What is different?

I’ve been feeling so much lighter and wondering why? I can’t quite figure it out…. but here are some changes to my life ….I am not scheduling activities, people or events into my daily life anymore. I am not spending money on stuff I don’t need other than coffee out once in a while, or a bottle of wine if company arrives. I have no real plans other than sailing towards Scandinavia..To many, this may sound overwhelming and a huge undertaking, however, this seems to just unfold at an easy and comfortable pace. Maybe it is the pace that changes everything… PACE!

My everyday is so different than ever before. I have experienced more peace day to day, I am relaxed and at ease. Some might wonder if I ever get bored. So far, I have not experienced boredom. I go for walks, do yoga on the beach, write, read, bake, cook, do projects on the boat, see sailing folks…. There is always lots to do! But never do I feel stressed about getting it done!

I feel joy in everything I do now. I appreciate the small things… cliche’ perhaps but I didn’t notice them before….before I started to sail and before I left Nanaimo. Every day I spend away from my old life, I find more and more joy in the things I do, from baking daily bread to changing the oil on the engine. Perhaps, this is, partly, being retired. But I am not so sure I would feel this way if I had stayed …. I did make a choice to retire early, sell my home, buy a boat and leave my hometown of 25 years. I decided to live a different life than most and it has proven to be the best thing I could ever have done for me, at this time in my life.

I never felt well connected to many people. I never felt well connected to my job. I never felt well connected to my community. I looked for connection but never quite found what I was looking for. I feel connected to what I do now! I feel connected to my learning. I feel connected to my journey and future. I feel connected to myself on a deeper level. And with that comes confidence.

I am feeling more confident being away from a culture that silently and subtlely (and at times blatantly) doubt women (as a whole) as capable outside of the realm of (gender) traditional activities. Confidence!

I do not miss any of the “things” I sold or gave away. I have a small home, just enough clothing, some items from my past and just enough food in a very small fridge. I am forced to be creative. Simplicity!

Pace. Learning. Joy. Confidence. Simplicity.

Now the planning starts for the passage to French Polynesia.