I’m back! I know it’s been quite the hiatus, but a lot has
changed in my life in the last several months since I did my last post. One of
the goals of this blog, was to work on my “Happiness Project,” which really
required myself to evaluate my life, and the things in it that make me happy
and those that don’t. Being able to have an outlet to express my thoughts and
evaluating my life on paper, pushed me to figure out exactly what was missing
in my life. In July the opportunity arose, for us to move from our townhouse we
had been living in for almost 4 years and make the big leap to move to an
acreage outside the city. Although, it was a big change and I was skeptical at
first (especially when I’m used to being a minute from all amenities, grocery
stores, and SHOPPING), I knew it was the right decision.
Growing up a country girl, I often thought about what my children
were missing out on, that I really appreciated about my childhood. Being able to
run and play, climb trees, make forts, dig in the dirt, go for hikes, have
campfires, garden and just get dirty, are things that I want my children to
experience every day. In our townhouse, I was constantly worried about the kids
whenever they left my sight. I never wanted to take me eyes off them for fear
that they’d get hit by a car, or kidnapped or worse. I know I probably shouldn’t
have worried as much as I did, but city living sometimes has its draw backs.
For me I feel it’s so important to let kids be kids, and I felt like I was failing
in this department, when I was being such a “worry wart.”
Being able to offer my children a childhood and environment
like I had growing up, means the world to me and brings me so much happiness.
This fall, the kids were outside playing house with old pots
and pans, stirring in anything they could find in the yard to make “soup” and I
couldn’t help but smile. I can still smell the concoctions, my sisters and I would
come up with, when we made “soup” in the old pots in our sandbox. We’d mix in
rotten tomatoes, rhubarb seeds, moldy cucumbers, basically anything rotten in
mom’s vegetable garden. It was foul smelling, but we’d stay outside for hours
making our gourmet specialties. It’s the little things like this that make me
so grateful for where I am right now.
When expressing how much happier I am since we moved, my
sister said to me, “That’s because country living is good for the soul.” I thought
about it and I totally agree. The longer I live here, the happier I seem to
get. Did you know that living in the country can add up to 2 years to your
life? Not surprising really. It’s funny how mundane chores, are even enjoyable.
Mowing the lawn, composting, raking; I appreciate it all after not having any
yard for years. Even cutting firewood and hauling wheelbarrow loads in the
house, (which drove me nuts as a kid) is enjoyable….nothing beats wood heat! When
stacking the rows of wood, I can hear my dad’s voice telling me how to stack it
just so, to ensure that the rows will be sturdy.
I know I’m sounding a little nostalgic and sentimental, but this
move for us, is proof that changing one thing in your life, can have a monumental
impact on all other areas of your life. I am happier, hubby’s happier, and the
kids are happy. I can’t ask for anything more than that. Making changes in your
life can be overwhelming, and challenging trying to figure out where to start. But, I am
slowly learning that taking baby steps and changing one thing at a time, might
just have the most profound results. Although, my happiness project is still a
work in progress, it turns out for me, that happiness is wide open spaces and a
little dirt under my nails.
Now I’m off to shovel the snow from my driveway, which I’m
going to do with a smile on my face! (I don’t know how long I will be saying
that for!)
Xo Ames
Let me know if you too have experienced a move that was good
for your soul!
Welcome back Amos. We missed you.
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