Living a luxurious life – on a small budget
After moving with my husband to the Dominican Republic at the end of 2015 I went through several stages in my experience. First separation from my family; lack of finances; a new environment, language barrier. It was a challenge and we only moved to the DR on a trial basis.
My husband was born in the DR and I come from Austria. We spent the last 30 some years in Miami.
We lived for almost 4 years here in Santiago and are traveling to Miami to visit our family as much as our finances allow.
I have taken a lot of time to take mental inventory – getting rid of a lot of junk – mentally and physically. Letting go of the past – only keep what is useful and beautiful. I enjoy being able to take time for even the smallest things and enjoy them. THAT IS LUXURY. When you consider that for the last 30 years raising a family and helping to build a business – I literally tried to be in several places at the same time (I succeeded doing that at least mentally) to keep up with all the demands. I enjoyed very little because I felt guilty about not being able to do one thing or another although I did not realize it then.
If I could do it all over again – I would make some changes. Then when I was in the middle of it I could not see any choice – but now looking at my life from a distance I know I could have made some different choices. I would take the time even if I had to steal it – to be alone and THINK and recharge emotionally.
I used to do that when I was younger and single! It made all the difference and I was able to accomplish my goals and NOT be stressed. But then after I started a family I forgot about that and I would have felt GUILTY anyway.
BUT NOW I have time – I pay attention to how I think, feel; how I relate to others; pay attention to my attitude; each day is a gift – I am finally living – being alive not just existing.
Each day and each moment I make a choice – do I focus on all the things I don’t have, was not able to experience or do. Can I accept and welcome all the changes that are taking place, learn from them?
I am amazed about how exciting and joyful life can be if we make the right choices even the small ones AND most of all BE GRATEFUL for what is – everything even painful moments.
SO one day I was walking to the market and enjoyed the sunshine and everything around me and it hit me – what a great life I am living!
If you want to share your experience or have some questions, feel free to shoot me an email.
Maria De La Rosa
mdela72754@gmail.com