Heart, you are doing an amazing job at keeping the ball rolling on life in the midst of the chaos and stress and exhaustion of packing. I know you hate moving. I know you hate living and working in a home that looks like the entire contents of your life have been vomited out of the cupboards and into the middle of the lounge room floor. You’re working so hard! I see it and I appreciate it. I know you’re longing for a simpler life and this feels like the exact opposite.
We’re doing this for that dream – so we can get ourselves free of the push of Sydney. So that instead of planes and traffic and construction and noisy late-night neighbours, you’ll hear the creek and the wind and the waves outside the van and you’ll get up to do a wee and see the stars. Ah the stars!! So brilliant and breathtakingly high-definition!
Despite the light bulb only being invented less than 150 years ago, we are losing site of the stars. A third of the world’s population can no longer see the Milky Way because of the light pollution surrounding our cities. You’re not alone in the feeling that life wasn’t meant to be lived this way. It’s not normal.
So, we’re getting in our van and going to Tasmania where you can still see the stars (because ten people live in Sydney for every one person on the whole of Tassie). You’re going to breathe clean, clean air, swim in cold, cold water, watch the mountains change as the light moves over them and float on your back in the creek in the sun as the clouds float with you.
You’re going to eat good, simple food that nourishes you, picked straight from your brother’s garden. You’re going to go on walks in the bush while your Mum points out native orchids, snap off tightly furled bracken buds to prevent them overtaking the track, pick the last of the summer’s blackberries and learn everything your sister knows about foraging for mushrooms. You’re going to laugh your head off with your siblings and your Mum as she laughs at herself and your Dad pretends not to smile.
You’re going to pull your van up at Bay of Fires and sleep with the door open right next to the beach. You’re going to eat lobster your husband caught, cooked on the fire, and go to bed with salty skin and your hair smelling of smoke. Pull mussels from the rocks and eat them within hours, simmered in garlic and white wine. You’ll work in the most open plan office of your life and do good work with the fresh air on your face keeping you alert and the promise of a swim or walk on your lunch break.
Heart, I know you weren’t built to be a city dweller. Hang in there, ok? I’m going to get you free.
This made me tearful. Such beautiful words. I love you’re heart speaking. This has inspired me to journal and speak to my heart. X
Thank you for being my first commenter, Luce!!
Super, duper sad to be leaving you but glad that you can share some of the adventure with me in spirit (until you move to Tassie obviously). P.S. I wrote this blog accidentally when I was doing my morning pages – you totes need to do the artist way! Maybe that’s something you and the Chehade-Jameses/ Steches could consider. xxxx
Good idea. I remember that colleen and I said we would do it together? But that’s a great idea for us to do together on Tuesdays.
Ummm… I will have huge FOMO if you and Col do it together…
Lucinda’s loss…. our gain! Sorry Lucy! We are so looking forward to having you on ‘the island’.
I’m planning the welcome meal…lamb grown by the farmer down the hill and lots of fresh organ veg from your brother’s farm. It’s getting chilly and we’ll have the fire lit, lots of love from mum
Oh Mum, I can’t wait. Looking forward to a cosy evening, a yummy meal and a mama hug. P.S. What is ‘organ veg’? Kidney shaped beetroots? 😉
I’m so glad you’re writing for you and can’t wait to see what unfolds in your adventures! We are taking some of our own this year with long service leave and a camper trailer! Al the best xx
Good for you Kim! So many people think it can’t be done with a small family, but anything is possible if you’re willing to deviate from the usual flow of life, don’t you think? Keep me posted on your adventures, we might cross paths!! x
“Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream.” Inspired by E.J Horsley, if you ponder it, there’s some wisdom there. Xx
Oh EJ, you’re like a miniature Buddha… covered in hair… (except only on her pretty head, unlike Baxter of Anchor Man fame). P.S. Do you recognise those stones beneath my feet?
Oh Tabitha. Stop it. Now all I want to do is escape. 😫😭
Actually don’t stop. I love this. So happy for you. xx
Do it, Sare!! I’m sure Hannah would be more than happy to have you living near her!
I loved reading this blog, it filled my heart up so that it nearly burst. Completely relate, and you’ve captured the feeling so perfectly in words. thank you for sharing your writing with the world… and me 🙂 bnz xxx
I loves ya Bunzy. x
“Heart, I know you weren’t built to be a city dweller. Hang in there, ok? I’m going to get you free”
I love this, it brings tears to my eyes and it is something that we have been able to experience for a couple of years now, although I think that our hearts were talking before then.
“So, we’re getting in our van and going to Tasmania where you can still see the stars”
YUP.
And some places are better for this than others……….
All the best guys.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Allan. Makes me so happy that it resonates with people. See you soon!
Hi Tabitha, I believe we’ve met once or twice at the Meeting Place and perhaps Faith and the Arts in Poa? I just wanted to say that your words speak so much of what my own heart desires and I just so relate to everything you’ve written here! I’m quitting my job here in Sydney next month and taking an extended period of time off next year to just “be” and I so long to experience ALL of the things you’ve written to your own heart about here! You’ve inspired me! I’m going to write down a list of natural wonders I want to make a priority of experiencing during my time off and make it happen. Thank you for sharing this with the world xx
Hello Sophie! Thank you for these kind words. I was just feeling this week that maybe I was crazy for baring my soul in such the weirdly public forum that is the interwebs, so THANK YOU for this excellently timed comment. I hope maybe a retreat to Faith and the Arts this January might be part of your upcoming adventure? It would be wonderful to connect more! x
P.S. This is my favourite of my blogs so doubly chuffed that you took the time to read it and leave a comment.
No its not natural. Your heart screams for the ocean, the forests, the rivers, the trees, I have been on this journey for nearly a year. I am so much happier even though I seem to have lost all my old friends. We live next to the ocean so have daily contact with Nature. Its exhilarating and reminds you that you are part of the greater cosmos.
I love the way you put this, Tracey. Always a joy to connect with someone who “gets it” and I’m sorry your old friends didn’t seem to. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! Hoping 2019 brings you a real sense of connectedness and community. xx
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