I have a quote saved that says “Success is making progress in the things that matter to you”. Matter to you are the key words there.

What matters to you? What does success look like for you?

I used to flip flop between euphoria over my full, abundant life and holding my head in my hands wondering how my life can be such a shambles. It took me a long while to recognise that the euphoria was there when I considered my life in the context of how I felt about it, how it filled my cup and met my needs. The woeful disappointment only appeared when I looked at my situation in the context of what I thought was the traditional measures of success: an accomplished career, a big salary, home ownership, a long term relationship, accumulating wealth. 

I don’t have a career – I have two part time jobs that suit my lifestyle perfectly. The work is enjoyable, rewarding and I’m always learning something new. That is enough for me in my work day and fits well with my goal of working as little as possible to play as much as possible.

While I’m far from wealthy I have more than enough to meet my simple needs and can even squirrel away money for future adventures and dreams. For the past 6 years I’ve rented the same apartment and while there are things about apartment living that frustrate me, I love my little home. 

My marriage faltered after 28 years, and for the most part I’m content alone. I still want to have my temple kissed some days, but my time is my own and I have the luxury of zero obligation to anyone. All my decisions are mine and I don’t have to consider someone else’s needs in my planning – or lack of planning as is often the case.

That means I have the liberty to eat grilled cheese for dinner, or a fabulous steak if I choose. Feeding only myself also affords me the luxury of buying the best steak I can get my hands on because it’s just me and not a family that I’m feeding. Living alone also means when I cook, I have left overs for days. I’ve finally learned to freeze individual portions and then only eat the same food two days in a row.

Knowing where to find my reset is my most valuable asset. The surety of always being able to find peace and a fresh perspective in the forest is one of the things I’m most grateful for – and that I can walk there within 10 minutes. Among the trees, nothing seems as catastrophic or gloomy. Perhaps its just the majesty of the forest that makes your woes seem small in comparison, or maybe its the wind whispering through the trees that it will all be alright. There’s a fancy word for the sound of the wind in the trees – psithurism. 

I am so grateful for this abundance and the deep contentment I find in the simplicity of my life. I don’t know if success is the right word, but my simple little life fills my cup, and never for a moment do I take that for granted.