! 
After 4 homes and 22yrs of accumulating household items, everything I own now fits into some boxes in a tiny garden shed. And most of those are things of sentimental value.
Confronting...yes. Liberating...very.
It's not for everyone this gypsy life and it's not for me for ever. But it is perfect now and the perfect counterbalance to all those years of bringing up kids, running a home and being a working single Mum.

What I would ask is this. Are your possessions making you happy , or weighing you down?
Can you imagine a life which would be more fulfilling than the one you are living? And if so, are you prepared to make sacrifices to get it?
Living an extra ordinary life takes courage and letting go. But it's worth it...10 times over :)

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Comments

Ina
2015-10-16

Super!! Good excample!

Lesley
2015-10-16

Truly Inspirational lady.

Natalie Russell
2015-10-16

i love you Di and your courage I am heading in this direction myself :-) stay well and safe always may we keep challenging ourselves in this life time and loving life and ourselves xxxx

Matt & Bex
2015-10-16

Amazing Di, so pleased you've taken the plunge. Hope to see you somewhere on our travels in the not too distant future xxx

2025-02-17

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