A series of educated guesses
Ever since moving regionally, I have had this facinatation with how people build wonderful and meaningful lives without the sophisticaed titles or traditional “opportunities” of the city. And, what I have learnt is that what is often built away from the noise and intensity of an urban centre is incredibly intentional, more personal and therefore sustainable.
The notion around building a life is in itself is very interesting to me. Traditionally, when you build something, there is a formula or recipe to follow that creates a very specific outcome. However, in the spirit of life, there may be an outcome in mind, but the recipe has to be a total culmination of educated guesses, which in turn will continually shift the final outcome.
What stands out in the way of regional life, is that being here is more often than not, an intentional decision based around values. And, that in itself is an exceptional foundation for the recipe. There is undoubtedly an element of ‘sacrifice’ with the georgaphic selection - less stimulation, less choices on date night, less nightlife, less shopping, less less less…. but the less is replaced with more; community, connection and creativity - (especially if you are like me and refuse to let the location reduce your opportunities).
Paige Lorenze spoke on the Skinny Confidential this week about how she built Dairy Boy - essentially from living in New York, drinking oat lattes, sharing content that looked like everyone elses, and eventually coudn’t ignore the voice - what on earth am i doing, i hate oat lattes, i just want real milk, i miss the farm, HA. So, she created a cap that said DAIRY GIRL SUMMER and preached what she genuinely loved - being with her horses, paddocks, space….and full cream milk. Her brand exploded. Her success started when she stopped trying to fit into an identity she thought she should want and started building around what she genuinely loved. I think this is very cool.
Which brings me back to the people I continue to find most fascinating. Whether they are building a business, a career, a farm, a family, or all four at once, there is one thing in common: they have stopped chasing lives that look impressive and started building lives that feel true, and in turn we get this wonderful outcome.
Perhaps that is what I am really interested in. Not regional Australia, entrepreneurship, property, agriculture or ambition in isolation, but the process of building in a way that is values, interests and curiosity led. The result is something deliberatly yours.
A working note,
Tess