The Year is Over

It's hard to believe it's over a year already since I started My Year of Agile Living.

This whole time I've been living in Sydney, spending the weekend at Cosy Grove roughly once a fortnight to catch up with the kids. Dave has been living roughly half the time with me in Sydney and half the time with the kids in Canberra.

Me at Sculptures by the Sea

You'd think being separated for half the year would put some strain on our marriage, but it has actually been a renewal. The time we have had together in Sydney has felt like a honeymoon, just the two of us in the apartment, exploring Sydney's attractions and events.

The ThoughtWorks social club has been a terrific way to see Sydney, with outings to Cirque du Soleil and the Sydney Biennale on Cockatoo Island being amongst the most memorable.

I'll admit the year hasn't gone entirely according to plan. I haven't been able to cultivate the zen-like detachment from belongings and living space that I had hoped to. During the year I have accumulated far more than the original single suitcase and backpack worth of stuff in Sydney. But at least it's less than a truck-worth.

And I became so attached to the apartment in Wollstonecraft that I am still there after seven months. But I have tried four other dwellings.

I had to return to Canberra for a month to support my family during some difficult times, but I'm back in Sydney now and I'm loving it. I'd find it hard now to live anywhere else; though that won't stop me from giving it a try if adventure beckons.

Working for ThoughtWorks has been everything I hoped for and more. The people have been wonderful; so supportive and caring, and so very smart it's scary. I have learnt an amazing amount this year in this extraordinary company, put in a great deal of hard work, and had a huge amount of fun. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

So what are my plans for the future? I'll definitely continue working for ThoughtWorks as long as I can. Our son is planning to move out of home next year, and our daughter may too. When that time comes we may have to change what we're doing, but until then we'll carry on as we are now.

If you want to continue the journey with me, visit my new blog, MAC's Musings.