Living in Iceland//

Reflections & Recommendations

So one year in Iceland came to an abrupt end as I anticipate the next chapter that awaits but let’s have a recap and take stock before heading off. I feel like part of it was jaded by the some what dragging winter but thats all part of our year spent in the land of fire and ice.

Hopes and fears

When I worked with young people we’d always start a new cohort asking ‘what are your hopes and fears?’. And as EVS (European Voluntary Service) was a youth programme, I was asked this same question. These pieces of paper I wrote my answers on have been tucked up in a cupboard and haven’t seen the light of day since. How could I have ever been able to predict how the year would 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 run down of the lessons learnt in the style of Baz Lurman’s ‘The Sunscreen Song’

First of - seize 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, each can act as guides towards living a more aligned life. Those individuals that make quiet nights in all the more memorable, they’re the true blessing. Prioritise the blessings, they’re treasures.

Secondly, don’t try so hard. 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 are all sorts of wonderful, go and enjoy your own company, do the things that interest you. That’s usually where you end up meeting 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 we even try the weeknight Lindy Hop class. If you enjoy these things, you are more likely to meet people that also enjoy these things, at these places. How do you know what you like if you never try stepping out of that comfort zone from time to time.

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 eventually 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 it just leaves a bad taste left. Things grow out of love, only. Learn when to tap out, when to take a break, how to show yourself respect and always be kind to YOU. You’ve got YOU for company for the rest of your life, how can you be nicer to SELF?

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 of the ‘Barma’ extended family. It was a little self indulgent with a slide show of my pictures from the year but even the neighbour commented on just how lovely it sounded through the wall; some of the other neighbours even gate crashed.

The following night it was ‘Culture Day’ which included fireworks and more live music downtown. Life isn’t a film or even a music video but if it was I’d have to say ‘Heather Loweena the Movie’ should win an award.

The closing scenes were every bit as magical as any Disney movie which washed away that bad taste left over 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 will always be alright in the end - if it’s not alight, it’s not the end.

-

Now I’m currently parked up in my van, Edie a VW LT35, in Italy. it’s 34 degrees and just like that, the Iceland season has become 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.