I find it fascinating how a shift away from urban life to a quieter, more peaceful setting makes the phrase "less is more" suddenly make so much sense. You quickly realize that the people around you have different priorities and perspectives. Of course, everyone has their own problems and challenges, but in quieter places where corporate life isn't as consuming, there's a greater emphasis on health, wellness, mindfulness, and overall well-being.
Let me give you some examples of what I've noticed since moving to an island, which has its own issues and challenges, but is so different from the hustle and bustle of big cities that everyone is drawn to:
City Life: "I couldn’t sleep until 3 am, I was so stressed about work, and then I had to wake up at 6 to get my kids ready for school."
Island Life: "I had a relaxing evening and went to bed at 9 pm. Woke up at 6 am for a peaceful beach walk with my kids."
City Life: "I spend 9 hours a day staring at my laptop. My neck is stiff, and I haven't seen sunlight."
Island Life: "I worked from a café today and made sure to enjoy some sunshine as the weather was lovely!"
City Life: "I'm exhausted from commuting over an hour each way. It drains my energy, and I'm still late for work!"
Island Life: "Today, I'll take it easy. I'm just 20 minutes away from everything I need, and no one expects me to be in the office by 9 sharp."
City Life: "I'm so stressed about work and my KPIs. I don’t have time for workouts, and it makes me feel terrible!"
Island Life: "My manager understands the importance of activities in my life. I surfed in the morning, went to the gym in the evening, and still got all my work done because I decide what works best for me."
These are just a few examples from my experience over the past 2+ months. Not everyone can or wants to live on an island with a slower pace of life, but you can clearly see that in smaller places, there's a greater emphasis on well-being and work-life balance.
This is food for thought for everyone reading this. If we prioritize ourselves, we can achieve the same balance, even in the big city!