I threw everything we owned, on top of and inside of our hand-me-down (a hundred times handed down) old antique car that unbeknownst to me was now dragging its rear bumper on the ground every time we hit a tiny bump; obviously I still hadn't deleted enough "possessions" from my life (actually possessions own you, not the other way around) and had it been a ship in the water they would've made a movie about it called Titanic Returns and Sinks Again. Long story short, we arrived in a rain storm, everything soaked, midnight, door was locked... finally got inside our new trailer home and all fell asleep quickly on the cold floor (the water and electricity and hence any heating hadn't been turned on yet; at sun up a few hours later it would be turned on thank heavens). In the daylight, rain gone, as we toured our new mountain top home deep in the forest which had cost us almost nothing (except risking our lives on the voyage to get there) we realized it was even more of a paradise than what Google search results had led me to believe. Complaining turned into gratitude as my crew turned from mutiny to heralding me as their hero (don't worry, this story still has plenty of violence and horror and tragedy and romance up ahead, you'll love the ending if ever I tell it, and that was 3 lifetimes ago, I have 2 other best sellers I haven't even yet begun to tell). The reason: To get away from consumerism, be healthy, raise the kids in a better environment, fleeing from dictatorship, impending war, doom, apocalypse, and so on. And for the 5 years that we were on our deserted paradise island, it was worth it. I've since escaped from the world many more times, and lived on many more deserted islands... and every time the risks and sacrifice to get to those islands was worth it. Whether it was an actual island or simply me kicking old destructive eating habits, and escaping laws that I didn't agree with, and expenses I didn't agree with, and cultures I didn't agree with, and so on. Total freedom, peace, freedom, health, freedom, longer life, happiness, and so on. I met hundreds of new people along the way who taught me a hundred lifetimes more of knowledge than I had already known. And they made that time period of my life that much sweeter, whether they were a rich person wining and dining me, or a homeless person sharing his/her whisky with me, every memory, every relationship, whether it was with a person, a dog, or a beach, or that octopus who got out of his tank and was trying to make it to the water but got stuck to the pavement (or seared/fried rather; by the sun) who I rescued (just joking, I took him home, gave him to my buddy who barely spoke any English who then made the most amazing stew)... it has all been worth it (except for the octopus part, wish I had thrown him back in the tank or the ocean and my conscience would be 100% clear right now... and that dog soup thing). This has been one of my favorite threads yet, here on this forum. Most people talk about already having arrived, and what it's like being in paradise. You guys makes it sound like we're still in the airport, excited, standing in front of that mysterious portal, ticket in hand... gives the reader a sense of thrill indeed! Hope! Anticipation! And the suspense of not knowing what's going to happen next! Whether it's a beach, or minimalism, or whatever adventure, or any changes that a person is craving and needing... after reading your thread, I think anyone not already on that beach, in that lifestyle, or whatever plunge, reading this thread will take more courage. Will feel the energy and be compelled to take the leap. Hope to see many more arriving on the beaches, or their dream destinations, or change in life, anything that brings joy and excitement or peace and contentment back into a person's veins. This is a thread that the whole world could definitely use a dose of its call to adventure, to live life on each person's own terms! To take that leap! Cheers and happy travels!
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