Why I’m Returning To Manual Labour

A few months ago, I decided to reduce my working hours to focus on other types of employment.

I’ve always benefitted from the security of a monthly pay cheque, which I don’t mind because it gives me stability, but I’m slowly feeling the tide of idle, risk-avoiding comfort approaching, and I don’t like it!

The human body was designed to walk, run or stop; it wasn’t built for coasting.

 – Cullen Hightower

I fancy living like Lovejoy, the Ian McShane character (apologies to the younger reader, I don’t expect you to know what I’m talking about), testing my wits to see if I can survive, but on the other hand, I don’t want to fall into the abyss of impoverished living!

As such, I have decided to go in search of a happy medium – something that gives me enough stability to feed my family but also gives me plenty of variety and challenge.

I currently work two days on the gym floor doing regular gym stuff, personal training sessions and classes.

I work on MHV with Shaun.

And now I have just started my own cleaning and maintenance business.

For a couple of reasons:

Firstly, there is a gap in the market for doing small odd jobs in my area because most contractors or tradesman just don’t want them.

Secondly, although I’m not going to rival Richard Branson any time soon, I love the variety of work. It keeps me interested and challenged, and I am a lot more active now, both mentally and physically.

It also quenches my reminiscent thirst of the best (and lowest paid) job I’ve ever had, working on a farm.

Ahhh, those were the days!

What many people don’t realise is that gyms are a relatively new thing.

Even when I was growing up, they were few and far between. You may have stumbled across the odd back street bodybuilding gym but other than that, you just didn’t see them.

Now, the development of office jobs has allowed wise businessmen to sell subscriptions to purposely-built labour camps.

Yes, you are paying to do physical labour!

I’m not condemning gyms, they’re a big part of my life, and if you find a good one, with a good community and good instructors, it becomes so much more than just physical labour.

You develop relationships, get taught how to move better, feel better and perform better but, for me, at this moment, I need something more satiating for my mind, body and soul.

I need to move within nature, breathe fresh air and feel the outdoors.

Tomorrow I will be digging a ditch. That will take me all day.

Most people will turn their nose up at this, but not me!

I will embrace it and enjoy it!

I will be my own boss for the day, I will be outside talking to all sorts of people and I will actually receive money for my physical labour!

Mind, body, spirit, finances – tick, tick, tick, tick!

Who needs a gym?

The variety and challenge of my work is giving me a newfound energy, and I’m loving the improvements I’m feeling in my mind, body and soul.

You know that feeling in your gut that tells you you need a change? Well, that’s what I’m feeling, so I’m just flowing with it!

Casey Neistat explained exactly how I feel in his goodbye to the vlogging world…

I don’t feel like I need to let go of things to start something new, but I’ve definitely reached a meander in my life’s stream.

To continue to develop along my natural path and progress as a human, I need something fresh!

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Until the next time, go with the flow and don’t push the stream!

Gareth.