33 Comments

“Sailboats are also not the answer”! Now I am starting to question my big dream🙃 Loved your witty, realistic and mindful piece🤩

Expand full comment
author

Hey a sailboat is definitely still on my list as well. It may not be the answer to my problems, but I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy sailing around New Zealand 😁

Expand full comment

Yes, sailing for sure ⛵️🛥️and living on a boat- can’t say. My wish is to live for several months on the boat and the rest in a city and in the mountains.

Expand full comment
Aug 14Liked by Sophie S.

That cabin in the woods was another chapter of personal growth for me. I learned to be by myself for myself. Alone.

We don't grow in our comfort zone.

Today I'm not sure where I will end up.

The only constant in life is change. I found that I think I know what I want, then I get there and ... lol

Life is an adventure and I believe today that stagnation and compromising myself and my believes are the only real detriments to me.

We all have our path.

Thank you!

Expand full comment
author

Change is there to be embraced and so is adventure!

Expand full comment

Love this! It’s so true that the beauty of our abstract dreams shatters against the harsh reality. Meaningful things are hard. I hate that one saying that goes something like, “when you follow your dreams the universe will open every door.” I’m paraphrasing really badly, but the essence is just not accurate. You hit every roadblock and detour and difficulty. It’s just the way it is. I think it does have a purpose to grow us into who we’re meant to be, but the fact remains that it’s hard. Love this honest, inspiring story ♥️

Expand full comment
author

Yes, and I think because of that messaging people get discouraged once they hit the first roadblock, like it's just not meant to be. Whereas if you push through, that's when the magic happens.

Expand full comment

It's good that you've realized this; with that in mind, your perspective changes on how to navigate daily life. It's been incredibly helpful to hear about your experience and how it feels when your dream comes true.

I've wanted to move abroad for years now, and hearing from friends who've already done it has been eye-opening. It's helped me see beyond the idealized vision I have of living in another country. I imagine the daily challenges of adapting to a new language and way of life, and I believe that's what will make it a realistic experience.

As you mentioned, there will be cozy nights, but life won't stop happening just because my dream comes true.

Expand full comment
author

We moved here about ten years ago and the first years were so interesting. It was really exciting for about a year and then we just got caught up in the daily grind of life again. We had to be really conscious about what we wanted and now we're finally in a good place.

Expand full comment

Wow, this was an amazing read!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much, really appreciate the kind words ❤️

Expand full comment

I really lived this one. That "mindset change" was a masterpiece I would say.

It is a very considerable point while chasing your dream.

Thanks for this beautiful story with genuine real emotion

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much Indranil ❤️

Expand full comment

Amazing post as always Sophie! Your mindset and your journey are just as important as your dream on the horizon. I've always joked about fleeing to a cabin in the woods with my friends, but your story reminds me that it's obviously not as easy as it appears😂

On a different note, hey fellow broker! I'm so so glad you got the chance to read Social Chemistry. It means a lot to me that you were able to get something out of my publication. King dishes out some valuable little known knowledge :)

Expand full comment
author

Ah very cool that you are a broker as well 😁 and hey the cabin in the woods is still worth it, just hard work!

Expand full comment

I love the truth in this piece and, as someone who has joked about running away from life to a cabin in the woods to escape work burnout, also hate it! 😂 The mindset piece is so important. It’s always about our inside landscape and not just external circumstances.

Expand full comment
author

100% the inner landscape is the most important thing to get right, I feel once you get that right then everything else will just naturally follow.

Expand full comment

Hi Sophie, we did it the other way round!. I grew up in a very rural environment in Yorkshire in the 50's and 60's and found the move to urban life difficult in the 70's. As much as I would have liked my children to have my childhood I didn't want them to struggle in an urban one. After three attempts we made it from a house tied to the job, to owning our own, to a second home in France where we picked up our unfinished rural life. Now back in rural Somerset but in an urban setting. Best of both worlds! Look at it this way "It's all character building."

Expand full comment
author

Oh sounds like you've found the ideal set up for you, that's amazing. And yes, I'm building so much character right now. 😂

Expand full comment

We started our married life off grid. Had a couple kids. Stayed there for 12 years. Now we’re empty nesters and hubby’s making noises about doing it again. I’m not opposed, but some things will have to be different. I don’t know if he’s having a late midlife crisis or what. 😂

Expand full comment
author

Nature is calling by the sounds of it 😂

Expand full comment

Great that you followed your dream and enjoy the reality of it, warts and all!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for reading Rosie!

Expand full comment

Thanks for this beautiful piece; I really enjoyed the read, especially for someone with a cabin in the woods. Thanks, Sophie

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Sufyan 🙌

Expand full comment

Loved this piece Sophie! Refreshing, honest and real!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much Hege ❤️

Expand full comment

I used to think that a happy life is one with no hardship. But that's not true at all. To get to the happy parts, you have to accept the hard parts.

The way you conveyed this message is beautiful and really resonated with me.

I needed to read this today. 💕

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much Alexa, I'm glad it was useful for you ❤️

Expand full comment

I love the title (and the sub-title) so much! Thanks for being so open and vulnerable about your experience. With any big life decision, there might be a certain degree of "runaway" energy involved. However, it is important to recognise it and brace yourself. Not much is going to change in the way you live and feel if you miss the mindset part that had its fair share of the runaway aspect.

Thanks for beautifully portraying this side of the story! 🥰

Expand full comment
author

Oh Im only seeing your comment now, but thanks so much for those kind words Fabienne. I'm glad you liked it!

Expand full comment

It’s the same when living an expat lifestyle. My dream was always to live in a big city somewhere and I made that come true several times over, but that doesn’t mean it was easy. It was definitely hard at times. Still, there’s satisfaction to be had from pursuing and attaining your dreams. I think that’s invaluable.

Expand full comment