We previously explored how living with rhythm and not rigid rules can help create a life with more flow and less overwhelm. We shared a Weekly Rhythm Template, but a thoughtful question came up:
“What if you’re in full-time work and your weeks are mostly fixed?”
That sparked something bigger: perhaps what’s also needed is a Monthly Rhythm Template. A tool that helps zoom out, notice what’s needed, and bring intentionality to a longer stretch of time.
(more…)When I shared the Weekly Rhythm Template, it sparked some great conversations including one thoughtful comment left on the blog last week:
“love this take on being intentional, wonder how those of us still in the working world could use this weekly rhythm too! Maybe it’s more like a monthly rhythm?”
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When we started dreaming about a slower, more intentional life, the vision was clear: simplicity, space, nature, and time to live with purpose. But turning that dream into reality? That’s where things got… unconventional.
We quickly realised that many of our Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) weren’t just about mindset, they required a shift in where and how we lived. And that meant making some big, counterintuitive decisions.
When Conventional Wisdom Doesn’t Fit the Vision
Conventional retirement advice says:
But we found ourselves longing for things that didn’t fit that model:
The trouble was… buying a place with all of that was well out of reach.
A Radical (and Rational) Shift
So we flipped the script.
We sold our house. And moved into a rental.
On paper, that might seem backwards. But in practice, it gave us:
Most importantly, it allowed us to live in alignment with our values, not just the market.
When Values Drive the Strategy
Every BHAG looks great on paper but real life needs fuel.
Sometimes that fuel is money. Sometimes it’s courage. Often, it’s both.
Selling our home wasn’t about giving something up. It was about releasing what we no longer needed to make space for what we deeply wanted.
Yes, some people raised eyebrows. But that’s okay. Not everyone has to understand your priorities, the important thing is that you do.
Final Thought
If you’re dreaming of a different kind of life but feel stuck, maybe the question to ask isn’t “what should I do?” but: “What would I do if I stopped needing to follow the script?”
You don’t have to be reckless. But you can be brave.
Sometimes the best next step looks strange from the outside. But on the inside? It feels like freedom.
We found the place that ticked all our boxes: rural, peaceful, close to church, space for veggies, and nature on the doorstep. We moved from the city into our new home in January. Yes there’s still work to do, but for the first time in a long time, we know we’re exactly where we need to be.
We’ve chosen a life we can build around what truly matters. And that, to us, is worth everything.
One of the first things I noticed when I stepped into retirement was just how easy it is for time to drift. Without the structure of meetings, deadlines, and commutes, the days can quietly blur together. At first, that felt like freedom but I quickly realised that if I wasn’t intentional, the freedom could turn into aimlessness.
That’s why I created a simple Weekly Rhythm Template.
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After a few months of pondering I finally decided to start documenting this journey into retirement. The blog isn’t just a hobby it’s my anchor. A way to stay on track, avoid drifting into the tempting world of procrastination, and share both the highlights and the hiccups with anyone walking a similar path.
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As mentioned previously stepping into retirement hasn’t been about slowing down to stop, it’s been about slowing down to start living differently. After years of constant movement, I wanted something deeper, more intentional, and more present.
One of my big goals (BHAGs) has been to embrace Slow Living. But to make it more than an idea, I’ve used the V2MOM framework as a tool to help turn vision into action.
There are lots of books out there that talk about living with purpose, but sometimes it’s hard to name what your individual purpose actually is. Before setting goals or making big life changes, it helps to pause and ask: What really matters to me?
It’s a surprisingly tough question — especially in a world that’s always rushing us toward the next thing. But if we want to live intentionally, especially in retirement or during a life reset, we need to slow down and get clear on what drives us at a deeper level.
That’s where the Personal Values Discovery Worksheet comes in.
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For a while now, I’ve been trying to define what matters most in this new chapter of life. After burnout, career shifts, and a slow walk back to health, I’ve realised my biggest goals no longer involve achievement in the traditional sense. These days, one of the boldest visions I can imagine is to be simpler and quieter: to create a sanctuary in nature.
Not a retreat from life, but a return to it.
I don’t just want a rural home I want a place that brings life. A home surrounded by nature, where the pace is gentler and the rhythms deeper. A place that’s calm, beautiful, and decluttered, where we can grow a few vegetables, listen to the soothing sounds of nature, and share a pot of coffee with a friends and neighbours. A place that helps us and others breathe again.
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In this new season of life, I’ve found myself drawn to something deeper than just a to-do list. Retirement, for me, is no longer about filling time it’s about living with intention. That’s why I’ve started shaping some BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) into bold, personal visions for what a meaningful, well-lived life could look like.
But naming a BHAG is just the start. The real challenge? Turning that dream into action.
That’s where the V2MOM framework comes in.
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I’ve spent more paper—and more time—than I care to admit trying to figure out my personal BHAGs. You know, those Big Hairy Audacious Goals that are meant to push you out of your comfort zone and into some grand future.
But the more I wrestled with it, the more I realized this chapter of life isn’t about doing more. It’s about being more. Not in a passive or shrinking way but in a deeper, more present, more meaningful way.
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Great2Live 