For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.
Lily Tomlin
The Idle Speed Only sign right outside my front door perfectly sums up the first five days of my big adventure.
I’ve needed to slow down for a while now. Physically, but mostly mentally. Starting my own web design and development business has been wonderful and extremely rewarding, but my brain is “always on.” Juggling client projects, launching maintenance plans to secure retainer clients, always looking for the next client or project, and thinking about long-term strategy for the business is mentally draining.
Thinking about traveling and becoming a digital nomad has been stressful, too. “Am I really up for this?!” is a recurring thought every single day for months. I still can’t believe I put my house on the market, sold it, decluttered, and got rid of so much of my “crap.”
My favorite day of the week the last few months at my house was Wednesday—garbage and recycling day. The bins were emptied, and stuff hauled off, giving me the opportunity to quickly fill them again! As each Wednesday passed, or another carload of stuff dropped off at the thrift store, a weight was lifted off my chest. Physically decluttering helped with mentally decluttering as well. I highly recommend it. Spring is finally here—get cleaning!
Now that the dream of traveling the country while working is a reality and the hard work I’ve done over the past few months is over, I’m slowing down my brain.
Each afternoon this week I’ve hopped in the car to explore new areas. The cell coverage here is great, so I can always fire up Google Maps if I wander too far down an unknown path. I’ve found lots of trails I’ll be returning to throughout the month. I drove to the town of Hot Sulphur Springs the other day, where they have a resort and spa that boasts “23 pools and baths.” I think a spa retreat day is in my future!
I’m catching up on sleep and not setting an alarm. I’m spoiled at my first Airbnb: a California king bed, an amazingly comfortable mattress, and 10 pillows. Aaaaah.
And of course, I’m binging some Netflix shows after the sun sets behind the mountains. I’m sad Ozark and Grace & Frankie are over. I’m glad I found the quote above from Lily Tomlin because she’s been on my mind the past couple of days. Oh, how fun it would be if Lily (or her character, Frankie) were a relative of mine! We’d have some crazy adventures.
I’m still doing client work during the day and working on my blog while watching TV in the evenings. Look for a new photos section very soon. And I plan to launch an email newsletter. Stay tuned.
My aunt and Denver cousin are coming to visit this weekend and it will be fun to explore the area with them.
But most of all, I’m just enjoying unwinding and slowing down. Settling in. Slowly (or perhaps quickly!) becoming a mountain man. Journaling and blogging for the first time.
I can see mountains from the couch. This is the life.
