I Was Right
I've confirmed an concept that has been rolling around in my brain since we left Toronto in 2002.
It's sounds quite cliche but material things really do not bring you happiness. It's all in what you are doing with your time.
It's been proven to me over the last couple of weeks here in Belfast. Let me explain.
I have a really modern, clean, centrally located flat with a washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, bath and shower, balcony and trendy dining and living room furniture.
I am minutes from the movies, the market, the pubs, the library, the shops.
I have been able to buy things for the apartment this time because we are not pinching the pennies for months when we're not working and travelling.
I now have a work and play wardrobe with nice shoes, two outdoor jackets, and triple the amount of shirts, pants and skirts that I had last year.
All of this has not made me any happier than I was last year in our modest flat with a damp basement.
It's not that I'm not happy with the flat. Or the fact that I've gotten an interesting temp job. I am quite content.
It's just more that there is no extra happiness from it. A bit more comfort perhaps, but I think that is all relative. You become comfortable in situations.
I became comfortable in the flat in Leeds. I became comfortable with a bag on my back, wandering from city to city in search of accomodation. I became comfortable having to use public toilets or restaurant facilities to "go number 2".
I became comfortable wearing the same evening outfit in different cities - my "go to" black turtleneck with a beige skirt.
I became comfortable extending my hand to strangers who spoke English in strange countries just so that I could meet a new friend.
I became comfortable having to make decisions about everything I had to do in a day - where to sleep, what to do, what to see, where to eat.
You can be comfortable anywhere, doing anything. But you need to make sure you're happy.
I kinda sighed a bit of relief when I was explaining to a girl I met at a party the other night - (already meeting friends and being invited out!! much faster than in Leeds) - because it also affirmed to me that I did do the right thing by picking up and leaving it all.
I made the right decision when I chose my happiness over stuff.
I hope I always live my life that way. I hope I always find happiness in the little wonders of life and not the Prada shoes I'm hoping to be able to afford after I write my first book.
I've confirmed an concept that has been rolling around in my brain since we left Toronto in 2002.
It's sounds quite cliche but material things really do not bring you happiness. It's all in what you are doing with your time.
It's been proven to me over the last couple of weeks here in Belfast. Let me explain.
I have a really modern, clean, centrally located flat with a washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, bath and shower, balcony and trendy dining and living room furniture.
I am minutes from the movies, the market, the pubs, the library, the shops.
I have been able to buy things for the apartment this time because we are not pinching the pennies for months when we're not working and travelling.
I now have a work and play wardrobe with nice shoes, two outdoor jackets, and triple the amount of shirts, pants and skirts that I had last year.
All of this has not made me any happier than I was last year in our modest flat with a damp basement.
It's not that I'm not happy with the flat. Or the fact that I've gotten an interesting temp job. I am quite content.
It's just more that there is no extra happiness from it. A bit more comfort perhaps, but I think that is all relative. You become comfortable in situations.
I became comfortable in the flat in Leeds. I became comfortable with a bag on my back, wandering from city to city in search of accomodation. I became comfortable having to use public toilets or restaurant facilities to "go number 2".
I became comfortable wearing the same evening outfit in different cities - my "go to" black turtleneck with a beige skirt.
I became comfortable extending my hand to strangers who spoke English in strange countries just so that I could meet a new friend.
I became comfortable having to make decisions about everything I had to do in a day - where to sleep, what to do, what to see, where to eat.
You can be comfortable anywhere, doing anything. But you need to make sure you're happy.
I kinda sighed a bit of relief when I was explaining to a girl I met at a party the other night - (already meeting friends and being invited out!! much faster than in Leeds) - because it also affirmed to me that I did do the right thing by picking up and leaving it all.
I made the right decision when I chose my happiness over stuff.
I hope I always live my life that way. I hope I always find happiness in the little wonders of life and not the Prada shoes I'm hoping to be able to afford after I write my first book.
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