So, Mission Accomplished?

Since departing Australia more than 3 months ago, jobless, homeless and living on our savings, we've come a very long way.

It seems like forever and a day since I resigned my post at Loop, packed up my desk, and boarded that plane, and almost just as long since I shook hands with the man who sold us the car that Rhett now loves to pretend to drive on a daily basis.

But, the question on our lips is 'are we done?'.

How long will it be before this lifestyle comes to a grinding halt, and we return to the real world?

To answer that, it's simply a case of knowing if each objective has been achieved or not, or indeed if it is achievable here in the middle of nowhere.

So, here it goes:

Spend more time together
Probably our top priority. We spend every day together, and often help each other out with tasks around the house and the workplace. We all hang the washing out together, we eat each and every meal together, we play together, anytime we want. It's a bit like being The Waltons (but with only 3 of them).
Verdict:
Mission Accomplished. Life is very short, and seeing us together like this will stay with us all forever. Working all the hours God sends for the corporate monster seems like a thing of my past currently and I truly hope to hang onto at least some of what I've had in the past 3 months if and when I return to the real world.


Be More Creative
Another core reason to do this was to engage my true inner talents and turn them into a commercial success, thus stepping away from design. Whilst I always knew becoming a full time illustrator wouldn't happen in such a short space of time, I should have a feel as to whether I'm on track to succeed or not. 
But the biggest downside here in Campbeltown is the lack of inspiration - something I probably didn't even consider before we arrived. It is truly the dullest place I've ever visited, and coupled with the lack of ability to buy materials, or sit in a cool coffee shop to get the motivation levels firing on all cylinders, the creative process is proving to be somewhat harder than I've ever experienced before. 
Verdict:
Evens. I do feel like I'm getting into the swing of my true inner self, and I do scribble more often than not, but I'm frustrated on a daily basis. Gone are the days of being able to change the surroundings to stoke the flames of creativity, and I'm totally unsure currently which train I need to board to get to where I'm going. A real worry.


Don't go broke
We entered this project with a bag of cash, and we still seem to be in the black. But with nothing to spend money on here, there is a constantly nagging voice in my ear saying 'you need a treat' - which usually leads directly to the cream cake section in Tesco's. Not good for my arteries. 
Verdict:
Mission Accomplished. I'd imagine the biggest reason people don't take a sabbatical is financial, and yet with a couple of small freelance jobs along the way, we seem to be in the same financial position we were when we started back in January. Certainly we could easily keep going if it were down to cash alone.


Take a breather
After clocking up so many hours in the real world, switching off for a decent amount of time was also a key reason for doing this. As Ferris Bueller once said - Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. 
Verdict:
Well, with my last post 'The Joy Of Pottering' I think this has to be Mission Accomplished. I certainly don't currently feel the stresses and strains of life that I used to feel, and I do feel ready for the next big fix - whatever that is. Our close friend Carly said recently our that one of our biggest problems was our inability to 'relax', and I think she's right. But equally, I do seem to have become far more lazy since being here, a trait I really don't want to develop further.



Overall, the decision to take a sabbatical is one I'll never regret. It's shown me so much about how you can just give it all up and hit the road, and that when things don't go quite to plan, there's always a way. Isn't that ultimately what life is anyway?

I've learnt that you don't need huge amounts of money to keep the stress levels down, and I've also learnt just how much money I used to waste. I've learnt that children are easy if only you give them your time, and I've learnt that the most important thing in life is not work. I've learnt a huge amount, most of which I probably don't even realise yet.

I've learnt that I really do love pencils, and that I hate pens, that practice does make perfect, and that a little each day keeps you in much better shape than huge pushes followed by huge lulls. I've learnt that I like drawing people far more than animals or cars, and that I feel naked without my sketchbook or camera, even if I'm only popping into town to buy milk.

But can we continue to live like this?

Its not so much a question of 'can' - it's more 'do we want to'.

The funny thing is, I truly miss work - something I never thought I'd say. Whilst I don't miss the politics, I do miss people, and the challenges they throw up. I miss the banter, and the plastic crap all over my desk. I miss being in a city and having a home that doesn't smell of damp.

I miss much about my old life, and I'd like much of it back.

But there are also many aspects of this new life I equally don't want to lose.

Mission Accomplished? I think the mission has now changed to 'get the perfect balance'. We never had it in London, nor in Sydney, and we sure as hell don't have it here. Finding it might prove mission impossible, but I think its ultimately the next big fix.

The Joy Of Pottering

Pottering is something old people do, isn't it? It's certainly something my Mum does around her garden on spring days anyway. It's not really something I've ever considered 'getting into'.

But something has happened to me since moving to Argyll.

The property we live on is dilapidated, and carries with it such a long list of things to mend and fix that we'll never complete all tasks set. This has led us to having the mindset of a pottering old retired couple.

Yet it's a world away from the life we're used to, and I'm surprised we've adapted at all.

The main difference is in not having an objective - you just sort of do whatever takes your fancy at any given moment, without care of getting the job completed. The joy comes when you do finish something you never really set out to do it in the first place.

Top 5 potters:

Washing the car:  

Use a bucket of water rather than a hose, not to conserve water, but to waste time. It makes you do a better job, and your toddler can help. Vacuum the inside out at the same time for a true home-style valet. 

Painting: 

Just crack open a tin of the nearest paint, grab a massive brush, and exercise those arms. Don't worry about masking anything off, if you paint the grass just cut it back. Tired old fences or garage doors will look shiny and new in no time, and with little effort.

Feeding the birds:

Either buy a feeder, or make one out if an empty loo roll, covered in peanut butter and bird seed. It makes you feel good that you're helping such tiny creatures, and brings further smiles when you see them scoffing your home made treats without complaint.

Watering the flowers: 

Simply fill up the watering can, and wander around sprinkling randomly. This also encourages the planting of seeds and bulbs, thus creating a spectacular festival of colour in your garden (according to the packet anyway).

Going for a walk:

Walking round the block is something teenagers do to cause mischief, and pensioners do to prevent their joints seizing up. But wandering aimlessly is a great way to get inspired. Use this important time to think about whats really important to you. 

Pottering. Give it a try.