I find you really have to be willing to give up what's tying you down
Moving to Wales has been very stressful.
The to do list is massive, simply things like 'register for new doctors' and 'take final meter reads', 'v5c address' etc etc etc..
Those are little things but because I tend to leave things they play on my mind. It takes a real effort to sort them, even though it's better to and they aren't difficult
I guess the bigger changes for me are putting life firmly and genuinely before career (money ) as I know I'll never love my job (still regret my uni and career choices
Unless I'm going to earn obscene amounts of money, 50k isn't going to change my life from 40k. What would make a difference is a 4 day week.
My hobbies are now no longer expensive but they require time
I'm going to declutter the amount of clutter makes moving house a nightmare.
I'm 100pc sure that I don't want kids, had a second brief chat with the gf that if she goes in with me for mortgage she's sure as she can be too. Because you have to be.
Getting a house will knock a lot of the need to save off my mind allow nicer holidays etc.
Reducing stress is more value to me than more money or progression of career. But I need to follow through in this.
Even things like saying to family 'ill see you for Christmas but I'm not doing presents 'saves me stress
Despite the move being so stressful its genuinely the best decision I've ever made. I do regret leaving it so late, but 33 isn't too bad.
Was always jealous of moonman and think Wales is my calling (planning a kayaking trip to see dolphins next!, this would be a dream come true, genuinely)
Id say do some soul searching and don't be afraid to go against the grain of 'improve your career ' , 'more money is better' , 'a bigger estate will make you happier ', 'its time for kids'
A run down of my typical activities for us.
-weekend, weather permitting will comprise
kayaking to a new part of the Welsh coast or river, exploring the mountains or forests, camping..
-finishing work at 4pm 5 days a week
-Dungeons and dragons once a week with gf and new group
-General evenings in
-cinema on a week night of films are there or Netflix of not
-trips to friends for Board games, murder mystery etc every month /2 months
Put effort in to make this happen , I don't want the 9-5, come home to binge on TV or look after kids, then burn away the weekend drinking and being hung over or simply doing nothing.
Being outside is my meditation, exploration desire connection with nature and fulfils my physical stimulation too
Of course I could have took a 70k job in London and had an easy life later, but who knows what might happen to my health and you cannot buy back time It already goes too fast