With big life changes come big life decisions.
The departure of our two eldest children off to start university today made us stop and think.
Although we still have one younger ray of sunshine here with us for another couple of years, we know our autumn has now begun.
Driving 500 miles over the weekend to deliver our two offspring to their new destinations gave us time to think a lot, to talk a lot and to plan a lot.
That interview classic is quite pertinent ... "Where do you want to be in 5 years time?"
Alive would be a good start, alive and in at least moderate good health would be even better.
In five years our youngest will have just passed through university, and the elder two will be graduated and making their way in the world.
I will be 63 and my wife a bit younger.
Running our own business we live with uncertainty. And we have done so now for almost 25 years.
And my Second Life in steem is no more certain. In reality even more so.
So from our 500 miles of driving and thinking we reached some conclusions.
- We must look ahead.
- We must form plans.
- We must make changes.
- We must take decisions.
Reduce and become mobile
Currently we are tied.
Tied to animals. Tied to the homestead. Tied to a business. Tied to steem.
All this gets us into knots of liability and immobility.
So decisions are being made...
Decision No. 1 - Animals
All the animals have to go.
Being over six years old the cockerel exited stage left today. The others will follow shortly.
No eggs makes the vegan easier.
Decision No.2 - Minimalising & Optimising
We are getting rid of lots of things, and optimising what remains.
We may sell some of it. But giving away is more fun. If you want anything just let me know.
Decision No.3 - Car out, Car in
The old petrol car is going. An electric car is coming.
We want to turn over a new Leaf with greener and cheaper mobility.
Desicion No. 4 - Business ... cut & trust
Business changes. A story for another place.
Decision No. 5 - Homestead for sale
We are selling the homestead. That makes me sad. I had thought I would die here. Hopefully now I won't.
Decision No.6 - Steem...
Steem. That comes next.
PROJECTS :
A Dollar A Day charitable giving project : August 2018 - summary of donations received & given out - another $500+ donated
Pennsif's Sustainability Curation Digest for MSP - week ending 23 September 2018
BLOGS :
Pennsif’s Progress – As Steve said, "Do one thing well"
Pennsif’s Progress – Selling Up and Moving On (it's not quite what you think)
RADIO :
The Alternative Lifestyle Show - Friday 14 September 2018 [recording]
Here Comes The News - 13 September 2018 [recording] - with @davidfar, @reko, @newenx, @carlagonz, @ilazramusic, @thedegensloth & @gregorypatrick
[ header image from pixabay.com // dog image by @pennsif ]
Get out and see everything you can.. do everything you can.. even if you shouldn't..
🍻 to freedom
Good words. I feel the days rolling by. And opportunities need to be taken.
Lord @pennsif I believe that whatever you decide, if it is adjusted to the desires of your heart, simply God will support you. The great men, workers, enstusiasta and determinants, always go an extra mile, what you have sown that will reap. There are universal promises for people who have a great purpose and fulfill it, so stripped of all burdens, life will smile because God is with you.
So interested to read and follow you as you do these BIG changes. I'm excited for you! And if you fancy shipping anything over the pond... :-)
Alas I think the shipping costs would be too high to make anything worthwhile...
And our electrics are different I believe.
This is a big change. You don't need around once you've made up your mind, do you?
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I tend to be a fast decision maker.
We got engaged in 3 weeks. We bought our homestead in 3 days.
Not impulsive.
Host of Here Comes The News on MSP Waves Radio.
Founder of the A Dollar A Day charitable giving project.
There comes a time in one's life where tough decisions have to be made. It is better to make them when you are in good health and have a few more options open to you than when you are older and perhaps not in the best of health. With the situation as it is here in Nicaragua, I have come to the conclusion that I have a lot more thinking and planning to do too. It is obvious that we will be starting over somewhere else as a family unit. Will we want to put all the blood, sweat and tears into another homestead? Not likely but time will tell. I look forward to hearing about your adventures in the future, Pennsif.
I hope you are able to find a positive route forward there Ceci.
If you fancy trying a homestead in Wales, let me know 😊
@pennsif, For sure life is uncertain and most of the times we have to adjust with time, but for sure the journey is not easy, but in my opinion if everything would be easy then everything would be boring. In my opinion Uncertainty can bring out Unimaginable.
And yes, sometimes we have to take decisions because every decision hold an action and every action will going to produce particular situation. And when we feel that this is the time to take action then in my opinion truly that is the time because our inner self knows the answers.
Wishing you an great day and stay blessed. 🙂
👍
I wonder, when did this feeling of missing out on the traveling arise?
Currently I cannot wrap my head around the concept that I'll buy a big piece of land with the intent to create a nourishing homestead, a homebase, a place to put down roots, only to sell it because I haven't traveled a lot or seen the world?
Maybe I'm not this type of person, but I cannot imagine if I wanted to travel to ever be thinking about settling down and homesteading.
Was it like a gradual change of mind or was it a sudden change of course, after you realised the kids are going away to the uni?
excellent post, I want see more posts about life made by you <3 I appreciate it. Please see my last posts, resteem, upvote and comment. I have something about my little dog and a paint of Joy from Jesse and Joy
I hope great fortune for you friend <3 Fighting! I am fighting too from Venezuela
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Looking forward to the unveiling of #6 Pennsif.
One could grow old with purpose as a Steem Whale. Wealth and responsibility - all the while remaining mobile and free of time constraints. Sounds a good life to me.
SirKnight.
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Just do whatever makes you happy and enjoy your life brother!
Best wishes @pennsif!
I have been wondering about homesteading when you get older. Interesting as well that you are freeing your constraints.
Always good to reflect! The hard part is to always keep reflecting! Good to see Steem on your plan!
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I see what you did there ;)
Good on you for making these decisions in time so you and your wife get to make them instead of them being forced on you in some ways.