As Summer travel adventures come to a close I can’t help but reflect on the one of the biggest change agents in my life thus far. Three years ago at the dawn of the minimalist and lifestyle design movement I sold everything and moved abroad indefinitely. One minute I was sitting in my San Francisco downtown studio with everything I could ever need or want, and the next I was toting everything I owned on my back in Australia.
That one leap drastically altered my reality and sense of control. I tossed convention to the wind daring to do what some people only dream of doing. I forced myself to be alone and deal with my thoughts and fears everyday. Pilates, yoga, and meditation quickly became my grounding tools.
And though I don’t live out of two backpacks anymore, that trip was a game changer. I look at the world with new eyes as I set up retreats abroad and travel almost every weekend. Reality has shifted to what I make of it. My own thoughts and actions are the only thing standing in my way. It all begins with moment to moment intention or thought. Take the few moments before your day begins to set the wheels of change in motion. Repeat a positive mantra and act on your dreams.
We all harbor what it takes to sculpt our reality. If only we can consciously step out of our own way! We are the only thing holding ourselves back from shining bright. This brings to mind Billy Beane, a local hero from right over the Bay Bridge in Oakland, CA. A man who defied all odds to pursue his passion for baseball.
“Moneyball” is the story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing radical strategies and statistics that flew in the face of conventional wisdom.
Moneyball, in theaters September 23rd. Based on a true story, starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Click Here For More.
What person or event radically changed your path?
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sony Pictures via Glam Media The opinions expressed herin are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sony Pictures.
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Similarly, I was living on the bay in a town published in Forbes, USA Today, People Mag., Southern Mag., and many others for it’s affluence and peacefulness (Fairhope, AL). I lived in probably one of the nicest cottages in the south on the bay with a dock and swing, put together by pieces of man-made woods. The Oil Spill occurred while the economy collapsed. I told myself it was time to leave my comfort zone and discover more of what I had yet to realize. I sold all of my furniture, belongings, and I purchased an REI backpack and without thinking of what could go wrong or lack, I set out from the Gulf-coast between Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL and embarked on a journey towards the west ending in SF-Oakland (Piedmont). I had experienced much in my life, yet, this step was energizing!
The energy was incredible, the unknown enlightening, and I met many different souls–the education incredible while I no longer possessed comfort zone thinking. I truly faced liberation so close it’s breath left moisture on my face as I smiled at the unknown. I am absolutely free.
Conner- wonderful to hear your story! I have never felt as free either. How is the bay area treating you thu far? Welcome!
Drat you! Between you, Betsy and Warren with marriedwithluggage.com, Chris @ artofnonconformity.com and others I am developing a burning desire to sell everything and start journeying again.
Rob- haha it’s wonderful! I still live very minimally and wouldn’t have it any other way. I get rid of something every time I take something on. At least once in life experiment with owning less. We can all afford to cut our attachments and reduce our consumption. I dare you!
I used to be able to move in one van. Now, not so much.
I have a two-year plan to accumulate a little more free cash. Well, a lot more, continue purging the house of possessions, and then either sell the house or rent it to some good friends who are thinking of moving back into the area.
I actually *live* minimally – I just have a lot of stuff that I don’t use. I’ve purged two entire bookshelves worth of books, and have another two to go before I’m down to books that are one-offs or memories. Much of the rest of my stuff is the collection of what you need to maintain a house and garden. A startling number of tools and “things”, actually.
Anyway.. having a plan is better than not, provided I succeed in implementing it.
And I’m doing the journeying anyway. I hid NZ in Jan/Feb of this year, I’m off to Croatia in 3 weeks and then off to Thailand for 2-3 weeks in Jan/Feb before heading to Europe for a month in June. The travel slows down the “accumulate lots of cash” but sure makes working more tolerable!
Hi all!
I, too, am in the middle of a massive life change… my home is listed, I have been selling off my stuff and am in the middle of searching for a motorhome to take on the road… just me, my yoga mat, my dog and my cat. I’m heading first to Mexico where I’m hosting a retreat in Tulum in February and then from there… who knows!!! This is my story here:http://www.pureblissyoga.ca/2011/10/look-out-rapunzel
Looking forward to the journey… the house I’m in currently is the longest I have lived anywhere in my whole life and it feels a little weird to be leaving… but at the same time, I’m super excited to see what lies ahead for me!
Fantastic Richelle! I’m so excited for you to begin your adventure. I haven’t been to Tulum, but hear wonderful things. Retreats are so much fun! The world is abundant. We just have to untether ourselves sometimes and fly free for a bit. Can’t wait to hear how your journey develops.