Cottage in the Sky is an exposé of beliefs and choices that unwittingly indenture us into stressful workforce slavery that leaves no time for writing.
Done with that? Yes?
Enjoy evergreen articles about extricating yourself from consumerism and architecting a life of happiness with the freedom to create — on both broad and micro-focused levels.
What does that even mean?
- Stop buying “stupid shit you never needed”
- How to do it for less
- Alternative considerations
- Weird ways to make/save money
To relay this blog in terms of book comps: Ultra-processed People x Enshittification x a simpler Martha minus the silliness.
‘Cause I’m really, really, really good at saving ridiculous amounts of money so I can write — all while living in style.
So, if like me, you:
- Have a terrific yearning to create because it nourishes your soul;
- Believe that health, happiness, and loving relationships are most important;
- Find experiences more worthy than the collection of stuff;
- Have zero interest in pursuing the dollar beyond what you need to live;
- Yet are anxious at everything getting more and more expensive, draining your bank account while billionaires become trillionaires;
- Are terrified about the state of climate change and our environment;
- Have the courage to flout the status quo, analyze consumerist brainwashing, and make better and often unusual choices.
You’ve come to the right place.
Rousseau, an ardent advocate of the state of nature, maintained, “Man was born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
It’s About Freedom!
- Freedom from clutter,
- Freedom from chores,
- Freedom from the 9-5,
- Freedom from the commute,
- Freedom from the consumerist lifestyle
- The freedom to create happiness, whatever that means for you.
Time, health, and our environment are the real currencies, not money. This means making decisions based on frugality, health, and the environment. If you make the choice for one, the other two often follow. It’s amazing how often these three go hand-in-hand.
Thrifty
Most folks focus on making money. But the alternate, saving money, is equally as powerful. Buying stuff we don’t need requires space and both require longer hours of work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my career, but I also love to write. Architecting a desirable lifestyle usually means working less, which requires buying less, and living in a smaller space.
Healthy
I’m a healthcare professional by education and career. Our bodies are envelopes tethering us to the Earth. Unhealthy habits eventually morph into a restricted lifestyle. Whereas a healthy body means freedom, happiness, and a sharper mind.
Environmental
I’m an environmentalist. Nature is a huge inspiration in my writing and I’m passionate about taking care of our environment. Without it, we have nothing.
Sylvia Lorianne Leong is a nutritionist, therapeutic personal trainer, and former healthcare professional whose independent nature renders her unemployable (self employment only!). She actively flouts societal norms in favour of impartiality, healthful choices, and living in harmony with the environment.
Sylvia’s writing successes include seven published short stories and third prize in NSWA’s 2023 writing competition. When she’s not in the rainforest searching for fairies, you’ll find her snuggled in bed writing a ménage à trois of romantic, historical, and contemporary fantasy. Or more probable because she never answers her door, at slleong.com.
THRIFTY ♥ ENVIRONMENTAL ♥ HEALTHY