Lisa's Slow Living Life Makeover Begins In Holland, Michigan

Welkom! Jumping Off the Planet and a New Landing Pad

Welkom to Holland, Michigan, USA! We (Lisa and husband Coley) have finally landed in our new place after making a swift decision to change our lives. This choice took us from a 3-acre peaceful country home centered deeply in distressed eastern Michigan to a downtown loft in a mid-sized coastal community on the west coast of the state. A distance of 162 miles seems a lifetime away after less than a month of settling into our new digs.

We can now boast of living in the second happiest city in America, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-being Index poll released last February. Considering Michigan being one of the most economically embattled states with double digit unemployment levels, this may seem like an anomaly in the ranking of metropolitan areas throughout the US.

So what makes us happy and why did we challenge ourselves with this move?

Happy, young couple at the beach.

Big RedThe Happiness Factors

The composite area of Holland-Grand Haven, MI ranked 1^st in both physical health and basic access needs and 3^rd in emotional health which includes measuring residents answers to questions regarding chronic disease and pain, energy levels, sick days, access to basic needs such as food, medications and feelings of community safety to daily satisfaction in life in areas of laughter, happiness, stress, anger and worry.

Ranking 31st in work experience which measure job satisfaction is not a surprise, although a lower 50^th ranking in healthy behaviors such as smoking, exercise and eating fruits and vegetables is a surprise.

Crane Orchard, Fennville, MI - Photo by Al LaShell

Thriving farms and orchards in the area means abundant local farmer’s markets and local products in grocery stores with a high percentage of organic producers in the area as well. In season fruits, vegetables and even organic dairy is more affordable than other areas, at least in the harvest seasons. The majority of our favorite food discoveries have been off the beaten path restaurants that serve local and cooked from scratch menus.

Also a parks system second to none would seem to encourage and inspire exercise – it does for us at least. I admit that lake effect snows and a long winter season may dampen the spirit of the weather wimp in me. It will be sheer will to get out and stay out although the main street area and sidewalks are designed with a ‘snow melt’ system that uses miles of tubing under the pavement to course waste heat into condensed water from a nearby power plant melting the freezing elements safely. A very cool, green initiative by the Board of Public Works! Living a block from the downtown area I expect to learn to love the cold weather without having to tromp through slush and snow.

Decisions, Reality and Sealing the Deal

Happiness is why Coley and I decided to make this move. My husband has survived an aortic aneurysm, a complicated life-saving surgery for abdominal aneurysm repair and four strokes. I am a survivor of rape and domestic abuse. We were both reverberating from unhealthy marriages and unsuccessful dating relationships when we met.

Experiencing each other as intelligent communicators, successful parents and sensual beings, our low expectations of finding someone to spend the rest of life with very quickly turned into feelings of endless possibilities – together we could heal ourselves and our world around us. Neither of us was looking for someone to fix the other and we founded our partnership with a strong basis of support and acceptance of who we are, where we had been and a deep desire to share a path of new beginnings together. Our first chosen life in the country gave us time to breath, a new perspective and time to heal.

We had originally planned to make our move between a year to three years from now. Thinking ahead to retirement we had grand ideas of moving south, anywhere from Asheville, NC, to Sedona, AZ. Coming back to reality with the realization that we really didn’t want to be so far from our combined 7 children and 4 grandchildren. Parents and siblings were also a consideration. At this writing all but my oldest daughter and her family are in Michigan.

Sunset over the marsh along the Black River, Holland, MI

No more than a single day’s drive from any of them was the decision we made when we decided to move before retirement. Lake Michigan called us both with happy memories of childhood for me and young adulthood for Coley with at least yearly visits since. Our monthly commute to Chicago sealed the deal, cutting the trip in more than half.

Commitment to Value System and Good Health

As we started to look at the housing market in the area we became more excited and less patient to make the move.  We were craving opportunities for a slow-living life that would include more exercise, creative arts and community resources to complement the lifestyle changes we had begun to make in areas of diet and living with serenity. Also we wanted a community that had progressive values toward preservation of natural resources. 

Ottawa Beach, Holland State Park, MI, USA

Protecting the local eco-systems is a huge concern for great lake shoreline communities. Many individuals and organizations are committed to bringing awareness and preserving the land and water. The Great Lakes are the world’s largest fresh water supply. The sand dunes and watersheds surrounding the lakes are fragile environments. Human encroachment has had severe and adverse impact on these areas in the last 200 years. This awareness also translates to other globally impacted systems. So much ‘progress’ to clean up!

On Lake Time

Here we found the resources we need and want. Excellent healthcare, lake-time attitudes and an urban population that gives back to it’s citizens through artistic and practical repurposing of warehouses into lofts, scrap into sculpture, and historical preservation. We are closely attached to The Art Coast of Michigan which has been nourished for over a century inspired originally by a group of artists from Chicago that can still boast an affiliation with The Art Institute of Chicago.

With 26 parks and nature areas in the Holland area alone, a bike path, boardwalk or playground is around almost every corner. Clean parks, safe streets and public transportation are obvious community priorities.

 Kollen Park, Lake Mackatawa, Holland, MI

Lifestyle Changes and Slow Urban Living

As a couple loosey-goosey in love, Coley and I both gained weight fast and furious, lifelong battles for us both. Finally shocked out of our big, fat denial, last March we began making lifestyle changes. We mainly focused on diet by eliminating processed foods, white flour and refined sugars. I walked on a treadmill.

Even though we were surrounded by beautiful woods and fields we were not comfortable with the area. Area property owners were extremely territorial with no trespassing signs stapled tight to trees and the dirt roads were travelled on by big rig trucks and SUV’s at high rates of speed kicking up dust clouds that would literally take your breath away.

Once dedicated to our diet, we lost 26 pounds each and then our weight loss stalled during the moving process – exchanging cooking at home for convenience during this excessively busy time. Finally getting back on track, we broke that barrier only a week ago with our increase in exercise and the slow return back to our diet. Very slow, in fact, since we have been determined to be out discovering new tastes in addtion to the scenery - many local breweries and vineyards complement the fare well!

Living urban now, we are required to walk the dog instead of opening the door and letting him roam free. The paved streets and sidewalks lure us outdoors with the promise of strolling along the river with the rush of marsh grasses, wildflowers, birdsong and more often than not, blue heron sightings!

Another great benefit - we were able to down-size to one car. I bought a bike that I adore and we are exploring much of our new community with the lake breeze caressing our faces and hearts.

We shop, go to art shows, the salon and eye doctor by foot or by bike. Yesterday we rode our bikes 6 miles each way to the big lake and back. The sun was bright and the wind cool for the ride in both directions. We were rewarded at our destination by white-capped waves that splashed into the pier spraying our faces and soaking our shoes. I was rewarded at home with a pink sunburn.

Stress, Rewards, Gratitude

So weary of the moving process, the rewards of living on lake time and taking advantage of the healthy resources available have made us ecstatic in just a few weeks. We’ve entertained company already and only had one argument during the last two stressful months – one that we can laugh out loud at now. We owe a debt of gratitude to family members that helped us move.

To Simon, Carl and Jon for enduring heat, muscle fatigue and endless boxes of…stuff! To Nikki for feeding the crew and Audrey and Ben for brightening the moment. To Bonnie, Brett and Dad for coming to the rescue with pick-up for trailer when we ran out of room in the 26’ truck and for making the trek across state with our almost-left-behind-belongings. And those hugs that melted me to tears! What relief!

Every member of our families expressed support and genuine happiness in our decision! Hooray to all!

Friends – The Family You Choose

Also I need and want to thank my creative sisters and writing chica tribe who surprised me with a last minute send off - Muah! Vici for always being who you are, where you are and being my west-side inspiration. And Anne, xoxoxoxo for holding my spot here at AOC. Knowing I had a place in cyberspace no matter where we ended up was a great comfort.

Yes, I’m back and ready to share stories of happiness and good health along with personal anecdotes of slow-living, lake-time treks. Love, Lisa

  Note from Anne: This is the gospel truth, you’ll have to trust me. Oh heck, I’ll show you. In honor of Lisa’s return to Anne of Carversville, her article A Day of Peace, for 24 hours Give Peace A Chance, written on  March 4, 2011 is our top article today, not including the navigation links on the website. I think that’s rather remarkable!

Even if Irene is bearing down on the Northeast, the Internet goddesses are supporting Lisa today. Lisa’s Peace even beat out Andrej Pejic and charming Porsche drivers seeking sex. Let me tell you, that is damn difficult!!