(no subject)
Over Christmas I continued working as a teaching assistant, but was feeling less and less happy in the secondary environment. Added to this, my wrist started to get worse and I found myself less and less able to do my hobbies - acro ballence and bell ringing. Over Christmas, I hit rock bottom and it was then that I realised I had to follow my heart. It took a lot of soul searching, but I concluded that I had known for a while that communities like tinkers bubble would be a big part of my life, and that now I was going to put serious effort into following that path.
So, I booked a week for half term at tinkers bubble, and soon was spending my 5th time at tinkers, knowing that at some point I would be enquiring about the possibility of moving there. I was very pleased to find they were happy to have me for a month long wwoofing period, and in the mean time I visited another community - Steward wood.
I had a wonderful time at Steward wood too, and for the first time, had found somewhere which seriously contested Tinkers bubble in regard to how much I could see myself living there. They didn't grow as much food, and tinkers bubble is perhaps more organised in terms of self-sufficiency, and yet Steward wood seemed to have a friendly and cherrishing vibe which I think is very rare.
They also had sheep, which is a big plus for me, although they weren't the merinos I was used to!
After two weeks back home, I returned to Tinkers bubble a 6th time, and had a wonderful time again.
Four weeks was long enough to see ups and downs to life on a community, which was very helpful in cementing my determine to find a home on one.
I was given more responsibilities - looking after the chickens and pigs for a week while community members were away, as well as doing the domestic on one day. There were some new chickens and they had to be caught and brought back to their new sleeping quarters.
We had a couple of Saunas, and even a sweat lodge - a more spiritual experience, led by local people.
Returning, it was time for my joint birthday party with my mum, who is now double my age. about 25 people came and we had a fun evening - we're still getting through some of the nibbles that were here.
Which... finally brings me to now. I'm planning to see many more communities, and hope to learn lots of new skills, meet more wonderful people, maybe practice a language or too, and hopefully understand more about myself on the journey.
As for my wrist, well, it is still a problem - while at tinkers bubble it got so bad I couldn't even flex my wrist past 30 degrees. It's much better now, and I'm hoping I can manage it in a way that will keep me doing what I want to do.
So, I booked a week for half term at tinkers bubble, and soon was spending my 5th time at tinkers, knowing that at some point I would be enquiring about the possibility of moving there. I was very pleased to find they were happy to have me for a month long wwoofing period, and in the mean time I visited another community - Steward wood.
I had a wonderful time at Steward wood too, and for the first time, had found somewhere which seriously contested Tinkers bubble in regard to how much I could see myself living there. They didn't grow as much food, and tinkers bubble is perhaps more organised in terms of self-sufficiency, and yet Steward wood seemed to have a friendly and cherrishing vibe which I think is very rare.
They also had sheep, which is a big plus for me, although they weren't the merinos I was used to!
After two weeks back home, I returned to Tinkers bubble a 6th time, and had a wonderful time again.
Four weeks was long enough to see ups and downs to life on a community, which was very helpful in cementing my determine to find a home on one.
I was given more responsibilities - looking after the chickens and pigs for a week while community members were away, as well as doing the domestic on one day. There were some new chickens and they had to be caught and brought back to their new sleeping quarters.
We had a couple of Saunas, and even a sweat lodge - a more spiritual experience, led by local people.
Returning, it was time for my joint birthday party with my mum, who is now double my age. about 25 people came and we had a fun evening - we're still getting through some of the nibbles that were here.
Which... finally brings me to now. I'm planning to see many more communities, and hope to learn lots of new skills, meet more wonderful people, maybe practice a language or too, and hopefully understand more about myself on the journey.
As for my wrist, well, it is still a problem - while at tinkers bubble it got so bad I couldn't even flex my wrist past 30 degrees. It's much better now, and I'm hoping I can manage it in a way that will keep me doing what I want to do.