For 20 years I’ve been visiting Rogil on the West Coast of Portugal after my parents bought a place out here.
The first few years I found it boring and I just didn’t get it.
As a Londoner in my early twenties the contrast with the big smoke was too much.
Over the years, as the memories stacked up with Christmas visits and summer holidays, it started to feel like second home but NEVER somewhere I could ever contemplate living.
Fast forward a few years and long Covid led to a bigger stint out here and then… something changed.
Rogil became home and in Spring 2024 I moved here full time.
I’m trying to figure out where and why the shift occurred.
Did I change or did Rogil?
Rogil is different for sure but the parts I love the most have always been this way.
There have always been magical beaches, dusty hiking trails, misty mountains, villagers sipping Sagres (at sunrise!) and farmers grafting in the sweet potato fields until sunset.
In 2024 the longer I stayed here the more I realised:
No one cares what you wear, what you do, what you earn, what car you drive or where you live.
They care about the community, connection, nature and enjoying life.
Everyone acknowledges you with a smile and a wave, happily greeting you with Ola, Bom Dia or Boa Tarde.
The company starts to rub off.
I have found myself smiling more, connecting less with technology and more with humans and nature.
The lack of distraction with insignificant things (plus no access to Amazon, Vinted, H&M … lol) has freed up my mind.
I started to notice a different dawn chorus, clouds gliding off the mountains, the scent of Portuguese pine, the cuckoo calling, wind rustling the palms, swallows diving, storks soaring, caracois chilling and the golden, red sky at night.
The lack of light pollution revealed a galaxy of stars at night I’ve not seen for years.
It all reminded me there’s an infinite universe out there far greater than me.
It reinforced the fact that many things I was worrying about, striving for and working hard to achieve would be completely irrelevant one day.
Which begged the question, how much time and energy should I dedicate (or waste) on these things?
The answer was the minimal, necessary dose.
This sense of perspective has given me more time to enjoy the journey by filling it with experiences, emotions and great company rather than things.
Having written all the above I think I’ve answered my own question haven’t I?
Rogil helped me develop an awareness to change myself.
I’m so keen to share this experience with others through my brand new Walking to Wellness Retreats, so you can come on a similar journey!
If finding your own sense of purpose sounds appealing and you’re interested to find out more once the first dates are announced then do let me know by emailing ‘Walking to Wellness Retreats’ to [email protected].
You’ll be the first to hear once we’ve confirmed dates.
