Living in Iceland//Reflections and Recommendations
So one year in Iceland came to an abrupt end in anticipation of the next chapter but lest we forget it. I feel like part of it was jaded by the some what dragging winter but let’s not underestimate our time spent in the land of fire and ice.
Hopes and fears
When I worked with young people we’d always ask to start of with ‘what are your hopes and fears?’, and EVS (European Voluntary Service) was similar in that we walked into this same question. As ever, these bits of paper were tucked up in a cupboard and didn’t set the light of day now could they have ever truly been able to predict how the year was to unfold. Nothing could. No amount of thinking time could have prepared me for what was to happen over the following year.
I will now try to do an inspired by Baz Lurman’s ‘Sunscreen song’ run down of the lessons learnt.
First, sieze the day. In winter it is cold and dark and summer is potentially going to be the same. Dress weather appropriate and get outside, or stay in and hibernate - just don’t waste precious energy on hating yourself for not making the most out of your day This is just a waste of more time and energy. Time is the most invaluable resource we have, we continuously spend it and the returns not always great but you can never buy it back.
People will grace you with their presence, they can be a lesson or a blessing, it may not be obvious at the time. Rejoice in those blessings and make way for the lessons. Those individuals that make quiet nights in all the more memorable, their the real blessing. Make time for the lessons, prioritise the blessings, they’re the real treasures.
Secondly, don’t try so hard. Now, Icelanders are notoriously difficult to integrate with. They have their families, the same group of friends they went to school with and just general don’t like making plans too far in advance, if at all. Don’t force it, go with the flow instead of stressing yourself out trying to chase. No need to fear looking needy, who cares what people think? You’re pretty sound, go and enjoy your own company, do the things that interest you, you might just end up meeting even more people into things you’re into.
DO NOT USE TINDER AS A TOOL TO MEET PEOPLE. Honestly, just go to the drink and draw night, that jazz night heck even try the lindy hop class on a week night. If you enjoy these things, you are more likely to meet people that also enjoy these things, at these places.
Look outside. Even in the depths of winter it is still possible to see the little changes from one season to the next, this will reassure you that summer is on its way. Each day it literally gets a little bit (darker and then) lighter. Noticing these changes in the seasons is like a nice reminder that this too shall pass, internally as externally.
Be the person you want to be. Don’t settle in spite, in revenge or bitterness. Invite love in. Don’t get stuck in a neggy mind set, try to climb yourself out of it by being kind to those parts of you. Nothing grows out of selfish sourness only bad taste left. Things grow out of love, only. Learn when to tap out, show yourself respect and always be kind.
Dare to dream and get creative. Most Icelanders will have more than one job, I guess in the winter they’ve learnt the importance of a hobby. Everyone is either in a band, an artist, a writer or does something in sport alongside the day job. I wanted to put on a drum and bass night which didn’t happen, but I did host a live acoustic gig in our living room at Barma and had the best send off for all the ‘Barma’ extended family. It was a little self indulgent with a slide show of pictures from the year but even the neighbour commented on just how lovely it sounded through their ceiling; some of the other neighbours gate crashed.
The following night it was ‘Culture Day’ which included fireworks and more live music downtown. Life isn’t a a film or even a music video but if it was I’d have to say ‘Heather Loweena the Movie’ would have won awards.
The closing scenes were every bit as magical as any Disney movie and it washed away that bad taste left behind from the ‘winter of doom’.
It doesn’t matter what my original hopes and fears were. I had some of the greatest experiences; my mind opened up to different ways of being and I met some pretty cool people (who brought both lessons and blessings). Even when I think back to the rough times, it all kind of levelled out in the end. After all life is about balance.
Now I’m currently parked up in my van in Italy, it’s 34 degrees and just like that - the Iceland season is just a memory, tick. Done. We can’t predict what life will bring us but one thing is for sure, if you open yourself up to it, it will grant you experiences. And if you give yourself time and space to reflect, you will grow.
Fulfil your potential. Dare to dream.
