Life plays games they say! There was a certain period in my life, more than 10 years ago, full of signs, that made me change my whole perspective. We were still living with @fotostef in Athens and I was working in a big advertising agency, having no time to do anything but work. I knew that this was not for me, I clearly felt I needed to slow down. Sometimes you have to take weird turns in order to go to your destination. It all makes sense now, even this job :) I was never interested in a big career, but it was an experience I had to go through and I am glad I did.
I couldn't stand that lifestyle and although I wasn't sure at all about what I was going to do, I decided to quit and after a while I started working in a small bookstore that some amazing people had. Suddenly I was working in a calm environment and I had all the time for myself. I started reading books again, taking care of my nutrition and myself, having fun. It was great and... I wanted more :)
At that certain period a beautiful soul, a writer, a true lover of nature, published his first novels, a tribute to the connection with nature and it was a bliss to discover and read. And through this writer, I was introduced to the books of Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer/philosopher, founder of natural farming. Have you heard of him? Have you read his books and studied his work? If yes, then you probably know what happened to me cause it might have happened to you as well :)
I think that this is when I deeply realized that I had never lived in a natural environment, instead I had spent the biggest part of my life in an artificial world. And I desperately needed to change it. Some of you already know that I am an organic farmer now, but how did this happen? The seed was already inside me by then, and a small island came on my way and made it all clear. Well, obviously I was not alone, together with @fotostef we were going through the same phase and encouraged each other to go further and further :)
Source nisyrosgeopark.gr
Nisyros is a very small volcanic island in Aegean sea. It is round, like a dot at the map. Instantly attracted just by looking at it, I booked tickets. I am pretty spontaneous and I am glad I trusted my intuition. We were ready to spend a couple of weeks there, that became a month and finally that was the place where we took the decision that we were going back to Athens only to pack and move out (in reality it took us 7 months to make it happen). We didn't know where we would go, but for some reason we were pretty confident :)
I love synchronicity. The books of Masanobu Fukuoka, a constant call to slow down and connect with nature, the sea of Nisyros, living on a volcano and feeling for the first time in my adult life the heartbeat of Earth, the smell of the herbs, the idea of natural farming growing inside us and a simple, minimalist lifestyle, blended all together. I could feel the touch of the sun, the sand and the water in a different way, more intense and mostly by heart not by mind. You need to surrender in life and let things happen. Anyway, the idea of having control on life is an illusion.
These guys living at the edge of the volcano seem to know what trust means :)
This isolated, hard place helped us see things clear, believe in ourselves, take the risk, try new things and experience a new way of life close to nature. Exposed to all the elements reminded us part of who we are and what we want. And since we completely changed life, we haven't regretted a single thing of what we have done. Connection with nature is priceless and worth every difficulty we have faced.
Now, being in another stage of our life, ready to risk and make changes again, I try to remember how big decisions are made. Without fear and too much thought for what will come. Anyway, no one has a clue :)
Always grateful to this beautiful virgin place that taught me all I want is a simple life and a deep connection to Mother Earth.
This is my response to this week's question by The MINIMALIST community asking us to share an unforgettable experience in nature that changed our view of life!
Well, the words are mine :)
If you would like to know more about me this is my introduction post.
Hello @traisto,
It's great to see you here and what a beautiful story you've shared 😍
The photos are amazing too.
Thanks for the info on that book. I'm trying to get into reading more, and it sounds like something I'd enjoy.
I admire that you have an open mind to change, and I wish you both all the very best in all your ventures.
Slowing down and connecting to nature are of paramount importance to me. I've been back in Jamaica for three months now, and I realise that people do not appreciate the natural beauty, around them. I think I'll need a reset when I leave in a few days' time.
Wishing you a lovely weekend:)))
Thanks for your #KISS
I enjoyed it 😉
lips sealed
Hello dear @millycf1976! Happy to be here :)
I am moving around changing houses these last couple of weeks and I have been really slow in my responses... Change comes with some messy procedures in between :)
It was a great chance to sit and write this post and it worked as a therapy to me, not to lose focus on what I need and want, a reminder. Glad you enjoyed it!
Natural farming by Fukuoka is inspiring and indeed it is such a pity that people can't appreciate the beauty and the importance of nature around us... We have lost connection...
3 months already? I remember when you were packing and it doesn't seem so far away. (And I hope you found your Blue Mountain coffee :)
Thank you so much! xxxx
Heart warming. even though in my case it was not fukuoka that inspired me, it is beautiful to see all these little lights, us, emerging and understanding where we truly belong. after over 5 years on the farm, it now seems that before I was just distracted, but like you I realize that it takes the before to make you reach the after. big hug from Portugal !
Exactly! And everyone has to follow a different path. Seems weird sometimes, but makes total sense afterwards :)
So happy for you enjoying your farm life! And thank you so much for your warm feedback! Big hug from snowy Greece!
Fotini wow this is so great. Loved reading about your inspiration and how you came to be living in Crete. It am so interested to hear what changes are coming in your future.
Hey dear Sara! Thank you, glad you found it interesting to read! It was great recalling and writing the sequence of facts that led us here and not to lose focus now that we are ready to make a big change :) More about this, hopefully soon! Love!
Oh wow what an experience. Nisyros island looks amazing. I am really glad that you took that trip and found your true path @traisto xxxxx
Hey there! Thank you so much Aishlinn :) It was an interesting process, and definitely not as clear from the beginning as you have always felt it. Writing about it for the first time, putting the facts one after the other amazed me on how clear the signs were that it was about time for me to move on.
I think you would love Nisyros, the energy of this volcanic dot is amazing and special. It is a hard place but with such a sweet smoothing impact. I hope you can visit it sometime and I hope I will return to it soon! xxxx
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I !LUV reading this story. So great that you have found your place on Earth and... close to Earth too. It's a very beautiful island too 💙
Thank you @fantagira! I think being close to Earth helps us feel that we belong to any place. Nisyros is gorgeous and special, a true inspiration :)
I’m sure it does. Looks like a little heaven to me 💙
What I love more is connecting with the wild heart of nature. You had an inspiring story my friend and I am glad that you had on an exciting life journey. Have a nice time and keep safe.
Thank you @pinkchic :) Oh yes, the wild heart of nature is where we can feel grounded and humble and inspired, right? Always grateful for these deep connections. You too have a nice time and take care :)
Thanks as well for the well wishes and I wish you the same my dear friend. Blessings to you and have a good day!
That was wonderful to read!!
...it so nice to hear how and that you took this decision (always enjoy sharing those moments of where things really changed, or you took the decision to do so)
Thank you so much @kesityu.fashion! Glad you enjoyed it! And I like the way you put it :)
You are most welcome!!:)