More Than One Way

Ooooh, it's getting really chilly here in New England, especially at night. While there's something invigorating about this change in the weather, the afternoon sunshine is welcome and I sometimes feel like a cat looking for a spot where there's a ray of warmth radiating through a window pane. As I've mentioned before, starting seven years ago, I created a "tradition" of leaving Boston, Massachusetts in September and driving cross-country to S Oregon. This meant that I haven't experienced the crispness of autumn in this area for all that time. It's been interesting changing up my plans and I've had a lot of people ask, "Aren't you usually on the road by now?". The answer is, "Yes", and this year I changed it up!

I admit I live an unconventional life. I don't own a home or even rent an apartment on a regular, long-term basis. Airbnb provides me with a variety of locations and types of accommodations. While I've had a sort of "routine" for the past several years and people "expect" me to be heading west in the fall, I also get the question, "So, how long will you stay on the west coast?". My answer is a shrug and an honest "I don't know". I do have some boxes in storage along with a bookcase or two and a table and lamp. Other than that, I would need to at least get a bed if I decide to create a home base (which has definitely been on my mind for that last year or so). Even though I've been looking quite seriously, I haven't found the perfect place, yet, and that's ok for now.

This is what my freedom looks like and fairly often someone will say they wish they had my life or my purple hair or my lack of a mortgage or whatever -- something very specific to how things are for me. I've learned that what they're really saying is that they would like their version of it, their sense of flexibility and power over their circumstances.

So what would YOU like? There's no one way, one size that fits all. What lights you up? What causes you to hum? I love being on the road and visiting friends in different parts of the country (and eventually the world, again). I love trying out new and different living spaces and knowing I can move someplace else if a certain area doesn't appeal to me. I love using my nursing skills to bring in some income and also exploring other avenues like working on organic farms or taking orders for a big company via phone. I love seeing what else I can do to be useful and still pay my bills. I especially love being able to spend time with my adult children, wherever they are.

Maybe you love to bake and would like to start a business around that? Or, maybe downsizing sounds appealing to you? Perhaps you used to paint or draw and you yearn to return to that creative side of yourself? These are all things that are really important and play a big part in your overall well-being. When we feel happy and fulfilled, our immune system gets a big boost. Finding pleasure is as essential a nutrient as Vitamin C!

It's good to be inspired by what other people are doing to create a life of joy and it's just as crucial to realize that there are many ways to have the life you might desire. Pay attention to what lifts you and also what brings you down and create what you want and need. There's more than one way to accomplish this and it's a lot easier to do with someone on your side. If you're craving some change in your life, let's have a chat. Contact me cummingsbarbara@gmail.com.

Happy Healthy Habit Hump Day,