Notes on a road trip in search of sustainable community
I am fascinated by exploring what a different way of living in mid to later life looks like. Much of my interest is anchored in the research that I did for the book I co-authored (www.fromworklifetonewlife.com) about living your best, most fulfilling encore (the stage from midlife onwards). While I still love much of my life in London, I recognise there is a growing awareness and need forming inside of me for a life more closely aligned to nature, more sustainable and more anchored in community. What if I could find all these three elements together? And where?
Back in January, when the nights were long and the weather cold and wet, a plan was hatched with a friend who has a similar hankering, to go on a road trip of exploration.
After much research (mostly by my friend), Scotland was our preferred location and specifically the Western Coast of Scotland. So, with loose plans made for seven days of adventure, we set out on a sunny summer day to drive the fourteen hours north from London, stopping in the Scottish highlands for our first night, before making it to our first destination of a sustainable community on the Scottish mainland, where looking out from our lodgings we could see the Isle of Mull in all its glory.
What we found intrigued us. A small community aware and alive to the choices they make and the impact these choices may have on each other, the community, well-being and the environment – not always easy to align all of these.
What amazed us was how many individuals from outside the native, local population had come to live in the community to be part of a different experiment and approach to living. A truly international community looking to support each other to make better choices and live in an economically, environmentally, inter-generational, community-based, sustainable way.
When we proceeded to our next stop – we had a very different experience. The eco-community based experience we were enticed by clearly did not materialise. It put into stark contrast espoused vs lived values! You scratched the surface and it was definitely style over substance.
So, what are my thoughts now, on our adventure and experiences? I am still really keen to pursue a sustainable, community-based way of living in an intergenerational setting but struggle to see how this is possible within a city setting. For me, it is as much about the wonderful natural surroundings that sets the tone and gives energy to this vision! Lots of food for thought – but no real decisions as many questions remain. Where, when, and with whom are just a few of them, but I have faith that with time and reflection – the next steps will emerge.
#coaching #businesscoaching #midlife #transitions #midcareer #fromworklifetonewlife
A bit more about the author –
Rebecca Hill, founder at Wise Sherpa, is an experienced respected, trusted, sought after and award winning coach, consultant, facilitator and mentor.
Her passion is working with purpose led and impact focused leaders, professionals and organisations (including start ups and scale ups) in London and internationally in a thoughtful, collaborative and considered way guiding them to successfully realise their aspirations and achieve their goals. Rebecca’s approach is highly personalised and tailored to the needs of each client which is why clients report strong outcomes and she is considered one of the best leadership coaches and consultants.
Rebecca is also an author and speaker. She speaks on a range of issues including mid-life to later life transitions into fulfilling encores, navigating major life stages from a career perspective and women’s economic empowerment to name a few.
She holds an MSc in Coaching and Consulting from HEC Paris (in association with Said Business School, University of Oxford), as well as being a Chartered Marketer and qualified coach. She has lived and worked in several countries including France, US and Switzerland and speaks several languages. In her spare time, she also sits on a number of boards and committees.
