Portugal - Serra da Estrela : image source
Five days ago, I mentioned that I am seriously considering to change my life around, by migrating to Portugal and starting a (largely) self-sustaining live.
If you haven't done so already, you can read the full story in my previous post , where I talk about how I needed to change my live drastically for health reasons.
Is this more than just a dream?
Through conversations with other people - asking me if this is just an idea, a dream, or more than that - I discovered that it definitely is more than that. I used to think that living your dream, outside the system, was impossible or at least extremely hard. I thought that I was expected to live the kind of 'safe' society life that most people tend to live. My beliefs were that idyllic places with real nature and tranquility were for rich people or holidays only.
And so on.
Of course I am exaggerating a little bit, but that is more or less the believe that we develop, living inside a system, monarchy, capitalist industry, democracy or whatever you want to call it. But... I definitely prefer to be (financially) poor and happy outside this kind of system, over being poor in a place where I feel I don't belong, a place that expects you to be a tiny hamster running around in the wheel of a money making machine.
Change Your Way of Thinking
I changed my way of thinking. I started to think and believe more and more that you can make your dreams come true. We don't need to just dream when we sleep or doze. Most things are possible, if you really, really want it and decide to go for it.
Three days ago - two days after my email to the owners of the home and piece of land in Portugal that I'm interested in - I got a message back. They said that - If I'm 'seriously interested' - I am welcome to visit them any time. To come have a look and a taste of the kind of life that they are living there.
The new 'me' decided to really give it a try, instead of reconsidering the idea and not going through with it. I wrote an email back that I would love to do that and am wondering when they can receive me.
So what's the plan?
They responded and told me that, over the next two months, they will be back in The Netherlands - where I myself am living. Might I decide to go to Portugal in October or November, they have friends who would be willing to lead me around the property/ land.
Things are often closer than they seem
They also informed me of a bus that can take me directly, from a city back here in Holland, to a little village at just 15 kilometers of the property. From there on, I can take a cab or get picked up by neighbors of theirs.
It's amazing how close by a different life can be. It might be almost 2000 kilometers away, and a totally different life, but there's actually a direct bus that can bring me there. So that suddenly makes it very approachable.
Serra da Estrela - Winter : image source
Why would I follow through on this
In case there would be any doubts, here's some more reasons - besides the earlier mentioned - to actually follow through on this plan.
The area where the house is situated, sits at a three hours bus ride from (O)Porto, in the so called Serra da Estrela (starry mountains). This area is known for the cleanest air of Europe.
I have been struggling with respiratory issues since I'm born, so this clean mountain air would be extremely welcome.
I just love nature and am literally tired of the lack of it in The Netherlands, especially in cities. I am looking for peace and quiet and am looking forward to working with my hands more than I am working my brain. And once again, I believe that there are better and more healthier - for both body and mind - ways of living, that don't destroy the planet but live in harmony with it. Not just taking from it but also giving back.
I can't wait to take the next step and actually visit this place!
TO BE CONTINUED
What about you? Are you a city person? Are you looking for a change?
Do you think you could live an alternative kind of life like this?
Or, are you perhaps already living this life? How is it working out for you?