This whole moving to Greece thing is an interesting exercise in mind control, because without a firm grip of that, I'd be in a right old lather. Especially considering other people's reactions. Roughly speaking, what is going on right now divides up into two emotions - Fear and Scarcity, both my own and other people's. I've got day to day worrying largely under control. If it's in the past, I don't ruminate on it. If it's in the future, I recognise I've got no control over it and so … [Read more...]
Empty
Four weeks to go. Sarah's turned into a relentless house clearing trojan who, over the last week or so, has made it her full time work to "git 'er done". Cupboard by cupboard, drawer by drawer. She says she doesn't want to be doing it at the last minute and I can understand that, but she's a woman on a mission. Just as well, because I'm resisting it all rather, I'm finding it quite difficult emotionally to let go. I have managed to let go of my need to pay to store a few sticks of … [Read more...]
Doing Nothing
One of the reasons I want to go and live in Stoupa is to learn how to do nothing. When I talk about doing nothing, I'm not talking about hobbies, like walking the dog, or to the theatre, or art galleries I'm not talking about going hiking, or to films or live gigs, or seeing friends. I'm talking about doing nothing in the way that one of my favourite comedians Micky Flanagan means, when he talks about doing nothing. Well, he doesn't actually word it like that - it's a strong language … [Read more...]
Why Move To Stoupa
Nicola and Sarah talk about why they've decided to move to Stoupa in Greece for 6 months in this video recorded live on their Facebook page. Like the Swagger And Soul Facebook page to be notified when they're next on air! Here's the transcription: Nicola: Hi everybody it's Nicola Cairncross here and Sarah: Sarah Cairncross (I am allowed to say my name!) Nicola: You are indeed yes, you are indeed. What we'd like to do today is just explain what's happening to us and how it's come to … [Read more...]
Stuff Makes Us Feel Real
I'm starting to throw out nonessential stuff from cupboards as I go now, You know, the cluttery stuff that gathers in corners of drawers and cupboard shelves. There's usually one "junk drawer" in every house and it's usually in the kitchen. Is that a global thing, or just the UK? Half finished makeup, unused carrier bags, old elastic bands, pencils with broken lead, bits and pieces of old toiletries, spent batteries, old emery boards and nail varnish, shower caps from hotels, bendy … [Read more...]
One Suitcase Or Two?
When I went to Greece last time out of season, I took one tightly packed suitcase and one wheely bag with my big leather handbag on top. I largely took summer clothes with a few cardigans and I wore my coat and scarf, it being February in the UK. 18th February 2010, in fact. Steve's birthday. We were seriously NOT talking at that time. He'd moved out in the July the year before, on my request after a particularly gruelling trip to my therapist but I always suspected afterwards it … [Read more...]
Gardening Gloves
Yes, I must definitely take my gardening gloves. That was the random thought that swirled into my head this morning. I'll obviously need them, even though the garden in Stoupa is largely mature trees with some gravel and paved areas. There are things living in the undergrowth that will bite me, sting me, crawl over me if I don't have gardenings gloves on. And I am such a dedicated gardener, too. I kid you not. I am going mad, the gardening gloves are proof of it. As a woman who … [Read more...]
Decision Day
Sarah and I are thinking of moving to Stoupa in Greece for six months, maybe longer. Or moving to Greece, then moving on somewhere else perhaps. I can work from anywhere with good internet, in fact I've been working towards such a goal for a long time. I had a different companion in mind as you will discover... We've been looking at long term house-sits in France and there are some really lovely ones available, but the thought of the pets and gardens requiring looking after daunts … [Read more...]
A Bit Of Background From Nicola
From, my personal blog at NicolaCairncross.com | 11 May 2016 My "Own It" podcast co-host Judith Morgan has been nudging me to write my "Laptop Lifestyle" dream blog post over the last couple of days. We're running a blogging competition for our Virtual Summit and have to show willing even though, obviously, we can't win! Judith's own Dream Laptop Lifestyle post is predictably excellent, well, she does love to write! I've been resisting. Actually I've been resisting blogging generally … [Read more...]
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