Why simplicity is not a death threat.

I moved to a town of 55,000. There are three main streets. Demmers, Columbia and Washington. The downtown is 4 blocks by 4 blocks. 

I fucking love it. 

Here is why simplicity matters to me, and why it isn’t a death threat. 

With the modern times of social media, the internet, and global connection, towns like Grand Forks, ND are catching on. The cool thing? They are learning from others mistakes. They are ahead of the game because they aren’t going through the years of failed attempts big cities made. 

The yoga and wellness studio scene is growing. They are learning what works. Fast. 

The brewery scene is lovely. The arts thrive here. It’s small town living with big town experiences because they learned. 

I have my coffee shop, my brewery, my favorite restaurant, my gym, and yoga studio. All the amenities I would have had in Boston for a 1/3 of the price. 

Yes.  Living with 6 million people with a few more things at night has a few perks. 

But for me, simplicity of having all the things I need while saving money, I mean, what’s not to love? 

If your tired of the hustle in big cities all the time, want the things you love, and want to be able to enjoy it without sacrificing your sanity, maybe a smaller place is for you. There is absolutely nothing wrong it. Smaller towns have caught on, they’ve adapted, and will continue to do so.

so the next time you cringe at 100,000 people or less for a place, maybe check them out. You may be pleasantly surprised like myself. 

Living life simply has taught me a lot  it’s taught me to appreciate the moments I have with others   It has taught me not everyone gives a shit what you do for work. Many don’t care where you went to school. Many are happy to stop for ten minutes and check in with you and how you truly are doing  it’s taught me that if I want to experience big city living or traveling, I can. But I don’t have to. 

And I am damn fine with that. 

Happy small town living 

Lee

I don't know what to write.

I gotta be honest with you. Sometimes, I have no idea what to write. 

sometimes I feel like I am writing the same thing. Over and over and over and over again. Different words, different phrasing, but essentially the same thing: take care of your damn self. 

I know that may be blunt to say, but if I could boil down 6 years in this field into 6 words it would be that: Take Care of Your Damn Self. 

I say this also in a joking manner, because lets be honest with ourselves 

Conversations disappear for ourselves quickly. Good intentions may pave the way, but that fucker called life loves putting potholes in that road. 

And it's not your fault. Life happens. Life gets into the crevices of our skin, hair, breath, and mind, and there is nothing we can do about that. 

What we can do is give ourselves reminders. Some behavioral psychologists and marketers say it takes 7-12 touches in some countries for people to actually buy into an idea. 

To think we are above that statistic is somewhat foolish. 

so, If I need to write 2,000 different ways to help the message spread, I will gladly take that torch and run with it. 

Why? You succeeding in living a more full and rich life, a life with no apologies, and a life with risk-taking abound is worth me repeating it. over. and over. and over. 

Take Care of your damn SELF :) 

Lee

It’s not the size....

It’s how you use it. 

I’m not talking about what you think I am talking about. 

What I’m referring to is your community. Your social support group. 

I have gotten so many comments lately that are people being worried about. Me moving to a smaller town. They are concerned because I came from such big cities like Boston and London that I wouldn’t survive in a smaller town. 

I call bullshit. I traveled to aboutt 12 cities in 2016. What I gathered from that whole expereince is that a city is a city is a city. 

The quality of your relationships is what consitutes a quality life. 

See, I think of it like a golden labrador. It’s a beautiful dog, it wants to be everyone’s friend, and its always moving about. 

But the thing is, to get quality time with a rambunxious and constantly moving dog is hard. It’s constantly ready for the next shiny object. 

I’ve been there. I dont want to any more. 

I have come to love and appreicate quality friends. People I can call at 2 am when shit hits the fan. Friends who show up for me when panic attacks happen and they don’t care that I am too nice to say I want you there but I tell them “Don’t come, I’’ll be fine” 

Social support is the MOST underrated and underutilized tool in life. Quality realtionships not only affect your mood, but can boost immune system response and overall heart health. 

So, while I appreciate everyone’s concerns, please let me find my group. Realize I don’t need more in life. I want less but more quality. 

I hope you join me in it. 

Lee