What is your "dream" simple life?

[ToomuchStuff]

I had accomplished my dreams (not the fantasies of if one was rich, etc), by the time I was 25. I has always thought I would be dead by 30 (not sure by whose hand), and then (25) was around when so much stuff hit the fan in my life and lasted for a few years (looked at being homeless, etc). Part of me wondered what it would be like to travel, but years ago, I thought that the military would be a way for me to do that and pay for school, effectively escape. Medically disqualified and that went away. So other dreams took over (what happens when dreams compete). But those things happen when your raised with the idea that you are multiple people (the one you are and the one others believe your going to be).
I have talked about my dream home, a monolithic dome (compare it to typical construction), and how it would allow for other activities (give me a larger shop with a small home). I enjoy tinkering and would continue to do so (can see myself being more like Burt Monro, see the World's Fastest Indian). But that movie in a lot of ways, seems to be what this site is about, finding and living your dreams, no matter the views, expectations and beliefs of others.

[Stacy]

I recommend reading the book "Playing Big" by Tara Mohr. It's a good guidebook for this type of thing.

Kestra- Thanks for the book recommendation! I've been devouring it all week, even taking it to work to read on my breaks.

I loved the visualization exercise in the book, in which you get yourself into a meditative state and imagine you're meeting the person you want to be 20 years in the future. You are arriving at her house and she is welcoming you in. You're supposed to let your mind take you where it wants to go and see what it comes up with.

So I did this exercise and found that indeed, this person is living the life I had talked about in this thread - living by a lake, writing and making art. But with more details. She wears bohemian-style clothing- long, flowing skirts and colorful draping tops- clothes I love but rarely wear in real life. She's in her 60's, but her face still appears youthful because of her zest for life. Her home is a bright and sunny cottage filled with art, her own and other people's. She welcomes in many guests. We used to do that, but stopped for various reasons.

I got some interesting details out of this exercise: like the exact name of the town I'd like to live in. It's a tiny place near a national forest where people go for the swimming, boating, and fishing. It's pretty close to a couple very touristy big towns, perfect for someone who's selling art. It's also close to where I grew up, so I have lots of fond memories of summer days at the nearby lakes.

So she's selling art and writing to make money, and also seems to teach the occasional class. However, she is not employed full-time as a teacher or in any other job. This is the part that makes me realize that once again, I've been on the wrong path. I've been planning to go back to school and become a teacher. However, I have been indecisive as to what exactly I'm going to teach and to whom. I'd be good at it, I think, but the idea of getting ensnared into a job I can't just try out and leave easily if I don't like it has been making me wonder if this is the right path, or if this is one more thing I'm getting into because somebody else thinks I should. People act like I should be more practical, but I'm really not a practical person. I'm a hard worker, but I've never held any job for more than five years. So I should just stop fighting it. One of my aunts was an artist and nobody ever questioned it. She was well-known in the local area for her work, and she owned it. No reason I can't do the same.

[Ultralight]

Kestra- Thanks for the book recommendation! I've been devouring it all week, even taking it to work to read on my breaks.

I loved the visualization exercise in the book, in which you get yourself into a meditative state and imagine you're meeting the person you want to be 20 years in the future. You are arriving at her house and she is welcoming you in. You're supposed to let your mind take you where it wants to go and see what it comes up with.

So I did this exercise and found that indeed, this person is living the life I had talked about in this thread - living by a lake, writing and making art. But with more details. She wears bohemian-style clothing- long, flowing skirts and colorful draping tops- clothes I love but rarely wear in real life. She's in her 60's, but her face still appears youthful because of her zest for life. Her home is a bright and sunny cottage filled with art, her own and other people's. She welcomes in many guests. We used to do that, but stopped for various reasons.

I got some interesting details out of this exercise: like the exact name of the town I'd like to live in. It's a tiny place near a national forest where people go for the swimming, boating, and fishing. It's pretty close to a couple very touristy big towns, perfect for someone who's selling art. It's also close to where I grew up, so I have lots of fond memories of summer days at the nearby lakes.

So she's selling art and writing to make money, and also seems to teach the occasional class. However, she is not employed full-time as a teacher or in any other job. This is the part that makes me realize that once again, I've been on the wrong path. I've been planning to go back to school and become a teacher. However, I have been indecisive as to what exactly I'm going to teach and to whom. I'd be good at it, I think, but the idea of getting ensnared into a job I can't just try out and leave easily if I don't like it has been making me wonder if this is the right path, or if this is one more thing I'm getting into because somebody else thinks I should. People act like I should be more practical, but I'm really not a practical person. I'm a hard worker, but I've never held any job for more than five years. So I should just stop fighting it. One of my aunts was an artist and nobody ever questioned it. She was well-known in the local area for her work, and she owned it. No reason I can't do the same.

Hmmm... now I am intrigued by this book.

[Kestra]

Stacy - thanks for the update. That's really fascinating about your visualization, especially the part about the exact town name. I haven't heard that from anyone else. I'll admit I haven't done the exercises myself, (just read the book quickly) as I feel I'm already living the dream, but many of my online friends have done all of it and love the book.

Jake, you should check it out. It's good if you're feeling stuck in your life. Just ignore all the directed at women stuff. I really don't see that men don't have most of the same problems. Perhaps there is some cultural socialization that means it's more likely for a woman than a man, to "not play big", but it's certainly not only applicable to the one gender.

[Stacy]

Yeah, I was really surprised about the town, because it was not somewhere I'd ever consciously considered living, even though I've been there many times. I always thought about the city of 20,000 people that is nearby, because it's very similar to where I'm living now. But maybe I'm ready for small town living again.
I told my husband about this, and he seemed very intrigued and we had a nice "what if..." discussion. That's a good sign, as he hasn't considered moving back up to that area for a long time. I'm hoping I can get him on board.

[TxZen]

Little cottage by the Gulf Coast...I actually like working now that I left the corporate collar, so I would like to be able to work from pure enjoyment of doing the work I do. I am interested in my creative side once again, but don't know where that is going to pan out, so just going with it. I would also like to volunteer at a zoo or aquarium. It's just convincing hubby to let go of some preconceived ideas of what success is. Slowly working on him- this last vacation was the first time I had seen him relax in a long time. More of that please!!!