I knew that when we moved, my life would change. I'm good at expecting change. Change was once my middle name. What I'm less good at is predicting exactly what form that change might take and so, this is where I find myself still adjusting to a new life because that's what it is: not just a new house, but a new life.
Being in our new home and surroundings is having a profound effect on me. As I drive down the lane towards the cottage and then, more markedly, as I walk through the garden gate I feel physical change. Every single time. For a start my shoulders drop an inch or six. I breathe more deeply. My body relaxes as it feels the embrace of 'green' - the garden, the trees, the butterflies, birds and grazing horses.
While our Aussie family were visiting we had what seems to have been our summer. All ten days of it. We stopped looking at clocks and calendars and just went with the flow. The kids slept when they were tired and so did we. We ate outside at 10pm (which may be normal where you are but for an Englishwoman it's a rare treat) in awe of the beauty around us; we went for long walks mid-evening that went everywhere and nowhere but always home; we watched our world and each other and not the television.
Or the laptop screen.
And it was wonderful.
Of course it's usually wonderful to be on holiday and re-entry is always hard. But life doesn't stay in holiday mode even when you get to stay in the holiday cottage as we have. I know much of what I'm experiencing is just re-entry and it's not a negative feeling, it's just very distracting. And it's making me wonder how much of that other life I can incorporate into every day. I think the answer is,"A lot". I think the feeling I get when I get home is more than existential endorphins, I think it's me being told,"Look what you have, feel how it feels, take it with you wherever you go and whatever you do."
So that's what I'm going to try.
I mentioned earlier that not being on the internet was lovely and it was BUT, I also know that I really heart the internet and the lovely people I know out there (oh and particularly you...over there...yes you). I know that, especially once the year's rolled on and the nights have rolled in I'll be running back to my trusty laptop. So why desert it now? Why not find a way to work it in to my new improved life? After all, I have photographic and blogging ambitions to enthusiastically pursue and they need the internet and blogs and online stores and Twitter and all those goodies (I'm really not liking Facebook at the moment so I'll hold off on that).
So no "That's it! I'm off to have a Real Life in the country!" for me. No sir. Because the internet is part of my real life. It IS real life. However, the way I run my life - or indeed the absence of a way of running my life - is going to change. Suddenly I have way more to do and what seems like less time in which to do it. I need to get my act together.
I love this blog design because it's just right for where I'm going. I love my plans and dreams because they fit right into this environment. It's all good. Just a little new and yes, overwhelming at times. In a lucky, abundant, gratitude-inspiring, deep breaths, throw back your head and laugh kind of way.
