Comments on: Reschooling this Spring, at Home and Abroad

By: Melia

Melia — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:11:21 +0000

I’ve thought a lot about this question. If I felt that I were compromising the project or my autonomy by moving to Jackson, I wouldn’t do it now. Fortunately, that’s not the case. I would be fine living or reschooling or traveling alone, but I’ve found that these things are more fun and interesting when Darren shares them with me. Since my goal for the spring is to create a lifestyle and continuing education that I can sustain long-term, it makes sense to build my partner into this equation.

With the thoughtful questions you’re asking, Joe, it would be nice to know your real name and how you came to comment on the blog.

By: joe

joe — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:33:04 +0000

sounds like you’re doing a great job so far. but i’m wondering if self-sufficiency is the goal, why are you depending on your partner for a place to live next year and a companion with whom to share your learnings and travels?

By: Melia

Melia — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:17:55 +0000

Margaret, good reminder to visualize myself breathing easily without that familiar tightness in my chest, laughing a lot, handling calmly any situation that comes my way. And just trying something new, because I can always change direction if it doesn’t work out the way I’d hoped.

Kimberly, thanks for stating outright what I didn’t say directly in the post, that I felt uneasy changing the plan I’d laid out earlier. The evolving nature of this project is helping me get more comfortable with making a plan of action and adjusting as necessary. It’s like creating a budget — you hardly ever spend exactly as you expect, but you come a lot closer than if you didn’t have any guidelines or goals.

Also, one of the main goals of this project is to learn to do things because I want to, and not because I think I should. It’s good practice to change course when my instincts tell me to — and, as you said, as I learn more about what I want.

By: KD Griffin

KD Griffin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 03:42:15 +0000

I don’t know you extremely well but I’m struck with how much you remind me of myself. I too, completely freak out when I have to change my stated goals. (Though you are are handling the change much better than I ever would.) It took illness to change my anal retentive ways. Just remember it’s okay to change your mind as you learn new things about yourself. Isn’t that what this is all about?

PS You are an inspiration.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:05:08 +0000

Great list of questions, and good job reminding yourself to ‘just try something.’ Sometimes I think people can obsess over the idea of something a lot without just trying it, and then when they do, it’s: “that wasn’t so bad!” I will be experimenting with gym time- before work, afternoon break, or before dinner?
You’re looking forward to June. Don’t forget to really think about how you want to feel. Maybe visualize the feeling of ease in your body, tension not in your shoulders, lack of knots in your stomach, absence of hitches in your chest. Breathe deep and feel these wonderful changes AS they are happening, because that’s how change happens! (says the Secret…)
“Yes, You Can!”

By: Melia

Melia — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:32:40 +0000

I would love for you to teach me your crafty ways. I was so impressed by the hats that you’ve knit, and I could use something to relax my mind. Wool spinning, awesome.

Since you’ve found an equilibrium this spring while moving to a new city and working from home, you’ve already been my guru. Going to sleep when I’m tired and waking up naturally are on the agenda, as are cooking lots of vegetables and exercising every day.

Like you, my vision is much different now than it was even a year ago. Who knew that I’d be living in Mississippi and writing full-time? Living simply this fall has taught me the same lessons, that my health and relationships are most important to me.

Agreed, having a partner in crime to make you laugh at the ridiculous
makes it easier to sort out your priorities.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:46:25 +0000

If you need help with any of your self-sufficiency quests, let me know. I can teach you how to knit and crochet, if that’s something you want to learn, and I think I’m taking a wool spinning class in the spring. It’s very relaxing, and I’ve managed to outfit both me and Josh with winter gear.

I like the list of questions that you’re setting out to answer this spring and, at least in my experience, trial and error is totally the way to do it. A lot of them answer themselves when you get yourself on a sturdy track. The answers change from time to time, but the core truths remain the same.

If I had answered those questions four years ago, my ideal would’ve been drastically different from what I have right now. But this life is beyond anything I could’ve ever dreamed, and the exciting thing is that I know it will continue to evolve. Jobs, school, money, things…none of them make me as happy as taking care of my health and my relationship.

And it’s totally easier to take care of those things when you’ve got someone by your side to tell you when you’re talkin’ crazy. :^)