Wow, I can’t believe that it is one year ago today that Lucy, my van, and I left West Sussex to experience a full and happy life, living life to its fullest potential.
It’s been so much more than I could ever have dreamed it would be. I have learnt so much about myself along the way and you can read about this in a previous blog http://www.mindfulvanlife.com/my-unconditioned-happy-life/
But one of the biggest life changers has to be the experience of ‘letting go’. Letting go of a job, letting go of living in a house, letting go of ‘relationships’, letting go of feeling safe and just going with the flow of life. Ultimately letting go of the fear of doing all of the aforementioned.
My biggest fear is a conventional conditioned life
Now my biggest fear is returning to a conventional conditioned life. For the foreseeable this will not be happening and definitely not in this present moment. What could be further from conventional life than Covid 19 lock down. It seems that life is now giving an opportunity to everyone to step out of conditioned life – at least for a while, and it could be quite a while. I have a feeling that for a lot of people life may never be quite the same again. Hopefully we will all grow from this experience and be kinder more conscious and compassionate human beings; to each other and how we live in this world.
Here and Now
One year on it is certainly unexpected, to say the least, that I am parked up on the driveway of my ex-marital home living with my daughter and soon to be ex-mother-in-law. Whilst my son is living with his Dad and new partner.
The past year
So as a celebrational blog I have decided to choose three special moments from each month of the twelve countries that I travelled to in the last year. Not an easy task as there were so many special moments and I couldn’t put less than six for Norway! But I was there for two months.
Scotland
England
France/Belgium/The Netherlands
Germany
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Spain
Portugal
Bali
West Sussex
Future Dreams
So what next? Well, when we’re allowed to travel in France I will be off once more across the English channel. Destination, the Algarve Portugal, maybe via Northern and Western Spain coastal route as I haven’t explored those areas yet and I hear the scenery is stunning. But it will all depend on what month lock down ‘unlocks’ as I would love to be in Portugal by October. In between then and now I may fly to Malta to visit a friend as I have Easyjet vouchers for a flight that got cancelled there in April. Currently though all Easyjet flights are grounded until June at the earliest.
Let Go, Fly Free
So for now I am just going with the flow of lock down. It’s giving me lots of time to progress writing my book ‘Let Go, Fly Free’ and I would like to get it finished in time for Christmas. I have designed my book cover which is currently in progress with an old school friend. More exciting news on this over the coming weeks.
For those of you who have not yet seen Chapter 1 if you sign up to my Newsletter at the bottom of this blog you will receive a PDF of this Chapter as well as not missing out on future updates.
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Dear Suzi,
It was good to see your pictures. I was looking forward to touring round Scotland more this spring and summer but sadly unable to do so. I took delivery of ‘Minnie’ on the 23rd March and apart from taking her out just to get to know the vehicle, twice it has sat in my driveway, just as yours is (same colour as well). Washed it once!
Cant wait for this lockdown to be over and we can get our lives back. I live on my own and have not seen my grandchildren since New Year so I know I will be travelling down to Nottingham for its first trip out to see them.
Hi Joyce, I understand it must be a little frustrating for you having your new van and not being able to take her out. Love her name by the way. I think owning a van in these times will prove to be the best thing ever as we will be able to travel, even if it is just in the UK before planes will fly again.
Scotland will still be as beautiful next year. May is the perfect time as when I was there the weather for the most part was glorious and I was told it is the best time of year to go, before the midges arrive in the summer. I was planning to head there myself, maybe I will still be able to go if Scotland relax their lock down. Lets see x
Great to read this Suzie, it certainly is the best thing to dream and be free: ‘Let go!’ Becoming a musician was a similar process and one I will never regret. It’s certainly an enlightening experience and that’s what life’s about; experience! I’m glad you’re writing a book, I look forward to reading it.
The lockdown state certainly gives us all time to reflect, understand what’s important and dream. Getting out there and doing it without fear (when we are Released/allowed) is the emancipation of the soul.
Keep on discovering, dreaming, learning and doing…
And what great pictures! You’re certainly ‘living‘ life.
All the best
Martin
Martin, thank you for taking the time to comment. It’s so nice to receive. You certainly seem to live the life you desire, doing what you love. That’s one of the main reasons I am writing a book because it was something I’ve always wanted to do. I actually started writing a book at the age of 18! I don’t really care how many I sell, I can just know that I did it! and if it can inspire others than that would be so incredible. I love your facebook posts by the way. It would be great to catch up somewhere around the globe when life allows x
Happy 1st anniversary!
Hope you along with Lucy and Lottie are having a nice celebration.
What a beautiful places you have been over the last year, spots are stunning. Following your dreams is one of the nicest things that live brings to us. I’m glad you’re ready to carry on with them.
We will celebrate once we are back on the road again on our way to the next chapter of life. Thank you for all your love and support
Happy Vanniversary! Lovely to have met you in Bali my dear. Best of luck with your book. Follow your dreams and I’ll meet you at the end of the rainbow!
Thank you so much and for following along on my journey. It’s great to have contact with you and to follow your story too.