I haven't posted anything for a while, but I have been lurking around in other threads.
I read and absorb tips and struggles from others.
After reading one particular post from mountainFrugal, I am convinced that is good to participate and contribute information to this forum instead of just consuming from others
The name of this thread is "notmadeforconsuming" after all. I am also going to talk less about the number aspect of FIRE. It doesn't excite me at the moment and it is probably the least interesting part.
## Fire location
The question, where to work, live and participate has been on my mind for a few years.
But instead of continuing googling how life would be in Portugal, Switzerland or Italy, I set out to explorer those countries.
I am now writing this now from Portugal, Madeira. I have been here for over a month. The option to work remotely has been there since corona.
I just did not pull the trigger until now.
My daily routine in Portugal is as follows. I wake up early and go for a run or walk along the coast. I try to actively improve my endurance here.
Then I end up at the seashore and just sit and watch the massive waves crashing on the shore. This calms me down and gives me time to think. When I get back, I cuddle with my girlfiend as she is just waking up. Then it's off to work, which I do from the apartment or a co-working spot. We eat the leftovers from yesterday and then start to cook for today. In the evening we often go for a walk. Yesterday we stargazed, which was really great.
Here are the pros and cons that I've learned over the past month.
PROS
- Weather. It's between 14 and 22 degrees. It's kind of easy to take it for granted, but it really helps with relaxing and starting the day in a good.
- Nature. I rent a small scooter to be able to go anywhere and it has been great. The nature is absolutely stunning and incredible diverse. From huge waves for surfing in the north, too shallow waters for snorkling in the south.
The mainland is full of beautiful eucalyptus trees and flowers. Everywhere there are small water channels called 'levadas' that bring water
from the mountains to the coast. These were built for the plantations that the Portugese started around 1550. Mainly for Sugarcane and Bananas.
CONS
- American digital nomads No, I can't say this with a sample size of N=3, but did figure out that they are not my kind of people. Not just Americans, but digital nomads. There are many of them and they approach you quickly when sitting outside for some smalltalk.
Many are spiritual, but in a commercial way. Selling courses, classes, fly to Indonesia Bali every other month, because it is "really a place where my soul wants to be". There would be much to say about the hypocrisy of these people, but not today.
- Boring. Not yet, but I can imagine that will happen. Seeing a dolvin jump at the coast is super exciting to me, but the locals don't even look up from their coffee if it happens.
Next month I'm heading to Italy and probably later this year to Switzerland for some hiking and camping. Switzerland is the one I'm most looking forward to, as I'm seriously thinking about moving there continue my FIRE journey. Let's see.
## Not consuming
Part of me wants to buy things, gadgets and tools. It's the part that thinks buying crap is necessary for any new hobby or activity.
This impulse comes mainly from consuming on the internet. When I was looking for information on how to hike to the highest peak on the island, people immediately gave me advice on what to wear and what to bring. "You need a down jacket! A headlamp for the tunnels you'll be going through! Proper hiking boots!"
Sometimes I fall for that. But not this year. I remembered an argument between my parents, me and my brother when we were teenagers.
We wanted to hike Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. Not to the summit, but to the high ground where the snow begins.
We didn't want to wear our ugly hiking boots and thought our Birkenstocks (slippers with a cork footbed) would do. It was the macho period when everything the parents recommended was not necessary. But we finished the hike in our slippers. Perfectly fine. Even in the snow.
I mean, Otzi, the ice man, walked across the Italian Alps in simple leather shoes with straw in them! We make things look more complicated than they are.
So I didn't buy any gear for this trip and wanted to do it with what I had. I hiked to the highest peak with a simple fleece that cost me 5 euros. I walked through all the tunnels with my smartphone flashlight. I used my simple barefoot shoes that I picked up second hands a few years ago. I passed people on the trail, completely decked out in hiking brands. Headlamps, patagonia down sweaters, carbon walking sticks, and so on. It feels good to have them look at you so surprised/shocked when they see me in my barefoot shoes and jeans.
I haven't bought any more items in the last two months. Next month I will probably break it, since I want to try bikepacking and I think I need to consume some stuff for that
## Goals for the next few months.
- - Renovate the apartment and come up with new structure for renting out the rooms. I currently rent out some rooms, but the market has gone up and the tenants are paying half of what I could charge. I somehow don't want to become part of the ever increasing renting price, but I also want to have a fair market price for the rooms
- Increase frequency of meditation
- Continue cycling to increase stamina
- Continue writing and editing. I put more time into revising the post today. As a non-native speaker, this is something I need to continue doing and can do better. It's also fun to notice that the sentences are much easier to read after the revision !
I wish you a great weekend. Bos