After much thought during my many hours of packaging bread, I have decided to head back to the UK for Christmas and most of the Winter (it’s now early December) with a view to returning next year.

Looking at my list of ticked off “objectives”, there is nothing specific left to achieve in Ireland (for the time being at least) and I’d like to be with friends and family in England for the festive period. Things have run their course for now.

Reasoning:

• I must now look for another job and current exchange rates mean it is better to earn in the UK then transfer to my Irish bank account.
• I’ve managed to stay here for four months, which I’m very pleased with!
• All “goals” achieved.
• I’m feeling proud overall and in a relatively good place financially.

So it’s best to bring things to a temporary close now, on a high.

(I’ll elaborate on my more long term ideas and plans in the next post).

My thoughts

Things feel simpler and more in the moment. I feel happier just being present and going with the flow. I have deliberately restricted my access to some things to break habits and live with less clutter in my mind.

My day is no longer filled with time-consuming rubbish like TV which does nothing to really satisfy the soul. I’ve gravitated towards purer, slower means of entertainment. Much like mental nutrition, what a processed microwavable instant meal is to a home-grown, home-cooked, nourishing meal. The one gives instant gratification, the other takes more time, but is nourishing in so many more ways.

TV shows, adverts and glossy magazines would all have us believe their ready-made entertainment and incessant lifestyle commentary is the umbilical cord of a connected society. But this forms no useful or meaningful contribution to our lives. It’s not needed. Cut that cord! Quite a simple realisation, but until everything false has fallen away, it’s sometimes hard to see.

I can now easily spend an hour just sitting and watching the sea curling onto the beach, or learning the piano, or writing this blog, or going for a walk or watching log fire burn itself out. I no longer have background interference (critical monologue) persuading me that there is something else more pressing to be getting on with.

Things feel slower, relaxed and with more space.

Next up: The Masterplan