This morning, I went swimming with my dog. I simply put on my swimwear, pulled on shorts, grabbed a towel and left the house. You see, I live right beside the sea, there is no need for anything more than what I wear; because, no matter how long I swim, I can be home in a dash. Oh! I forgot my swimming goggles, I guess I will have to just do without!
When I arrived, there was not a human in sight, and it instantly became a private beach. My dog, named Look Look (meaning to ‘roll around’ in Cantonese), happily rushed onto the sand while biting on her favourite tennis ball. I took my time walking down the stairs and taking off my shorts, and as I passed by Look Look, I threw the ball into the water, and off we swam!
This kind of morning is a common summer vibe, which happens at least twice a month during the sunny seasons.
There is always that envious voice saying: “Wow, your life sounds chill,” and the voice inside my head always wants to reply: “So can yours be.” First, you must change the way you think—your income source, your views on how others see you, social values and your idea of money.
We are born to be in groups. We have our families, relatives, friends and schoolmates, and then workmates, society, culture and nationalities, and we are human. Most people would introduce themselves by including some of the words from the list above. It is rare for someone to introduce themselves as ‘a human.’
But when you tell people who you are, have you ever taken the time to ask yourself the same question?
Who am I?
When I moved onto an outlying island away from urban city life, where I am living on my own, friends usually ask two questions: 1. “Why move out to live on your own?” and 2. “Why choose the island of Peng Chau?”
Moving out was not because I don’t have enough physical space while living with my parents. It is the space in my heart that needs expansion. I had also lost my motivation in life; I need to get it back. I wanted to grow, not just into a human that can take care of my everyday life, but I wanted to reflect on my identity issues while heading for middle age.
Who I am is not just to establish my identity as an artist; during the last half a year, I have realized that this is the easiest of all issues. Hong Kong is a place that has little understanding of art (I say this as a statement, not a derogation), and I can easily call myself an artist without questions being asked. What I must deal with are the questions I ask myself.
Does persisting mean to say “no” to jobs I dislike? If I say “yes,” does it mean I am walking the same old path? If I say “no,” how would my income look? When I am free, does it mean I have to look for things to do? If I don’t, does it mean I am lazy? Or I will have no income?
You see, nine out of 10 of my questions are about money. This is a lifelong affair I have to work on.
I have been reading a book called I Am So Not a Loser. It is about a guy in his twenties living in the suburban areas of Tokyo, Japan. He reflects on how he works for two days and relaxes for five days a week. There is some very useful information, and also some sharing about how he sees this lifestyle. It makes me refigure my life, too.
He says that he spends, on average, US$2.70 per day on his three meals. I roughly spend the same on meals as well. The difference is that I started trying out the 16-to-8 fasting method in winter. Although I don’t follow the ratio strictly now, I rarely eat breakfast, unless I am out with friends.
Like the author, I eat a lot of vegetables, therefore money spent is much less, when compared to those whose diet includes meat. The ability to cook for myself is a process of experiments and advancements. I am proud that I can make my meals delicious and different as well.
Time versus money
The author also mentions having hobbies that don’t require money, such as walking, spending time in nature or reading. This, for me, answers the second question: “Why choose the island of Peng Chau?”
Peng Chau is very much like the villages I grew up in, but more convenient with shops and restaurants within walking distance. There are no cars on the island, hence the quiet streets and roads. And it is affordable, so I can have a decent living space.
Some ask why I don’t rent a place with my brother, as he also lives on the island. Those with siblings will understand that if you have a chance to leave them behind, I think you would take that chance. I think most would not be satisfied with just having their own room, but would wish for the whole apartment!
I am wanting to make changes in my life. I am not going back to living with family members, I want my own world. To those saying that I could make it easier with less rent to pay, my response is that you should be confident enough to at least be able to pay your own rent!
The island of Peng Chau is also a place with no nightlife. Everything slowly falls into stillness after six in the evening. Simple mountain walks are a distinct feature of the island, which Look Look and I enjoy every winter morning. In the summer, we can swim in the ocean whenever we want. The sunset is beautiful. During rainy days, I sit on my balcony and watch the rain fall. I learned to enjoy the rainy seasons as well! Every one of these activities are free and extremely soothing.
In the book mentioned earlier, the author describes that he doesn’t have much money, but time … he has more than enough. This is such an inspiration! Not a lot of money, but a lot of time to spare. Why waste it on worrying about money?
We usually connect abundance with money, but if time is money, then I am very rich. While reading about the law of attraction, it mentions that if you put your attention on what you don’t have, you won’t be able to attract abundance. If your attention is on what you have missed, then even if opportunities of abundance arrive, you won’t be able to acknowledge them.
This is why I started another row in my gratitude diary to include recordings of my abundance in life. I hope to bring gratitude and abundance into my dreams and build a life of prosperity.
Awakening as a new way of life
I would say a chill life is to accept what is in front of you, and accept the fact that you have to face yourself in the silent times. It is also to accept change, which is not always unicorns and rainbows.
This kind of chill life also requires you to do homework. I not only write in my diary, I also use a lot of tools to smoothen out emotions and face challenges. Within these exercises, I have dealt with a lot of unhappy drifts and turns.
One step at a time, I hope to create a life that only concerns the moment of Now. Some describe this as ‘awakening.’ I have to say, I am more awake than I use to be, and it feels very prosperous.
"СВЯЗАННОЕ ЧТЕНИЕ" LIVE A SLOW LIFE: It’s OK to slow down in a fast-paced world»
image 1. User:Geographer, CC BY-SA 4.0 2. all other photos by Vera Chiu
