Debt

Thank you for the interesting - and congratulatory - comments about yesterday's Blip. I encourage anybody who feels the urge to give up conventional work to figure out how to do it. And then hand in your resignation.

In my experience the single factor which allowed me to walk away with equanimity about my future was the fact that I was in a position to pay off all my debts, and would never need to be in debt again. Of course, as several of you attest, if you have a supportive partner, a debt burden is less of a concern. But because I lived - and live - on my own this one factor removed the biggest layer of anxiety from my decision-making.

It hasn't escaped my notice that my ability to be debt-free and to continue life with no income when I initially stopped working, was thanks to years of being an integral part of the capitalist system which I abhor. I am in the privileged position to have been able to make my self-reliance plans a reality on the back of an inheritance, and a private investment / pension fund which made gains as world stock markets soared over my working lifetime. 

So the basis for my dream lifestyle, shunning modern capitalism, is a product of that very system... It is an hypocrisy which I acknowledge and it doesn't sit easily on my shoulders. Maybe one day I will feel I have somehow paid the debt I owe to my conscience. 

In the meantime, it has been a day of kitchen and garden.

Sourdough mixed and proved. Crackers baked. Mayo made.

A walk followed by lunch on the deck.

Then more weeding. And down to my t-shirt in the sunshine.

Bean of course has been supervising: initially from under her blankets on Pink; latterly from her various sunny beds on the decks.

And none of this has anything to do with the glorious crabapples still hanging on to tree.