Article written by Pod
The Internet is down, the power could go off at any minute as it has done many times in the last week. The air is full of some sort of flying insects which get into your hair, your clothes, everywhere. The frogs croak every time it rains (which is becoming more and more frequent), Burma - just ' up the road' geographically, has lost untold thousands to a vicious cyclone and the cicadas are so noisy that I have to turn up my music.
I have seen more snakes in the last week, than in my entire life, some of which I am sure are poisonous. The waves are too big to go floating on my lilo and much of Kantiang bay is shutting down for low season.
Is it time to leave paradise? No way! With all of this, I still want to live here because these are real problems brought about by real life. Not the manufactured fear that politicians and newspapers create in Britain which I cannot combat or deal with, because whether it is an increase in council tax, or God forbid, some passerby that sees me drop a piece of cake out of the car window and reports me to the council resulting in a hefty fine though the post, I have a choice in how I deal with these problems.
Yeah, sometimes it is boring when the electricity is off for five hours and it is raining. I have to do something, or experience boredom. Yes, I am seriously p-ss-d off when my washing (done by hand) is rained on, the mud has splattered all over it and I have to wash it all again (and those smalls are tedious). But these are challenges. England did not present me with challenges that allowed me to use my imagination and pit my strength. England presented me with situations where I was totally powerless to change the outcome.
I marched against the war in Iraq (for all the good it did) Tony Blair went to war, illegally anyway! I remonstrated with my local council about the amount of rubbish in my street, left there by McDonald's customers. I asked them to put in litter bins. Did they listen? No! Just increased my council tax by 12% Thanks Sheffield.
The sense of powerlessness, the feeling that I did not exist was the main reason I left the U.K.
Despite the rain, the mud, and the mozzies, I will stay. Tonight as I lay in my hammock, listening to life all around me, a firefly slowly sparkled its magical way past me. I am enchanted!!!!!!
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor.
Showing posts with label Reasons to Leave England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reasons to Leave England. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Thursday, 3 April 2008
A Possible Alternative to Leaving the Country...
This blog has grown from the seedling desire to leave England and live and work abroad. BUT, one ingredient of the compost which has contributed to its growth, is the need to escape the rat race and search for a simpler way of life.
There are, however, many steps you can take to work less, spend less and establish a better balance of work and life, without making the more dramatic move of leaving England. Over the last few years we have seen the increasing trend among the “upper-working” class to “downshift” their lives, reduce the stress, spend more time with friends and family, work less, and spend less.
Whilst I’m not sure I like the term “downshift”, I do like many of the principles it encompasses, and I love the fact that it indicates a large movement within our society to boycott the consumerist lifestyle which for many, has led to an emotionally unfulfilling dead end.
This month sees the first ever “International Downshifting Week” between 19th and 25th April.
Tracey Smith, creator of National Downshifting Week, received so much support on her campaign over the last three years, that this year it has gone global.
The week long campaign seeks to provide the public with information, and encourage everyone to participate in a couple of downshifting techniques throughout the week. The idea being, if you like the impact it has on your life, you may consider adopting the lifestyle on a more permanent basis.
For more information visit her website: www.downshiftingweek.com
Tracey has also submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street to “Introduce 'Sustainable Living & Environmental Awareness' lessons to our national curriculum for all pre-school, primary and secondary schools in the UK” – an excellent idea. Click here for a link to the petition.
For people who are considering leaving England in order to adopt a simpler lifestyle, it is well worth considering what alternative steps you can take within your own country first, and Tracey’s website is a great place to start.
www.downshiftingweek.com provides a description of downshifting – as follows:
“Downshifting is about slowing down your pace, finding a better work/life balance, consequently embracing living with less and leading a simpler, greener and happier life!
Downshifting isn't about moving to new counties or countries, in fact, if you are looking to start a 'completely' new life, you'll arm yourself with the best chance of success by 'dipping your toes' into a few of our ideas and making changes within your own four walls, long before you reach for a map!”
When considering the prospect of downshifting as oppose to leaving England – it is worth reviewing your own top 10 reasons for wanting to leave England, and see how many of those issues you could eliminate by downshifting... Click here for a reminder of my top 10 reasons.
Given Tracey's description of the term, it is quite clear that downshifting would eliminate one of my reasons for wanting to leave England: 2. Pace of life
AND I can also see how it could have a knock on effect of increasing community spirit – which is the main point of one of my other top 10 reasons: 3. Lack of people contact
Naturally the movement is also anti materialism – so would provide some armour in your defences against advertising – and help cross another reason for wanting to escape off the list: 5. Materialism...
So... for me – that’s three reasons "kind of" dealt with... hmmm – that still leaves seven!
There are, however, many steps you can take to work less, spend less and establish a better balance of work and life, without making the more dramatic move of leaving England. Over the last few years we have seen the increasing trend among the “upper-working” class to “downshift” their lives, reduce the stress, spend more time with friends and family, work less, and spend less.
Whilst I’m not sure I like the term “downshift”, I do like many of the principles it encompasses, and I love the fact that it indicates a large movement within our society to boycott the consumerist lifestyle which for many, has led to an emotionally unfulfilling dead end.
This month sees the first ever “International Downshifting Week” between 19th and 25th April.
Tracey Smith, creator of National Downshifting Week, received so much support on her campaign over the last three years, that this year it has gone global.
The week long campaign seeks to provide the public with information, and encourage everyone to participate in a couple of downshifting techniques throughout the week. The idea being, if you like the impact it has on your life, you may consider adopting the lifestyle on a more permanent basis.
For more information visit her website: www.downshiftingweek.com
Tracey has also submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street to “Introduce 'Sustainable Living & Environmental Awareness' lessons to our national curriculum for all pre-school, primary and secondary schools in the UK” – an excellent idea. Click here for a link to the petition.
For people who are considering leaving England in order to adopt a simpler lifestyle, it is well worth considering what alternative steps you can take within your own country first, and Tracey’s website is a great place to start.
www.downshiftingweek.com provides a description of downshifting – as follows:
“Downshifting is about slowing down your pace, finding a better work/life balance, consequently embracing living with less and leading a simpler, greener and happier life!
Downshifting isn't about moving to new counties or countries, in fact, if you are looking to start a 'completely' new life, you'll arm yourself with the best chance of success by 'dipping your toes' into a few of our ideas and making changes within your own four walls, long before you reach for a map!”
When considering the prospect of downshifting as oppose to leaving England – it is worth reviewing your own top 10 reasons for wanting to leave England, and see how many of those issues you could eliminate by downshifting... Click here for a reminder of my top 10 reasons.
Given Tracey's description of the term, it is quite clear that downshifting would eliminate one of my reasons for wanting to leave England: 2. Pace of life
AND I can also see how it could have a knock on effect of increasing community spirit – which is the main point of one of my other top 10 reasons: 3. Lack of people contact
Naturally the movement is also anti materialism – so would provide some armour in your defences against advertising – and help cross another reason for wanting to escape off the list: 5. Materialism...
So... for me – that’s three reasons "kind of" dealt with... hmmm – that still leaves seven!
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Weather - Thailand versus England
Almost a year ago now, while sitting in the living room of the flat I was renting in Suffolk, England – I came up with my top 10 reasons for wanting to leave England to live and work abroad. Now, I’m sitting in Thailand, living the next episode of my journey to lead a simpler life.
I’m from the school of thought “you never know until you try” and firmly believe that events and situations are very rarely as you imagined they would be. With that in mind, I didn’t leave England in January under the banner of “never to return again”, but more in an attempt to explore and discover the realities of living in other countries. Only then did I feel I could possibly be in a position to make an informed choice on “where to lay my hat”.
Having now spent 3 months away from England, and having gained a good insight into life in Thailand I felt it was time I started to revisit my top 10 reasons for wanting to leave England – to see if anything has changed.
The number one reason for wanting to leave England to live and work abroad, I previously attributed to - The Weather. Click here to read my thoughts on English weather.
So – now that I’ve been in South East Asia for longer than a 2 week holiday, how do I feel about the weather here – in comparison to the UK.
Even if you can’t stand the British weather, there are positive aspects to the seasons we experience in England. Whilst it has been great to be here in Thailand, beside beautiful beaches, with beaming sunshine radiating heat of 30 or 40 degrees, we have often craved a cold wintery night so we could snuggle up on the sofa with a duvet, and enter into a kind of hibernation. Winter in England, although it’s cold, meek and for many depressing, it is also a great time to rest, stay at home, rejuvenate, and consider new ventures. Then, only after the sleepiness of winter, can you experience the waking up in spring.
As we sweated our way through a very hot March over here in Thailand, we occasionally drifted off to fond thoughts of daffodils carpeting our local country park in Suffolk, spring born lambs playing in the fields, and walking the dog in the woods while witnessing the first signs of life in what seems like Nature’s New Year.
Here in Thailand, the changes in weather during March were less apparent. We were well into the hot season on Koh Lanta (South West Thailand), and at that point, no seasonal changes in nature had really been obvious – even the diving conditions were fairly constant. But as it got nearer the end of March, it got hotter and hotter, to a point we could barely move. While I enjoyed the laziness the heat inspired, Paul got frustrated and dreamt of cool, fresh, pine woodlands...
Then just as it got too hot to bear.... the weather cracked!!!
Lightening from our balcony a couple of days ago.
Then yesterday morning we sipped hot cups of tea, huddled under the cover of the Aqua Bar, outside the dive shop, while watching the treacherous rain carve rivers into the beach.
Suddenly the frogs started their loud choruses which more resemble the sound you would expect to hear from a gigantic herd of mooing cows, than a mass of frogs. And last night, riding home on the moped was more like racing around an obstacle course, as Paul swerved again and again, in attempt to dodge the frogs which seem to have appeared everywhere – from nowhere. Every now and again throughout the day, the insects in the trees and bushes started up their high pitch singing for a few minutes, and then miraculously, like a conducted orchestra, they all stop at the same time.
Thailand has two prominent seasons - dry season, and rainy season - high season and low season. The timing of each season varies considerably depending upon where in Thailand you are, and in some areas is actually the complete opposite to here on Koh Lanta. During low season (April/May – October/November) Koh Lanta pretty much closes down apart from Kan Tiang Bay in the South. The conditions of the sea make it difficult to dive, and the rain, although by no means continuous, is frequent enough to deter tourists.
Over the last couple of years the rain has arrived on Koh Lanta in May – and locals are unsure at the moment as to whether this last couple of stormy outbreaks - is the low season arriving a month early, or just a freak outbreak.
Whatever – the storms are amazing to watch for now – and provided a pleasant, but temporary break from the humid heat of the last few weeks..
I’m from the school of thought “you never know until you try” and firmly believe that events and situations are very rarely as you imagined they would be. With that in mind, I didn’t leave England in January under the banner of “never to return again”, but more in an attempt to explore and discover the realities of living in other countries. Only then did I feel I could possibly be in a position to make an informed choice on “where to lay my hat”.
Having now spent 3 months away from England, and having gained a good insight into life in Thailand I felt it was time I started to revisit my top 10 reasons for wanting to leave England – to see if anything has changed.
The number one reason for wanting to leave England to live and work abroad, I previously attributed to - The Weather. Click here to read my thoughts on English weather.
So – now that I’ve been in South East Asia for longer than a 2 week holiday, how do I feel about the weather here – in comparison to the UK.
Even if you can’t stand the British weather, there are positive aspects to the seasons we experience in England. Whilst it has been great to be here in Thailand, beside beautiful beaches, with beaming sunshine radiating heat of 30 or 40 degrees, we have often craved a cold wintery night so we could snuggle up on the sofa with a duvet, and enter into a kind of hibernation. Winter in England, although it’s cold, meek and for many depressing, it is also a great time to rest, stay at home, rejuvenate, and consider new ventures. Then, only after the sleepiness of winter, can you experience the waking up in spring.
As we sweated our way through a very hot March over here in Thailand, we occasionally drifted off to fond thoughts of daffodils carpeting our local country park in Suffolk, spring born lambs playing in the fields, and walking the dog in the woods while witnessing the first signs of life in what seems like Nature’s New Year.
Here in Thailand, the changes in weather during March were less apparent. We were well into the hot season on Koh Lanta (South West Thailand), and at that point, no seasonal changes in nature had really been obvious – even the diving conditions were fairly constant. But as it got nearer the end of March, it got hotter and hotter, to a point we could barely move. While I enjoyed the laziness the heat inspired, Paul got frustrated and dreamt of cool, fresh, pine woodlands...
Then just as it got too hot to bear.... the weather cracked!!!
Lightening from our balcony a couple of days ago.
Then yesterday morning we sipped hot cups of tea, huddled under the cover of the Aqua Bar, outside the dive shop, while watching the treacherous rain carve rivers into the beach.
Suddenly the frogs started their loud choruses which more resemble the sound you would expect to hear from a gigantic herd of mooing cows, than a mass of frogs. And last night, riding home on the moped was more like racing around an obstacle course, as Paul swerved again and again, in attempt to dodge the frogs which seem to have appeared everywhere – from nowhere. Every now and again throughout the day, the insects in the trees and bushes started up their high pitch singing for a few minutes, and then miraculously, like a conducted orchestra, they all stop at the same time.
Thailand has two prominent seasons - dry season, and rainy season - high season and low season. The timing of each season varies considerably depending upon where in Thailand you are, and in some areas is actually the complete opposite to here on Koh Lanta. During low season (April/May – October/November) Koh Lanta pretty much closes down apart from Kan Tiang Bay in the South. The conditions of the sea make it difficult to dive, and the rain, although by no means continuous, is frequent enough to deter tourists.
Over the last couple of years the rain has arrived on Koh Lanta in May – and locals are unsure at the moment as to whether this last couple of stormy outbreaks - is the low season arriving a month early, or just a freak outbreak.
Whatever – the storms are amazing to watch for now – and provided a pleasant, but temporary break from the humid heat of the last few weeks..
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Informative News
My last post highlighted the negativity of today's media, but I am also aware that you can't just report on the good things that happen... sometimes news of an unpleasurant nature is necessary in order to raise public awareness, and inspire change....
The following 2 articles (kindly brought to my attention by Pod) largely report on facts relating to the ecomony in Britain, which will be of interest to anyone who has ended up here because they are considering leaving England to live and work abroad..
As always though - it's important to bear in mind the agenda of the publisher when reading the more "subjective" sentences and comments...
How professionals can get 43 per cent pay bonus by working abroad
By BECKY BARROW
Workers who leave Britain for a job overseas can get a 43 per cent pay rise.
A professional gets an average wage of £47,000 in this country but overseas they can earn £67,000, a report says today.
Click here to read the full report
Goodbye to rip-off Britain
With the crunch coming, the articial inflation in the economy will soon be exposed
Martin Samuel
There is a guy, does business up town, doesn't use his car much, bit of a novice when it comes to scooting around London. Anyway, a few weeks back he has complications with late meetings so, for a couple of days, he drives in. First time, schoolboy error, he forgets to pay the congestion charge, incurs a £60 fine right there. His parking for the day comes to roughly £40 in an NCP. Next time, he remembers the congestion charge, but leaves his car on the street, doing the parking meter tango, feeding it, moving it, feeding it, moving it, £8 here, £6 there, until finally he gets really busy, overruns by five minutes and, bang, a £100 penalty. He reckons the whole experience, with petrol, of two days' motoring will have cost close to £300. He's a wealthy man, he can afford it; but suppose he was an ordinary working stiff from the sticks, bringing in the average wage? That could be his disposable income, after the mortgage, gone. For two innocent, pretty harmless, mistakes. This is why Gordon Brown is in trouble.
Click here to read full report
The following 2 articles (kindly brought to my attention by Pod) largely report on facts relating to the ecomony in Britain, which will be of interest to anyone who has ended up here because they are considering leaving England to live and work abroad..
As always though - it's important to bear in mind the agenda of the publisher when reading the more "subjective" sentences and comments...
How professionals can get 43 per cent pay bonus by working abroad
By BECKY BARROW
Workers who leave Britain for a job overseas can get a 43 per cent pay rise.
A professional gets an average wage of £47,000 in this country but overseas they can earn £67,000, a report says today.
Click here to read the full report
Goodbye to rip-off Britain
With the crunch coming, the articial inflation in the economy will soon be exposed
Martin Samuel
There is a guy, does business up town, doesn't use his car much, bit of a novice when it comes to scooting around London. Anyway, a few weeks back he has complications with late meetings so, for a couple of days, he drives in. First time, schoolboy error, he forgets to pay the congestion charge, incurs a £60 fine right there. His parking for the day comes to roughly £40 in an NCP. Next time, he remembers the congestion charge, but leaves his car on the street, doing the parking meter tango, feeding it, moving it, feeding it, moving it, £8 here, £6 there, until finally he gets really busy, overruns by five minutes and, bang, a £100 penalty. He reckons the whole experience, with petrol, of two days' motoring will have cost close to £300. He's a wealthy man, he can afford it; but suppose he was an ordinary working stiff from the sticks, bringing in the average wage? That could be his disposable income, after the mortgage, gone. For two innocent, pretty harmless, mistakes. This is why Gordon Brown is in trouble.
Click here to read full report
Friday, 28 March 2008
Emotional Pollutants
Within this post I’d like to refer to two sources...
1, An article in the Independent Newspaper called
“Anger – Why we’re all losing our cool”
2. A journal entry from my friend Pod on her return to England...
They are both connected in that they highlight the power of words and media on the nation’s psyche... when you are constantly bombarded with negativity, fear, terror, drama, anger etc etc.... you can’t but help to digest it some way... sometimes it seems the only way to escape it is it indeed to flea the country...
...in a world where we are struggling to deal with the negative impact of toxins upon the environment, it is also important to be aware of the “emotional pollutants” we all face....
Pod's Journal
"Well I am back in England after about 33 hours travelling. Not a bad journey at all.
I want to tell you what hit me! Why I find it hard to be here....
I read everything! I can't help it. My mind just reads anything that it can see, and I am sure everyone else is like that too, it is just that we do it so subconsciously we do not real*eyes it.
Mainly it is the adverts that get to me. The train stopped at Manchester Picadilly for five minutes. Bleary eyes, I looked out of the window to be confronted by two billboards directly outside the train window. I could not see anything else in my line of vision until I had read their contents.
The first one read " TERROR VIOLENCE KILLING"
and then below in smaller letters "Underneath the bleeding"
It is an advert for a book and the same billboard is at Sheffield station on the walkway. Can you imagine how many people subconsciously read it as they go to and from their destinations?
Next to it was another billboard which read "In a country where crime does not exist, a serial killer has a perfect alibi" and then more blurb about violence which I cannot recall (thank God)
In Thailand, I cannot read the billboards, even if there are any in Koh Lanta. Now I’m back in England, I have no defence against this and it has struck me hard, the violent energy of the words went deep into me. It was very uncomfortable. I have let my mind travel free and unfettered by the subconscious advertising of the Western World. Maybe in England we have mental shutters up and this stops us from exploring other thoughts of a purer and more peaceful nature.
Of course after so long an abstinence from English, my mafia mind is hungry and greedy for anything it can read and understand, and therein lies the trap. I do not want to have this stuff in my consciousness, but unless I go round blindfolded, I do not know what to do about it......"
End of Pod's Journal
Thank you Pod for sharing your thoughts and feelings upon returning to England. I can relate to your account very well. I remember returning to England a few years ago after a year in South East Asia... After a tearful and warm embrace with my family at the airport, and a cup of tea to catch up with each other, we set off in the car to make our way back home.
The radio was on in the car, and within minutes I heard news of a horrific murder which had taken place in some location miles and miles and miles away from my home... When I heard the news my emotions were immediately dampened and a sinking feeling came over me... and I promptly wanted to get out of there.... it felt toxic!
The question is - did I really need to know about it anyway???
Was it really news that I needed to hear in order to carry out my life?
Was there anything I could do about it?
Would me knowing help anyone in anyway whatsoever?
Yes - it may be reality, and that kind of thing certainly goes on... but the news is always so unbalanced that eventually you feel as though only bad things happen... and you end up feeling despair and apathy... you can't do anything to change things..
And on a deeper level.. how does this kind of emotion work? Where does it lead? The impact of unbalance negative news can only lead to anger, depression, fear and apathy leading to a tendency to escape the so called reality by burying yourself in alcohol, work, drugs or whatever else helps to numb the brain of the horrific acts we are led to believe form the MAJORITY of our reality....
For years I have believed there is a call for a newspaper or something which contains more balanced news... Media which places a greater emphasis on the positive things that are happening around the world... Media which inspires and injects hope and optimism into the psyche of its readers...
Well as yet - I haven't started such a newspaper... but I have started researching what media exists already.. here are some links to some sites which focus on positive news...
http://www.positivenews.org.uk
http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/
http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp
http://www.gnmagazine.org/
1, An article in the Independent Newspaper called
“Anger – Why we’re all losing our cool”
2. A journal entry from my friend Pod on her return to England...
They are both connected in that they highlight the power of words and media on the nation’s psyche... when you are constantly bombarded with negativity, fear, terror, drama, anger etc etc.... you can’t but help to digest it some way... sometimes it seems the only way to escape it is it indeed to flea the country...
...in a world where we are struggling to deal with the negative impact of toxins upon the environment, it is also important to be aware of the “emotional pollutants” we all face....
Pod's Journal
"Well I am back in England after about 33 hours travelling. Not a bad journey at all.
I want to tell you what hit me! Why I find it hard to be here....
I read everything! I can't help it. My mind just reads anything that it can see, and I am sure everyone else is like that too, it is just that we do it so subconsciously we do not real*eyes it.
Mainly it is the adverts that get to me. The train stopped at Manchester Picadilly for five minutes. Bleary eyes, I looked out of the window to be confronted by two billboards directly outside the train window. I could not see anything else in my line of vision until I had read their contents.
The first one read " TERROR VIOLENCE KILLING"
and then below in smaller letters "Underneath the bleeding"
It is an advert for a book and the same billboard is at Sheffield station on the walkway. Can you imagine how many people subconsciously read it as they go to and from their destinations?
Next to it was another billboard which read "In a country where crime does not exist, a serial killer has a perfect alibi" and then more blurb about violence which I cannot recall (thank God)
In Thailand, I cannot read the billboards, even if there are any in Koh Lanta. Now I’m back in England, I have no defence against this and it has struck me hard, the violent energy of the words went deep into me. It was very uncomfortable. I have let my mind travel free and unfettered by the subconscious advertising of the Western World. Maybe in England we have mental shutters up and this stops us from exploring other thoughts of a purer and more peaceful nature.
Of course after so long an abstinence from English, my mafia mind is hungry and greedy for anything it can read and understand, and therein lies the trap. I do not want to have this stuff in my consciousness, but unless I go round blindfolded, I do not know what to do about it......"
End of Pod's Journal
Thank you Pod for sharing your thoughts and feelings upon returning to England. I can relate to your account very well. I remember returning to England a few years ago after a year in South East Asia... After a tearful and warm embrace with my family at the airport, and a cup of tea to catch up with each other, we set off in the car to make our way back home.
The radio was on in the car, and within minutes I heard news of a horrific murder which had taken place in some location miles and miles and miles away from my home... When I heard the news my emotions were immediately dampened and a sinking feeling came over me... and I promptly wanted to get out of there.... it felt toxic!
The question is - did I really need to know about it anyway???
Was it really news that I needed to hear in order to carry out my life?
Was there anything I could do about it?
Would me knowing help anyone in anyway whatsoever?
Yes - it may be reality, and that kind of thing certainly goes on... but the news is always so unbalanced that eventually you feel as though only bad things happen... and you end up feeling despair and apathy... you can't do anything to change things..
And on a deeper level.. how does this kind of emotion work? Where does it lead? The impact of unbalance negative news can only lead to anger, depression, fear and apathy leading to a tendency to escape the so called reality by burying yourself in alcohol, work, drugs or whatever else helps to numb the brain of the horrific acts we are led to believe form the MAJORITY of our reality....
For years I have believed there is a call for a newspaper or something which contains more balanced news... Media which places a greater emphasis on the positive things that are happening around the world... Media which inspires and injects hope and optimism into the psyche of its readers...
Well as yet - I haven't started such a newspaper... but I have started researching what media exists already.. here are some links to some sites which focus on positive news...
http://www.positivenews.org.uk
http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/
http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp
http://www.gnmagazine.org/
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
What happened to the land of hope and glory?
Today I felt it was time to address the issue in hand again... Why are so many people choosing to leave England and live abroad? I’ve scoured the internet and found a load of articles and views of the general public. A good friend of mine here on Koh Lanta has also forwarded some links to news articles which I’ve also contained below.
My feeling when reading through these articles is one of sadness and despair...
I am proud to be English – even though I’m not quite sure what the English identity is!
I love my friends and family who are also English... but I don’t care much for the growing “Chav” culture, and I’m concerned about what the up and coming English generation are going to be like...
I love the English countryside, cups of tea, and David Attenborough, but I hate the way everyone looks so miserable in the streets, how children are not allowed to play conkers anymore, how true creativity has been stifled and squashed by so called “health and safety”, how “mental illness” is one of the largest growing ailments of the people, how we’re bombarded with negativity, advertising and materialism, how you have to earn way above the average wage to make ends meet, and so on and so on and so on....
I feel even sadder that there is no one that offers hope of a brighter future to a nation with so much history... Where is the land of hope and glory? Where is the next revolutionary leader who is sincere, honest, intelligent and strong enough to dodge the negative impacts of power? A leader who inspires the public and delivers the change so many of us want... When I think of well known English characters – the only person I can think of who has proved his integrity over a lifetime – is David Attenborough... David – can you please take up politics????
Even as I type I go through a roller coaster of emotions... I feel hope rising as I contemplate the possibility of a revolutionary leader, and then I plunge downhill into disappointment when I realise that the British Media, and the public’s lack of trust in any leader – would make it near impossible for such a leader to emerge...
In fact that rollercoaster of hope and disappointment - is an emotion I find extremely familiar when I think of England's recent history and psyche...
The only reassurance I take from reading all of these articles is that I am not alone. I am not mad for wanting to look for a better life. And like many other people who consider leaving, I am by no means abandoning my country – I think it’s fairer to say we feel as though we have been abandoned by our country...
Links to news articles and views of the public:
Views from the people – on the Telegraph website... This is a great read and an excellent insight into the huge swelling of discontentment with life in England. Be warned however – there are over 700 comments from the general public...
Why are so many Britons Emigrating? - The Telegraph
Recent report from the Guardian regarding the cost of living in the UK
£42 a day: cost of UK family bills - The Guardian
A snippet from John Redwood’s Diary – I’m not a “conservative”, and I certainly haven’t been a fan of John Redwood – but he does hit the spot in this report which demonstrates an understanding of why so many people are leaving England.
John Redwood's Diary - Why are so many people leaving the UK?
A report in the Telegraph, which highlights that many of the people who are choosing to leave England are skilled, qualified, and intelligent, as oppose to the unskilled immigrants entering. What are the long term effects of such a brain drain? There is a strong focus in the report on the number of immigrants being a driving force for people to emigrate.. Immigration has nothing to do with my reasons – nor has it really entered into the conversation with other English expats I’ve met while travelling – so I think they may be missing the real cause for concern... I can’t speak for everyone, but I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of those who leave the country actually embrace multiculturalism. How could we not? We are immigrants ourselves....
One thing I do like about this article however is that it also highlights that the British have been wanderers for centuries – hence the British Empire, and the use of English as a world wide language..
Why Britain's brightest and best are emigrating - The Telegraph
What can be done to halt Britain’s brain drain ? Another article from the Telegraph with loads of rants from the public.
My feeling when reading through these articles is one of sadness and despair...
I am proud to be English – even though I’m not quite sure what the English identity is!
I love my friends and family who are also English... but I don’t care much for the growing “Chav” culture, and I’m concerned about what the up and coming English generation are going to be like...
I love the English countryside, cups of tea, and David Attenborough, but I hate the way everyone looks so miserable in the streets, how children are not allowed to play conkers anymore, how true creativity has been stifled and squashed by so called “health and safety”, how “mental illness” is one of the largest growing ailments of the people, how we’re bombarded with negativity, advertising and materialism, how you have to earn way above the average wage to make ends meet, and so on and so on and so on....
I feel even sadder that there is no one that offers hope of a brighter future to a nation with so much history... Where is the land of hope and glory? Where is the next revolutionary leader who is sincere, honest, intelligent and strong enough to dodge the negative impacts of power? A leader who inspires the public and delivers the change so many of us want... When I think of well known English characters – the only person I can think of who has proved his integrity over a lifetime – is David Attenborough... David – can you please take up politics????
Even as I type I go through a roller coaster of emotions... I feel hope rising as I contemplate the possibility of a revolutionary leader, and then I plunge downhill into disappointment when I realise that the British Media, and the public’s lack of trust in any leader – would make it near impossible for such a leader to emerge...
In fact that rollercoaster of hope and disappointment - is an emotion I find extremely familiar when I think of England's recent history and psyche...
The only reassurance I take from reading all of these articles is that I am not alone. I am not mad for wanting to look for a better life. And like many other people who consider leaving, I am by no means abandoning my country – I think it’s fairer to say we feel as though we have been abandoned by our country...
Links to news articles and views of the public:
Views from the people – on the Telegraph website... This is a great read and an excellent insight into the huge swelling of discontentment with life in England. Be warned however – there are over 700 comments from the general public...
Why are so many Britons Emigrating? - The Telegraph
Recent report from the Guardian regarding the cost of living in the UK
£42 a day: cost of UK family bills - The Guardian
A snippet from John Redwood’s Diary – I’m not a “conservative”, and I certainly haven’t been a fan of John Redwood – but he does hit the spot in this report which demonstrates an understanding of why so many people are leaving England.
John Redwood's Diary - Why are so many people leaving the UK?
A report in the Telegraph, which highlights that many of the people who are choosing to leave England are skilled, qualified, and intelligent, as oppose to the unskilled immigrants entering. What are the long term effects of such a brain drain? There is a strong focus in the report on the number of immigrants being a driving force for people to emigrate.. Immigration has nothing to do with my reasons – nor has it really entered into the conversation with other English expats I’ve met while travelling – so I think they may be missing the real cause for concern... I can’t speak for everyone, but I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of those who leave the country actually embrace multiculturalism. How could we not? We are immigrants ourselves....
One thing I do like about this article however is that it also highlights that the British have been wanderers for centuries – hence the British Empire, and the use of English as a world wide language..
Why Britain's brightest and best are emigrating - The Telegraph
What can be done to halt Britain’s brain drain ? Another article from the Telegraph with loads of rants from the public.
Monday, 28 January 2008
Record Number of Brits Choose to Escape England
Today a fellow escapee led me to the following news article from the Daily Mail.
High Taxes and Soaring Crime Force 700 Britons to Flee the Country Every Day
In summary latest figures show that during 2007 a whopping 250,000 Brits emmigrated during 2007, compared to 207,000 in 2006, and 149,000 in 1997.
Top destinations are Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain or the U.S.
The article claims that the main motives for people choosing to emmigrate are high taxes, soaring crime, and general lifestyle...
Sitting here in Thailand I have a number of English people around me, who are here either temporarily or permanently. They all have many motives for being here, but without doubt there is a general underlying discontentment with life back home in the rat race.
While some people are drawn here time and time again for the beautiful beaches, the relaxed lifestyle, the great diving, and the hot weather - some are also here to avoid and escape the feeling of opression and stress that they cannot escape from when they are in England.
It is estimated that the number of Brits choosing to emmigrate will continue to soar over the coming years, but bizarrely the number of immigrants is also increasing - and out weighing those leaving. The population is therefore still on the increase - despite the mass exodus of Brits.
Where will it lead....
Will it reach a point where the number of people choosing to emmigrate each year matches or exceeds those who turn to England for the "democracy" or "prospects" that their own countries lack?
Will England become a country with a lower number of natives than immigrants?
Certainly that seems an extreme scenario, however if you extrapolate the statistics - it's not an unreasonable suggestion.
And then - if native English are spread thinly around the world, living in different cultures, reproducing, and adopting the attitudes and lifestyles of other countries - what will happen to the English?
In the most extreme of scenarios - we could become an endangered species!!!
High Taxes and Soaring Crime Force 700 Britons to Flee the Country Every Day
In summary latest figures show that during 2007 a whopping 250,000 Brits emmigrated during 2007, compared to 207,000 in 2006, and 149,000 in 1997.
Top destinations are Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain or the U.S.
The article claims that the main motives for people choosing to emmigrate are high taxes, soaring crime, and general lifestyle...
Sitting here in Thailand I have a number of English people around me, who are here either temporarily or permanently. They all have many motives for being here, but without doubt there is a general underlying discontentment with life back home in the rat race.
While some people are drawn here time and time again for the beautiful beaches, the relaxed lifestyle, the great diving, and the hot weather - some are also here to avoid and escape the feeling of opression and stress that they cannot escape from when they are in England.
It is estimated that the number of Brits choosing to emmigrate will continue to soar over the coming years, but bizarrely the number of immigrants is also increasing - and out weighing those leaving. The population is therefore still on the increase - despite the mass exodus of Brits.
Where will it lead....
Will it reach a point where the number of people choosing to emmigrate each year matches or exceeds those who turn to England for the "democracy" or "prospects" that their own countries lack?
Will England become a country with a lower number of natives than immigrants?
Certainly that seems an extreme scenario, however if you extrapolate the statistics - it's not an unreasonable suggestion.
And then - if native English are spread thinly around the world, living in different cultures, reproducing, and adopting the attitudes and lifestyles of other countries - what will happen to the English?
In the most extreme of scenarios - we could become an endangered species!!!
Sunday, 16 December 2007
England - The Best Place in the World to Grow Up...
Last week my ears pricked open with interest while I was pottering around the house with the news on the TV in the background.
The BBC were reporting on “The Children’s’ Plan – a new £1bn, 10 year strategy for education, welfare and play.” The vision of this seemingly revolutionary strategy is simple – to make our country the best place in the world to grow up.
Click here for the full report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7136564.stm
This item of news is very close to my heart. I’m 35 years of age, and as yet I haven’t had any children. Why? Well it’s quite simple really. Bringing up a child in England quite literally scares the pants off me!
Parenting has to be one of THE most difficult jobs in the world ever, and I’m sure the rewards can be equally as monumental. BUT – it seems to me that English parents have untold pressures that reach far beyond the already daunting prospect of simply being responsible for another person’s life.
What kind of income do people bring in to achieve all of the following?
1. Buy a house in today’s property market. The smallest of houses can leave you stressing over bringing in enough cash to make the payments, let alone a house that's large enough to bring up a family.
2. Fashionably furnish it and fill it with all the latest technology that your children will need in order to be on an equal par with their friends and the demands of the education system.
3. Buy your children nice clothes and the toys they long for so much because their friends have all got them.
4. Pay for school trips & hobbies
5. Save up so that you can send your child to university
Unless one of the parents is very successful it seems to me that both parents (if they're fortunate enough to still be together) will need to bring in above the national average to achieve all of these things. If they’re both working hard to earn over the national average – what time will they have left to be parents??
Given the facts and the reality of what it takes financially to bring up a child in England – I always end up feeling depressed at the thought of it! Of course, you can take another stance, and say that you will educate them on consumerism and how they can’t always have what they want – but that approach seems increasingly difficult and challenging in today’s society. In fact, that approach seems even more challenging than working your socks off to give them what they want!
So – getting back to the new strategy announced last week, wow – have they finally got it?? Well, there are some great things in there; such as more play areas, more support for parents, reviewing the sats and stuff like that. BUT, I was completely disheartened by what seemed to me, an obvious indication that they hadn’t quite got it. There was continuous reference to providing a “World Class Education System”, so that children could flourish and reach their potential.
This constant drive in England to be THE best in the world at absolutely everything is surely at the root of the pressures, stresses and mental health problems that are prevalent today.
Now – I’m very competitive myself, and I always strive to be the best, so I do have an element of conflict over my own opinions on this subject. But I have to ask – what would it be like to simply BE! Why do we have to be the best? And how much easier would it be for children and parents if England were to withdraw from the race to power and the competition to be THE best country in the world at absolutely everything?
What about aiming to be the happiest and most content nation in the World? How about striving to become a nation that doesn’t worry about their position in comparison to the rest of the world? How about aiming for emotional strength, fulfillment and self sufficiency?
Is it possible, that such a relaxed approach would lead by default to England becoming the best country in the world to live?
I know it’s not as simple as that, but I would love to hear your views – particularly if you’re a parent.
If you’re a parent in another country what’s it like for you?
The BBC were reporting on “The Children’s’ Plan – a new £1bn, 10 year strategy for education, welfare and play.” The vision of this seemingly revolutionary strategy is simple – to make our country the best place in the world to grow up.
Click here for the full report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7136564.stm
This item of news is very close to my heart. I’m 35 years of age, and as yet I haven’t had any children. Why? Well it’s quite simple really. Bringing up a child in England quite literally scares the pants off me!
Parenting has to be one of THE most difficult jobs in the world ever, and I’m sure the rewards can be equally as monumental. BUT – it seems to me that English parents have untold pressures that reach far beyond the already daunting prospect of simply being responsible for another person’s life.
What kind of income do people bring in to achieve all of the following?
1. Buy a house in today’s property market. The smallest of houses can leave you stressing over bringing in enough cash to make the payments, let alone a house that's large enough to bring up a family.
2. Fashionably furnish it and fill it with all the latest technology that your children will need in order to be on an equal par with their friends and the demands of the education system.
3. Buy your children nice clothes and the toys they long for so much because their friends have all got them.
4. Pay for school trips & hobbies
5. Save up so that you can send your child to university
Unless one of the parents is very successful it seems to me that both parents (if they're fortunate enough to still be together) will need to bring in above the national average to achieve all of these things. If they’re both working hard to earn over the national average – what time will they have left to be parents??
Given the facts and the reality of what it takes financially to bring up a child in England – I always end up feeling depressed at the thought of it! Of course, you can take another stance, and say that you will educate them on consumerism and how they can’t always have what they want – but that approach seems increasingly difficult and challenging in today’s society. In fact, that approach seems even more challenging than working your socks off to give them what they want!
So – getting back to the new strategy announced last week, wow – have they finally got it?? Well, there are some great things in there; such as more play areas, more support for parents, reviewing the sats and stuff like that. BUT, I was completely disheartened by what seemed to me, an obvious indication that they hadn’t quite got it. There was continuous reference to providing a “World Class Education System”, so that children could flourish and reach their potential.
This constant drive in England to be THE best in the world at absolutely everything is surely at the root of the pressures, stresses and mental health problems that are prevalent today.
Now – I’m very competitive myself, and I always strive to be the best, so I do have an element of conflict over my own opinions on this subject. But I have to ask – what would it be like to simply BE! Why do we have to be the best? And how much easier would it be for children and parents if England were to withdraw from the race to power and the competition to be THE best country in the world at absolutely everything?
What about aiming to be the happiest and most content nation in the World? How about striving to become a nation that doesn’t worry about their position in comparison to the rest of the world? How about aiming for emotional strength, fulfillment and self sufficiency?
Is it possible, that such a relaxed approach would lead by default to England becoming the best country in the world to live?
I know it’s not as simple as that, but I would love to hear your views – particularly if you’re a parent.
If you’re a parent in another country what’s it like for you?
Friday, 15 June 2007
How do we feel about consumerism?
Below follows some notable comments from readers regarding consumerism...
Scott Eaton said
“It's very true what you say about consumerism spreading, I read an article in "das Magazin" about how much space people live in in different countries and one of the questions was what is the item of most worth to them. One of the families lived in Mongolia in quite a small tent but the father answered the question with "my TV"... with the TV comes all the other "wants" and thus is the root of all evil.
I don't like the consumerist lifestyle (if you can call it that) but I do like things, my computer, my watch, my headphones, but i really try to judge what I want and why I want it, also if it's worth working for. My stereo is good but old and I'd like a new one but I don't think it's worth going to work more just to buy the new B&O if you get my drift.”
14 June 2007 10:02
21st Century Mummy said...
"Hi Tina - great article and thanks for the recognition. I love our chats. :-)
Consumerism has just gone plain mad, especially re children...each year I dread the Christmas pile that arrives from well-meaning friends & relatives. We have no room left for more toys and despite alternative suggestions...it just keeps coming...and we're not going to buy a bigger house just to store it all in ;-@.
Scott, you're so right about the TV. There's nothing quite like the ad which shows that you're not quite as happy as the people in the advert who have the latest 21st Century gadgets with the bells and whistles. Sometimes, I really think I belong in time far far away."
15 June 2007 05:48
Tina said
"Hi Scott & 21st Century Mummy
Scott - yes its true about the TV. I remember back in 1997 travelling around some far out places in Indonesia - where the villages had very little in the way of modern equipment and had no schools. They were extremely poor in wooden shacks - yet to my amazement there satelite dishes everywhere sticking out of the shacks..??? I remember wondering at the time how this made them feel. For years they had no contact with the rest of the world and survived on very little - then with one small addition to their belongings they were exposed to the western world and all the desires that go with it... yet they were in a position where they were completely unable to obtain such a lifestyle... I can't imagine what effect that would have on their psyche....
21st Century Mummy - consumerism gone mad where children are concerned... For sure.. As a woman who hasn't yet had a child, the thought of bringing one up in such a consumer environment scares the pants off me :-) Just the thought of the enormous responsibility is hard to bear - but when you start thinking of the surroundings they are going to grow up in, and all the conflicts with the children comparing themselves to their friends - and wanting what others have.... How on earth does a parent deal with that?? Its enough to make me want to leave the country, find some desert island somewhere - then have a child and educate him/her myself...."
What does everyone else think? Particularly regarding parenthood in a consumer world...
Scott Eaton said
“It's very true what you say about consumerism spreading, I read an article in "das Magazin" about how much space people live in in different countries and one of the questions was what is the item of most worth to them. One of the families lived in Mongolia in quite a small tent but the father answered the question with "my TV"... with the TV comes all the other "wants" and thus is the root of all evil.
I don't like the consumerist lifestyle (if you can call it that) but I do like things, my computer, my watch, my headphones, but i really try to judge what I want and why I want it, also if it's worth working for. My stereo is good but old and I'd like a new one but I don't think it's worth going to work more just to buy the new B&O if you get my drift.”
14 June 2007 10:02
21st Century Mummy said...
"Hi Tina - great article and thanks for the recognition. I love our chats. :-)
Consumerism has just gone plain mad, especially re children...each year I dread the Christmas pile that arrives from well-meaning friends & relatives. We have no room left for more toys and despite alternative suggestions...it just keeps coming...and we're not going to buy a bigger house just to store it all in ;-@.
Scott, you're so right about the TV. There's nothing quite like the ad which shows that you're not quite as happy as the people in the advert who have the latest 21st Century gadgets with the bells and whistles. Sometimes, I really think I belong in time far far away."
15 June 2007 05:48
Tina said
"Hi Scott & 21st Century Mummy
Scott - yes its true about the TV. I remember back in 1997 travelling around some far out places in Indonesia - where the villages had very little in the way of modern equipment and had no schools. They were extremely poor in wooden shacks - yet to my amazement there satelite dishes everywhere sticking out of the shacks..??? I remember wondering at the time how this made them feel. For years they had no contact with the rest of the world and survived on very little - then with one small addition to their belongings they were exposed to the western world and all the desires that go with it... yet they were in a position where they were completely unable to obtain such a lifestyle... I can't imagine what effect that would have on their psyche....
21st Century Mummy - consumerism gone mad where children are concerned... For sure.. As a woman who hasn't yet had a child, the thought of bringing one up in such a consumer environment scares the pants off me :-) Just the thought of the enormous responsibility is hard to bear - but when you start thinking of the surroundings they are going to grow up in, and all the conflicts with the children comparing themselves to their friends - and wanting what others have.... How on earth does a parent deal with that?? Its enough to make me want to leave the country, find some desert island somewhere - then have a child and educate him/her myself...."
What does everyone else think? Particularly regarding parenthood in a consumer world...
Can We Escape Consumerism?
During the time I have been writing this blog, through the comments I’ve received and through discussions with different people, it has become apparent that people from other countries are also trying to escape something. As disheartened as some people may be with various aspects of England, it is clear that other countries have their own problems too, which may or may not be similar to those we experience here in England.
One common thread however is that many people seem to be longing to hop off the hamster wheel of modern life. It seems that there is a general awakening and awareness to the meaningless and emptiness of exhausting ourselves working for the sole purpose of purchasing the next big expensive object to fill our life with momentary pleasure.
If you are looking to escape England and live and work abroad, I believe there is a primary question you need to ask yourself – certainly it’s a question I’ve been challenging myself with over the last year or so. Do you want to escape England – or do you just want to escape consumerism?
For me, escaping consumerism plays a huge factor. I gain no soulful pleasure from working all the hours under the sun just so that I can buy a new car. From experience I know that the pleasure delivered by these purchases are short lived. As soon as the pleasure where’s off – you need the next fix – the next big expensive thing – a bigger house, a better TV, a more exclusive holiday, a better car – and so on. And as a result you can easily see how you could potentially end up running faster and faster in the hamster wheel. It’s crazy and leads absolutely nowhere.
Now – for those of us that are keen to escape consumerism, there is another answer other than leaving the country. We could simply choose not to “buy in” to the whole thing. We could choose to live simpler lives, become more self sufficient, spend more time with friends and family but above all – SPEND LESS.
Personally – I think this is a very tough call. We are continuously seduced and bombarded with marketing strategies cleverly designed to subconsciously make us want to buy. In addition to this – I think we’re in the minority. I believe it is extremely tough to remove yourself from consumerism when you are living in a country where consumerism is at the core of its existence. I have always been the kind of gal who would much rather remove temptation than resist temptation – maybe that makes me weak willed? But whatever – it’s true…
As far as consumerism goes – logic tells me that the best way to escape the seduction of career, money and the perceived success and respect this brings – is to take yourself to a country which is not so hungry for material wealth. To live in an area where you are surrounded by people who really don’t have a great deal – but are nevertheless happy. To find a home where people have time for each other, time to relax and where all that really matters to everyone is ensuring that the very basic human needs are met.
What concerns me however – is the rate at which consumerism can spread – like a disease which has no cure. If we blindly remove ourselves from consumerism by taking ourselves to places where it is less prevalent – then I imagine that we have not actually tackled the real issues. As a result our consumer attitudes will follow us wherever we go – and – as contagious as it surely is- consumerism will continue to spread – until there is no place left to go.
So please ask yourself the question – do you want to escape England, or do you want to escape consumerism? If you want to escape consumerism – then fine – me too… but we need to ensure that we do actually escape it – and we don’t just take it with us!
If you have any thoughts on how to escape consumerism – then please do share… Or maybe you can enlighten us all to some of the benefits of consumerism… whatever your thoughts – I’ love to hear them…
Here's one useful link to start us off:
http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-Consumerism
Thanks to the 21stcenturymummy for inspiring this post – and the bottle of wine I’ve just consumed to help find the words!!!
Monday, 7 May 2007
Found yourself, came back to England, and now you want OUT?
If you feel as though you can connect with the following situation, then my heart goes out to you.
Many Brits take a gap year to explore themselves and the rest of the world. Whether it’s taken between school and university, taken as a career break for the older generation, or whether it’s taken in an attempt to find that “something else” you’ve been looking for – whatever the reason a large percentage of Brits will travel at some stage in their life.
Somehow though, it’s a bit like opening Pandora’s Box. Once you’ve seen and experienced a variety of different cultures, lifestyles and places, returning to England and your “previous” life can be quite torturous, and could potentially be one of the most difficult and pivotal times of your life.
Are you someone who has travelled and started out with the view that it was a once in a life time experience, something that you needed to get out of your system before you settled down? Whether you would be attempting to settling down for the first time, second time or third – the chances are that you did anticipate that your travelling period was a temporary phase that you only had the luxury of enjoying before you entered the permanent state of “settled” life. Certainly it is true that the “normal” and “accepted” belief is that travelling is an opportunity to temporarily “escape” from reality and responsibilities, a time to throw caution to the wind, living a carefree and exploratory existence, with no pressures or concerns greater than trying to decide which idyllic island to visit next.
However, once you have witnessed places where people don’t have much in the way of material possessions, but are nevertheless happy, it can be difficult to adapt back to accepting the consumerism of the west. The rapid pace of western society can seem pointless and meaningless once you have seen and experienced life where people operate at a much slower pace, because enjoying the day takes priority over running an efficient system.
After a period of travel your values, principles and ideals can change quite dramatically, and in many cases, returning to England can prove to be the largest culture shock of your life. Returning to your previous life may no longer be an option.
People generally tend to move in one of two directions at this stage. They will either sail through the transition, find work and adapt back to life in England, or they will struggle immensely, with an ever returning desire to get back on the road again.
I have returned to England on numerous occasions now, and each time I have always tried to enter into “the kingdom of settled life”, the normal, commonly accepted, structure created for a society quite different to the one we live in today. Every time I fail. No matter how much I adopt a positive mentality towards England, I still have a burning urge to leave. I have seen friends return to England and go through the same battles, with financial security and the pressure of what is expected of them by society and family, top of the list of worries.
If you are one of these people I hope that you find some comfort and inspiration in this blog. I personally believe that it is imperfectly normal to want to continue to travel, and that perhaps being “settled” for some of us, may mean not necessarily mean “settling down” in one place, but being settled and content with our need to explore, travel and embrace new experiences and places. I also believe that with modern technologies it is possible to sustain financial security, and also bring up a family, whilst enjoying the freedom of travel. I just think that we need to be creative in carving out our own lifestyles. We need to boycott traditional thinking, stop behaving like sheep – and think outside of the box to create a lifestyle suited to our own individual needs.
I hope you join me on my journey. As likeminded individuals we are more likely to reach workable solutions for freedom, if we share our experiences, views and ideas.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Escapee Type 2 - Finding Yourself
Typically people that fall into this group will be at a transitional stage in their lives.
It could be that having striven for a career for many years you’ve realised that it doesn’t fulfil you in the way that you thought it would.
Or maybe you are experiencing a relationship break up and now you are viewing life completely differently, unsure what to do with your life, or what you want out of life.
It could be that you have suffered a loss of someone close to you, and you have gained a new perspective on life, or maybe you are reaching middle age, and want to go out and see what else the world has to offer before it’s too late…
There are many situations that could potentially lead to someone feeling the desire to just hit the road, and see the world.
As with the nomad or the explorer, simply looking to relocate to another country may not satisfy this desire. Nor will a concise and detailed travel itinerary which takes you around the world on a schedule of activities and tourist sightings deliver the insights you may be looking for.
Consider the possibility, that to “find yourself” maybe you need to “lose yourself”. It sounds barmy I know – but abandoning planning, abandoning schedules, and making yourself open and available to whatever opportunities may come your way – could open doors you had never even imagined – let alone contemplated doing.
Think of it this way. Imagine you have decided that you want to go out to see the world, to see what life has to offer, and to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. So… you sit down, you look at all the countries in the world, and research the sights you think you want to see, and the activities you think you want to take part in. You then set on your merry way – with your rucksack on your back, and your schedule firmly in your back pocket. What do you think you will discover about yourself on this “journey”, other than whether or not you enjoyed the things you thought you would?
Imagine that while you’re at a destination you meet a group of people that you really enjoy hanging out with. Their next destination is in the opposite direction to yours, and you’d never even heard of this amazing new retreat where people learn how to fly in their dreams while sleeping. You used to fly in your dreams, and wake up feeling awesome – and would love to go and find out some more about this somewhat “whacky” activity. Unfortunately however – you’re booked into a hotel in Bangkok, and then your flight is scheduled to leave for America a week later – where you planned to check out the Statue of Liberty – the concept of which now sounds extremely dull in comparison to learning how to fly in your sleep!!
The examples I’ve used are just that – as far as I know – no such “sleep & fly in your dreams” retreat exists on this earth – but I hope you get the point that I’m trying to make.
My humble advice to anyone who is planning to travel in order to find out more about themselves – would be to keep your options as open as possible – and to allow yourself to go with the flow. Always be aware of potential danger, and make sure someone has an idea what you are up to and where you are going – but in general – keep your eyes beaming with excitement and set yourself a mission to try things and open yourself up to the possibilities and opportunities of the unknown. Live with uncertainty and follow the stepping stones of fate and whatever you fancy at the time!!!
By the way – if anyone does know of a retreat where you can learn to fly in your dreams – PLEASE – let me know….!!!
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Escapee Type 1 - Explorer, Student of Life, Nomad
1. Explorer, Student of Life, Nomad
Looking back through history, nomads and explorers have always existed. Entire populations have wandered and moved to new settlements, more suitable to their needs. Individuals have left for foreign shores and ventured out into the unknown in order to "discover".
Way back in time, immigration and emigration didn't take on the formal process that it does today. From what I can gather, people hopped on boats, or took to the road and endured dangerous (and in many cases fatal) journeys in order to reach a better land, or "the promised land".
Wandering, exploring, discovering - these are all characteristics that are deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Our need to reach out and connect with other nations and other countries is surely a driving force behind the invention of flying, and other modern technologies such as the Internet.
Now - the privilege of relatively low risk travel and international communication is available to the masses. No longer is exploring the world reserved for those that have the knowledge and inclination to gather a crew, hire a ship, and dare to enter lands or waters unknown.
Please excuse me for stating the obvious - of course we all know that already... But the point I am trying to make is that in some cases, for some people, the need and desire to travel has nothing to do with the state of any given country. Some people are simply just born to explore and perhaps will never "settle down" anywhere.
It is this group of people that I believe fall into "Escapee Type - No.1" Although the term "escapee" doesn't really fit. For these people (myself included), it really isn't about "escaping from" - it is about "running to" and "embracing" the rest of the World. Meeting new people, seeing different lands, learning about other cultures, and embracing the diversity, colourfulness and craziness of the World we live in.
In general people that fall into this group will often feel "unsettled" or "unable to commit" in what is regarded today as a "normal" life. The concept of living in one place for ever more, and entering into the modern concept of the nuclear family, will be if anything "unsettling" for them. Only content when they are discovering new things, places and meeting new people, these people are not necessarily suffering from intimacy issues, or some kind of mental health problem that prevents them from settling down(though this may be a possibility in some cases). They are simply "explorers" - and that's fine...
Now - if you feel connected to this description, it may not be the answer for you to simply uproot your life, and go to live somewhere else. You may enjoy the change initially. Excited by what you find, the new people, the different way of life etc etc. But after a while, your desire to move and travel will again come to the surface.
For this reason its probably a better idea to simple hit the road, and keep travelling, until you want to stop somewhere. Then stop, until you feel ready to move again. Just going with the flow of wherever life leads you.
Here are some considerations and tips for survival for the modern day explorer or nomad.
1. Always stay connected to your base/roots in some way. Our history makes us who we are, and we all need familiar faces and places at times. Its also a sound idea, to always have a base that you know you can go back to if you need to.
2. You can try to find work at each place you go, and there are a wide range of jobs available around the world, such as Teaching English as a foreign language, or working as a divemaster or instructor to name just a couple (we'll revisit these jobs at a later date). Alternatively you could look towards developing your existing trade so that you can work completely on-line. That way you don't need to decide where you will be based, you can go wherever you like, and your job will but more importantly YOUR INCOME - will move with you. See my previous post "The Modern Day Nomad".
3. Seek out like minded people, and develop a supportive network of people who choose to live in the same way as you. It can be very lonely travelling all of the time, and whilst you will still be in touch with people back home, there will be a change in your relationship with them. You will need to know people that are growing in the same direction as you.
I hope you found the introduction to my own personal view of Escapee Type no.1 informative and useful. I'm sure we will look at it in more depth at later dates. Please do remember that this is simply a view developed from my own observations on life and is by no means set in stone... Your comments are welcome - lets "explore" the subject together...
Looking back through history, nomads and explorers have always existed. Entire populations have wandered and moved to new settlements, more suitable to their needs. Individuals have left for foreign shores and ventured out into the unknown in order to "discover".
Way back in time, immigration and emigration didn't take on the formal process that it does today. From what I can gather, people hopped on boats, or took to the road and endured dangerous (and in many cases fatal) journeys in order to reach a better land, or "the promised land".
Wandering, exploring, discovering - these are all characteristics that are deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Our need to reach out and connect with other nations and other countries is surely a driving force behind the invention of flying, and other modern technologies such as the Internet.
Now - the privilege of relatively low risk travel and international communication is available to the masses. No longer is exploring the world reserved for those that have the knowledge and inclination to gather a crew, hire a ship, and dare to enter lands or waters unknown.
Please excuse me for stating the obvious - of course we all know that already... But the point I am trying to make is that in some cases, for some people, the need and desire to travel has nothing to do with the state of any given country. Some people are simply just born to explore and perhaps will never "settle down" anywhere.
It is this group of people that I believe fall into "Escapee Type - No.1" Although the term "escapee" doesn't really fit. For these people (myself included), it really isn't about "escaping from" - it is about "running to" and "embracing" the rest of the World. Meeting new people, seeing different lands, learning about other cultures, and embracing the diversity, colourfulness and craziness of the World we live in.
In general people that fall into this group will often feel "unsettled" or "unable to commit" in what is regarded today as a "normal" life. The concept of living in one place for ever more, and entering into the modern concept of the nuclear family, will be if anything "unsettling" for them. Only content when they are discovering new things, places and meeting new people, these people are not necessarily suffering from intimacy issues, or some kind of mental health problem that prevents them from settling down(though this may be a possibility in some cases). They are simply "explorers" - and that's fine...
Now - if you feel connected to this description, it may not be the answer for you to simply uproot your life, and go to live somewhere else. You may enjoy the change initially. Excited by what you find, the new people, the different way of life etc etc. But after a while, your desire to move and travel will again come to the surface.
For this reason its probably a better idea to simple hit the road, and keep travelling, until you want to stop somewhere. Then stop, until you feel ready to move again. Just going with the flow of wherever life leads you.
Here are some considerations and tips for survival for the modern day explorer or nomad.
1. Always stay connected to your base/roots in some way. Our history makes us who we are, and we all need familiar faces and places at times. Its also a sound idea, to always have a base that you know you can go back to if you need to.
2. You can try to find work at each place you go, and there are a wide range of jobs available around the world, such as Teaching English as a foreign language, or working as a divemaster or instructor to name just a couple (we'll revisit these jobs at a later date). Alternatively you could look towards developing your existing trade so that you can work completely on-line. That way you don't need to decide where you will be based, you can go wherever you like, and your job will but more importantly YOUR INCOME - will move with you. See my previous post "The Modern Day Nomad".
3. Seek out like minded people, and develop a supportive network of people who choose to live in the same way as you. It can be very lonely travelling all of the time, and whilst you will still be in touch with people back home, there will be a change in your relationship with them. You will need to know people that are growing in the same direction as you.
I hope you found the introduction to my own personal view of Escapee Type no.1 informative and useful. I'm sure we will look at it in more depth at later dates. Please do remember that this is simply a view developed from my own observations on life and is by no means set in stone... Your comments are welcome - lets "explore" the subject together...
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Which type of Escapee Are You?
Before anyone can establish an effective escape route the very first step is to work out which “type” of escapee you are. Whilst I’m generally not a fan of stereotyping or labelling people, everyone will have their own reasons for wanting to Escape England to Live and Work Abroad (see top 10 reasons to leave England). The point is – unless you establish your reasons for wanting to live & work abroad, you’ll be taking a huge gamble with any escape route you attempt to carve out. You could easily end up in a country that suffers from some of the same ailments you had hoped to leave behind. For every potential escapee serious consideration is needed in terms of what it is you are actually hoping to gain by moving. As a starting point I have established the following groups of escapees. For each group the destination and the escape route may differ quite substantially. Please bear in mind however that the line between these types is very thin and it is highly possible and probable that you relate to more than one or all of the groups.
1. The Explorer, Student of Life, Nomad
2. Finding Yourself
3. Found Yourself – came back to England – and now you want OUT!
4. Global Activist
5. Sun seeker
6. Rejection of political climate, pace of life and materialism
7. Career choice/progression
8. Pursue hobby or passion
9. Seeking change/boredom
10. Fashion follower! It’s the “cool” thing to do isn’t it?
Over the coming posts I will explore all of these possible types of escapee, and together we can take a look at possible escape routes for each.
This list or grouping is by no means fixed, or set in stone – it is merely a list developed from my own observations of life. If you agree, disagree or indeed have anything you would like to add – please do… I’d love to hear from you!!!
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Why did you end up here?
Today I sat down with the intention of developing a concise and informative content plan for this new blog project of mine.
As far as my common sense and general knowledge could tell, in order for this blog or any other publication to be successful in building up a sound readership it needs to meet the expectations of the readers. I thought carefully about the visitors to this blog and came to the conclusion that to have ended up at this page you must fall into one, some or all of the following categories:
1. You want to Escape England to Live & Work Abroad
If this is you - great! You’re one of the people I most hoped would visit. The content of this blog is built entirely around helping people like you (and me), to make a sound and informed choice about whether to leave England to live and work abroad or not. Assuming that you make the decision to leave, I then hope to help you decide where to go, what to do, and how to make it happen.
2. You have already made The Great Escape from England, and you like to read about and connect with like minded people. You may also want to contribute in some way, sharing your experiences with people who are just starting out on a journey you have already made. You are welcomed with open arms. Myself and any readers will be eternally grateful if you feel inclined to share your experiences and opinions. You will be of great assistance to people trying to make a decision on whether to leave England to live and work abroad or not.
3. You’re not English, and you’re not looking to leave – but you are interested in the National psyche for one reason or another. It’s great that you have popped by. I’m sure you also have some invaluable contributions you can provide about your own country or what you think of England. How do The Top 10 Reasons to Leave England compare with reasons to leave other countries? Opinions such as these can contribute to an excellent study of what it is we are looking for in our ideal country, or whether indeed moving countries is a solution to anything at all. You may also help someone decide to visit or not to visit your own country.
4. You’re a blogger and you’re networking or just generally interested in looking at a range of different blogs. I hope you find something here to inspire you, and I welcome any comments you may have on the blog, my writing, the design etc etc… Let me know who you are so I can check out your site too..
5. You’re a friend or a member of my family and you’ve ended up here because I've pleaded with you to come and check out what I’ve been spending so much time on just lately. If this is you – Thank you for popping by. I hope you find something here of interest to you, and that you leave with a little more of an insight into what the heck I’m waffling on about when I talk about my plans for Escape England.
Do you fall into any of those groups?
Is there another reason you have ended up here?
Let us know your thoughts...
As far as my common sense and general knowledge could tell, in order for this blog or any other publication to be successful in building up a sound readership it needs to meet the expectations of the readers. I thought carefully about the visitors to this blog and came to the conclusion that to have ended up at this page you must fall into one, some or all of the following categories:
1. You want to Escape England to Live & Work Abroad
If this is you - great! You’re one of the people I most hoped would visit. The content of this blog is built entirely around helping people like you (and me), to make a sound and informed choice about whether to leave England to live and work abroad or not. Assuming that you make the decision to leave, I then hope to help you decide where to go, what to do, and how to make it happen.
2. You have already made The Great Escape from England, and you like to read about and connect with like minded people. You may also want to contribute in some way, sharing your experiences with people who are just starting out on a journey you have already made. You are welcomed with open arms. Myself and any readers will be eternally grateful if you feel inclined to share your experiences and opinions. You will be of great assistance to people trying to make a decision on whether to leave England to live and work abroad or not.
3. You’re not English, and you’re not looking to leave – but you are interested in the National psyche for one reason or another. It’s great that you have popped by. I’m sure you also have some invaluable contributions you can provide about your own country or what you think of England. How do The Top 10 Reasons to Leave England compare with reasons to leave other countries? Opinions such as these can contribute to an excellent study of what it is we are looking for in our ideal country, or whether indeed moving countries is a solution to anything at all. You may also help someone decide to visit or not to visit your own country.
4. You’re a blogger and you’re networking or just generally interested in looking at a range of different blogs. I hope you find something here to inspire you, and I welcome any comments you may have on the blog, my writing, the design etc etc… Let me know who you are so I can check out your site too..
5. You’re a friend or a member of my family and you’ve ended up here because I've pleaded with you to come and check out what I’ve been spending so much time on just lately. If this is you – Thank you for popping by. I hope you find something here of interest to you, and that you leave with a little more of an insight into what the heck I’m waffling on about when I talk about my plans for Escape England.
Do you fall into any of those groups?
Is there another reason you have ended up here?
Let us know your thoughts...
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