The good life and what it means to me - the start of the journey

So – I’m finally starting this blog. I’m almost certain I’ll be the only person to read it. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the only other visitor will consist of my mother, whose constructive criticism may include a "well done" and a gold star (If she could just figure out how to give me one of those virtually).

So why exactly write a blog? Good question, me. More than anything, I guess like everyone else it’s a good outlet for life, but it's more than that. It’s a way to put down in writing what I feel I now struggle with on a day to day basis.

What is that?? Answer: The good life.  The TV classic ‘The Good Life’  (judgmental urban neighbours looks like more fun on TV) has spawned a number of doco-style cooking/reality farming shows, but how exactly do I apply that to me?

Let’s just go with the basics.
Me = PhD Student, somewhat (I lie, etsy is my weakness) materialistic, tiny rented apartment, one very patient (saintly) and environmentally conscious partner.
Every TV show =  those who own their own homes, are of retiring age with grown children etc.
If you are in any of these categories – Great!!! And more power to you. Rumour has it I'm actually pretty jealous.

But what about the rest of us? How can we make the transition if we are struggling to pay rent, let alone buy a house (in an already inflated housing market) and set up our own patch of heaven? Not that I’m complaining… (well, maybe a little). But when it comes down to it, the world isn’t going to change if the only people who can afford to do it are the well-off or those who are at a point where it is financially viable (which  is a whole other point I am sure I will complain about at some point). I don’t want to wait til I am 40 to be trying to live a ‘good life.’ So as people just starting our lives as independent adults – where to do we even begin?

And more importantly, what exactly is the good life? To be honest, I really have no idea. It’s a pretty abstract kind of phrase but when it comes down to it, it is just that – abstract. And relative. I guess its whatever you want it to be.

Right now for me, its about doing my best to change the way I think. To grow our own vegetables, to buy from local markets, to ride more, to shop less and to be a better person to those around us.

Like most other people, I have been brought up to believe that a successful career is an important measure of your value in this world. It occurs to me more and more as I try to grow as a person that this no longer matters.

So what exactly do I plan to do about it I hear you/me ask? Well, I plan to change. I know it won’t be easy. It won’t happen quickly. I’m sure I’ll fall back to old ways. I’m sure I’ll be a massive hypocrite most of the time. I’m sure I won’t do everything I can. But I plan to try.