In April 2021, I sold my flat in my home city of Lancaster in the North West of England and moved to a small house in a tiny hamlet on the far western edge of the English Lake District. I was longing for a simpler life, closer to the Earth and her seasonal rhythms.
I had finally come full circle. I grew up with my dad growing vegetables and my mum’s hand-sewn clothes and home cooked meals. I then spent my entire early adulthood getting as far away as possible from it all.
I ended up in London, working 9-5pm in office jobs that satisfied my bank balance but not my spirit. I quickly realised I couldn’t survive in that environment and quit my job in 2012 to embark on what would turn out to be a long and winding journey of self-discovery.
Highly sensitive and with a feeling like I never quite fit in, I was driven by the big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose?
My thirst for answers and a longing to find my place in the world led me to volunteering on organic farms, training in acting and Reiki, starting a blog and delving deep into spirituality.
Little by little and year after year, my journey and questions led me back to the beginning. Back to my roots in the North West of England. Back to vegetables and hills and home cooked food. Back to all the things I’d wanted to escape as a young adult.
Along the way, I found answers to my biggest questions. I learned that Love is who I am, that Love is my purpose, and that Love is the answer to everything. I also discovered an unwavering passion for writing and creative self-expression.
I long to live in a world where we know how to love ourselves, one another, and the Earth. A world where simplicity, slow living and silence are valued. A world where we can each offer our unique gifts in service of the whole. A world where we are once again deeply connected to our true selves and our true place in the web of life.
And that is the dream I came here with. A dream to live simply and slowly. A dream of growing real food and feeling connected to the land. A dream of turning this somewhat neglected house into a home filled with love. And a dream of making a positive difference in the world through my writing and creativity – my greatest joy.
On my blog, YouTube Channel and social media, I share my stories, poems and songs as well as the unfolding journey of our lives here in the western Lake District.
With all my heart I hope you’ll find something here to offer comfort, peace, hope, inspiration and encouragement as we travel together on this mysterious journey called life.
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Love and courage, Leah.