a slower life
Today is another post about my journey, no ground breaking HR tips here today — try again tomorrow… (but I am not promising anything)
Every morning, I’ve been sitting at this little white and yellow table at my VRBO just listening to the birds chirping, the locals on their morning walk, and the nail guns 200 yards away. Call me crazy, but the sounds of construction is oddly peaceful to me. Maybe because thats what I heard throughout my entire childhood?
Anyway, today I went for a walk around the neighborhood. Its sunny and 70 so it felt like the perfect warm hug. As I walked through the neighborhood, I noticed how residential it is and how much construction is going on. Of course there are rentals but many of the houses are clearly loved all year long as a family home. Maybe that changes during the “on” season? I am not sure though, I’ve been to a lot of beaches and this feels different. Every person I walked by gave me a warm smile, a caring “hello”, or a slight wave. What a magical place. (HA, who am I?? I think the sun might be getting to me).
A quick sidebar - we have a camper at this campgrounds and we’ve been going there my entire life. Everyone has golf carts, campers, lawn decor, fire pits with mismatched chairs all around it. I have always loved going there, and every time my dad threatens to sell, I consider what it would be like buying it from them. Luckily, my mom is not going to let him sell. I bring this up because OKI feels just like that. When I first turned into the neighborhood, I felt at ease (surprising, since I was on my own for the first time). Its cozy, homey, loved, and safe.
OK back to to my walk, I continued to think about how lucky they are to have a slower life where they get to enjoy the sunshine and their cozy homes, with the beach just down the road. I am a realist and I know that most of the people here are retired, sitting in their front yard at 10am drinking a cup of coffee with their neighbors. But am I becoming a dreamer, because I can’t stop wondering… What would it be like to wake up every morning and go for a stroll on the beach before heading to a job that you (I) love? What would it be like to catch the sunset every evening over the ocean?
I have been so caught up in whats next in my career, that I haven’t thought about whats next in my life… What if I stop trying to be successful in only my professional life and start focusing on living a fulfilled life? What does that even mean? Is this getting too personal? Maybe, but being an HR person and a business owner, it is personal.
Its time for me to go to the beach…
