The sun had disappeared, and the weather had gone back to being rainy, dull, and gloomy, which kept me indoors and interrupted my garden activities.
So, this morning, when I woke up to luminous glimpses of sunshine, I smiled brightly and went for a 10-minute stroll to Lidl bakery for some fresh pastries.
Chilling in the secluded garden, admiring the plants and colourful flowers, a myriad of soulful thoughts consumed me.
Although I'm pretty good at keeping myself entertained, reflections on the last few days highlighted a deflated feeling caused by boredom, coupled with loneliness, that had crept in.
These emotions left me making comparisons between being alone on my narrowboat surrounded by nature and being alone in my mother-in-law's house with a beautiful garden.
What I found is that it's a bit like black-and-white photography versus colour photography— they are both appealing with strong elements that ignite different sparks in us.
Comparing daily life on my narrowboat and living in a bungalow, there have been more entrances and exits to secure a sense of safety, something that's important to me. Also, the change of scenery on the narrowboat and the freedom of not necessarily having to maintain the surrounding nature myself are appealing.
However, what has stood out the most for me about living solo, is that at the house, there are far more empty walls to look at, which makes me feel like something is amiss. The small, compact space of my narrowboat feels like a hug, which diminishes any feelings of emptiness.
These emotions and feelings reinforced the need to build bonds with the special people in our lives, despite any highs and lows that come with sharing our lives with others.
It's imperative to work for togetherness, respect, tolerance, understanding, and an appreciation for those we share our lives with to avoid regrets during a loss.
Couples can drift away and lose sight of each other easily. This happens frequently, whether there are kids involved or not, due to differences in personalities and interests. However, taking moments to reflect, as I've done today, makes me realise that the similarities and differences between people complement and add spice to relationships.
Just like the beautiful flowers and greenery in this lovely garden, all things need to be nurtured to flourish and thrive.
I have another week here, but I'm looking forward to returning to my narrowboat, and most of all to spending quality time with my significant other.
These flowers in full bloom added colour to my day, and I enjoyed capturing these photos while exploring some deep thoughts.
How has your day been, and have you done anything special with your loved ones recently?
My blog frequently features my minimalist lifestyle and adventures while living on my narrowboat.”
Irie love,
Milly
