Selectively Juggling

One part of me would love to sell up and buy an acreage approximately 2-4 hours outside of Sydney. I would try and create an almost self-subsistence lifestyle. However, we would also run a country retreat for people to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. A place surrounded by pristine nature, waterways, flora and fauna. We would ensure that is it completely accessible, especially for people and families touched by disabilities. I would do all the cooking and homemade baking, specialising in gluten free and vegan cuisine. I would run meditative bushwalking groups, as well as photography sessions. I would host a writing group, aimed at writing as a form of therapy. My husband would find enjoyment in running other types of groups and workshops, plus learning how to help keep us off grid. I can’t imagine my kids in this lifestyle dream (so it’s likely to always be a dream) I would also focus on writing and photography.

The risk would be to give up all the comforts of our careers, home and city living, and risk it on the dream of living more organically, more authentically. So, in the interim I embrace my dream and try to embed it in my everyday life. We have solar power and battery which covers the electricity used (although we are on the city grid) I have a good small backyard garden, with a myriad of plants, including fruit and vegetables. We have an abundance of birds, bees, butterflies and other visiting critters. I write, I photograph in my spare time. It is a huge risk to try to reach for the ‘whole dream’ as I have a daughter with a rare genetic disorder, who will always require additional supports and services. My 18yo son who is at university has immunoglobulin deficiency and requires weekly plasma infusions, so that is another cord that binds us to our current reality. Perhaps, the risk is not taking the opportunity to marry my dreams with my reality. That is, not taking the little achievable steps along the way. Perhaps I can’t or won’t metaphorically climb my Mt Everest of dreams, but perhaps I can create an incredible meandering journey through undulating hills. It’s well worth the risk.