Find your true self by giving everything away

Moving from Australia to Scotland is one of life’s peak experiences. It’s up there with falling in love and having children.

From the moment we decided to close the chapter on our old lives in Australia and start over again in Scotland, we started to feel happier, younger and more fulfilled.

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. 

Mark Twain

Measuring the value of ‘things’

As we were preparing to leave Australia, we sold and gifted ‘things’ that we had worked hard to acquire. This allowed us to measure a thing’s true value in our lives.

I can honestly say that the vast majority of our possessions did nothing more than mark a time in our life when we thought we needed a thing to make our lives easier, more exciting, or, more to the point, happier. At the end of the day, as long as we had each other, we were happy.

Several things, of course, were difficult to part with. Like our car and our mattresses. We had to think long and hard about what we valued more. In the end, we chose freedom and adventure over comfort and routine.

It wasn’t just us we were making major life decisions for. We were making these decisions for our children, who relied on us to lead them to a good life.

So, with hands on our hearts, we decided to venture to the other side of the planet with nothing more than two suitcases with some boxes to follow by sea. In our minds, we gave our children the gift of global citizenship. The mindset of living locally while thinking globally.

We kept most of our precious and often unconventional possessions and brought them with us to the UK. They mostly all carry cherished memories.

• They’re sentimental items that give us the joy to touch, see, smell and feel.
•  They remind us of our loved ones who couldn’t journey with us, our true selves, and all we know we can be.
• They remind us of our potential, our humanity and the love that we share.

Like the teddy bear, my parents gave me for Christmas when I was 8 years old. When I hold Billy Bear, I can go back to a time when, to my knowledge, my parents were in a healthy, loving marriage, and life was perfect. Santa, the Easter Bunny and the South African Mouse (aka tooth fairy) were real. A period in my life when my future was full of rainbows and unicorns.

Of course, we also brought things over that simply make life easier. Like the stainless steel vegetable peeler that allows me to peel carrots and potatoes like a boss – without taking my flesh and fingernails with it. My husband and I are both practical Virgos, after all.

Why would anyone want to leave Australia?

I love Australia, and I’ll always call it home. Australia is one of the happiest countries in the world for good reasons. People born and living in Australia enjoy a healthy life expectancy, strong levels of social and community support (although this is dwindling with increasing economic uncertainty) and a spirit of freedom and choice in life and business. “She’ll be right, mate!”

I suppose, for me at least, I decided to leave Australia (for now) for one main reason. I wanted to explore my potential and seek out Earth’s wonders and life’s mysteries.

As long as I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and family and friends who love and support me – I feel that my mental, physical and spiritual needs are largely met.

I thank the Universe for what it provides as I know that it’s not finished with me yet.

Somone Bull

Beyond that, it is my desire to add value and contribute to the world in my own unique way. This continues to drive me to try new things, do things differently and be ever grateful for the new experiences and lessons along the way.

We are more than just children who love our parents. We are more than just parents who love our children. We are individuals who love life, with a beautiful life to live. So live. Where you want.

Somone Bull

I’m intrigued by how the changes I make in my life can positively influence others.

My intention is that by sharing our experience of moving to the other side of the world and starting over, others are inspired to be brave and dare to do something that they feel is right for them.

Your true self

From the very first moment we arrived in the UK, with the intention of making Scotland our new home, I felt that I was once again in touch with my true self.

I was starting to lose my identity in Australia. Routines and familiarity were starting to overwhelm my sense of wonderment. I was starting to lose sight of the horizon and of what could be.  Time and days flew by as I lived on auto-pilot for nearly six out of seven days a week. I often caught myself taking things and people for granted instead of being present in the moment.

I studied motivational theory and Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs at uni. And while I appreciate his views on satisfying basic needs, security and safety, social needs, esteem and self-actualization, I don’t agree with his defined order in which needs must be satisfied.

I believe we all have the ability to happily exist in a state of flux and flow between our needs and desires.

A wonderful life

I empathize easily with others. Ask anyone how often I cry for reasons of joy and sadness.

I can’t help but feel a kinship with the people and animals I interact with. You see, I believe we’re all related. That we all share the same cosmic spark of creation.

I don’t subscribe to any particular religion or belief system. I just have faith in humanity. And with this comes a heightened awareness of what is, what could be as well as what could have been. I shed tears of happiness and regret.

I live in awe, pleasure and wonder however stale those experiences may have become for others.

Abraham Maslow

Are you ready?

I invite you to believe in yourself and to have faith in the Universe. You will be provided with the knowledge, resources, desire and expectation to achieve your purpose. Whatever that may be.

If you want to move to the UK or Australia, our knowledge and experience will help you.

Don’t allow other people’s fears to restrict your freedom of movement or prevent you from making brave decisions to change your life for the better. Remember that sometimes you have to experience pain and discomfort and break things to move forward towards a better life.

You can do it gradually and risk never reaching the destination, or you can take great leaps of faith and start your journey now.

Know that obstacles will always appear on your path, testing your resolve and helping you catch your breath. Be brave. Face them. Take action. Push past or through them and be a seeker of the way.

Live life on your terms

Are you ready? What’s holding you back? Share your thoughts below in the comments…