The Dream Life

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
― George Gordon Byron

At some point, I need to stop traveling and create a life that I don't need to escape from anymore, which is basically the point of my journey. At this moment though, I am still restless as there are too many places to see before I die, and the world is big for a reason. I would just like to share this kind of life I want to have someday.

Take note that this is my ideal life, and if you disagree with my chosen lifestyle, then it is not my / a problem. To each his own.

I grew up in a city, and you know what they say that the grass is greener on the other side? Well, literally that is also true. I don't want the noise, pollution, and the urban jungle anymore. When I quit my corporate job to travel, I just confirmed that my previous life no longer appeals to me. I want a quiet, secluded life in the woods or by the sea.

A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness. - Leo Tolstoy

Not totally secluded but just away from the madness of the city crowd. I should have the basic necessities such as a roof over my head, food, and water. I really believe that I deserve to have these resources available for me, and not have to sacrifice my spirit in a corporate job and put up with people I can't relate to just to be able to afford these basic things. What is disappointing in this life is having to be part of the daily grind just to be able to put food in my mouth. Then look forward to retirement so I could enjoy all these things I have worked hard for. I want to enjoy this life soon and not when I am already old. And hopefully that my current endeavors would be able to help me fastrack to this kind of life.

All good things are wild and free. - Henry David Thoreau

Although gardening, gathering crops and fetching water can all be hard work too and can take almost half of the day, I am still perfectly fine with it as long as I don't obsessively measure the pond.

When I am traveling, I try to volunteer as much as I can in some alternative / sustainable lifestyle communities to learn more about gardening and farming, as I would like to grow my own vegetables in my backyard, and perhaps, take care some chickens too, to have some scrambled eggs for breakfast. I would also like to learn about bee farming, to have some honey for my own consumption, and which I could sell as well during my occasional trips to the town.

As I travel, I need to be able to choose a nice location where I could spend the rest of my life with my dogs and cat. I don't really like tropical and very humid climate that could destroy the wooden pieces of furniture and parts of the house. I don't want to worry about having air conditioning just to be comfortable working in front of my computer. I don't want to walk just 5 meters and sweat, then worry about skin rashes. And most importantly, I don't want to deal with mosquitoes, flies, bugs, cockroaches and other pests. I'm fine with chopping woods to have hot water and to warm the house. So I'm fine with the cold weather as long as it is not -40 degrees outside. I enjoy the seasons very much, and I like changes. The only thing I don't like in the cold places are the people in it. Hence, to have a quiet and secluded life.

The house should not be totally off-grid, I believe that nature and technology can coexist too. I should have internet and electricity, though I don't really need it the whole day. I guess solar power would be fine for me. I need to be able to charge my laptop and cellphone. I also need to be able to play music while I do household chores.

It has always been a dream to have a springboard from the balcony of my room, so every morning, I could just jump into the cold pool before having my breakfast. It is just to awaken myself. But the pool can be an extra work and maintenance for me, so this is not really necessary.

Breakfast is my favorite time of the day, and coffee is one thing that makes it bearable to deal with humans every day. However, I will still not let go my love for coffee even with minimal contact with fellow earthlings. I should easily be able to walk towards the beach and silently commune with nature. I would like to be able to write in great detail my spiritual experience with the sea breeze and cold waters of the shore.

The rest of my day should be spent doing what I love - writing, playing guitar, reading books and walking on the beach. I do believe that life should be spent this way. I should also have the freedom of not having to do anything when I need to, and just take pleasure in staring into the abyss for a few hours. This is what I call the art of doing nothing. And no one will judge me for not doing anything or for just lying around the house in the afternoon. The last thing I wanted is to be controlled here in my own paradise.

You think this life would be too laid back and easy, but I believe not really. There are actually too many things to do around which could take a whole day. Making sure the plants are watered, there are chopped woods for the fire, and the weeds around the house are removed. I should also walk the dogs during sunset, pet my cat, and of course, find time to read books. I also need to be able to check the internet and see if I still make a little bit of money. There are just a lot of activities for me that days will just pass.

I could also invite a few friends occasionally and they are welcome to stay in the house for a few days. I will also have an extra room there just in case I want to rent it out for Airbnb, to also earn a little bit of money. But that would not be regular as I do not have the time and patience to deal with strangers all the time.

I believe this is pretty much the kind of set up I want for my life in the future. I hope I didn't miss something?

This is my dream life, and I will live happily ever after.