Ben Lowrey is a Property Investor, and Retreat Organiser, living in South Wales, UK.
www.benlowrey.com
www.realawake.co.uk
[Speaker 1]Hey everybody. It's Friday night, 9 pm, and I'm at Pentra Palace by myself. Lately, I've been enjoying my own company, which is unusual because I typically crave social interaction. But I've been feeling quite connected lately, so I'm happy chilling at home. It's nice for now, but that feeling does fade, and you start wanting connection again. I've been doing a lot, so I'm enjoying this peace.
[Speaker 2]Feels good.
[Speaker 1]Part of that is having things to look forward to. I've learned that half the battle in life is having future events to anticipate. I tracked my mood on a spreadsheet years ago, and having future plans significantly boosted my mood. An empty calendar feels bleak. So, I always ensure there's something in the diary, even booking festivals for next year. It keeps you excited and in good spirits.
[Speaker 3]And put that aside.
[Speaker 1]Yeah, having plans is crucial. It's bleak without them. Now, I always have multiple things lined up, which keeps my mood up. Booking events early lets you enjoy them before they even happen. It's better than waiting and wondering about tickets or availability; that's just crappy energy. I've booked some static dance events I enjoy like Sea Gypsy, Asara, and Aruba. It's easy to make friends there because we share common interests.
It's feeling very wintry, cold, and frosty, which I'm kind of enjoying. On the property front, things are speeding up with my new business partner. We're working on a few purchases, including a forest which is complex but potentially lucrative because fewer people can handle such deals. It's like a puzzle; you have to fit all the pieces together for everyone involved. It's like a game, and if you're not enjoying it, you're doing it wrong.
[Speaker 2]Um,
[Speaker 1]I forgot to mention Real Awake. It's always different every time, and this last one was no exception - lots of deep stuff and unexpected realizations. We held it at my house for the first time, which was great because everyone was in close proximity, making it feel like a house party and retreat combined. My house is spacious enough for 20 people, offering different areas for socializing or quiet time. It worked out better than expected, giving it a 'spiritual Big Brother' vibe.
We keep it alcohol-free, selective with attendees, and it's a non-competitive, connection-oriented event. No activism, just social interaction. The simplicity of the event is its strength. Over time, the facilitators have added depth, and everyone involved is humble, which makes for a special experience.
[Speaker 2]Oh fuck, nearly Christmas, isn't it? I might have it at my place this year, but I generally enjoy visiting friends rather than obligatory family gatherings. Last year, I didn't celebrate; I was busy with house renovations.
[Speaker 1]Yeah, if I've got a house available, I might invite people over. We'll see.
[Speaker 3]Do you ever feel like you got more to say?
[Speaker 1]I've got more to say, just not sure what. I've been dealing with scabies from a festival, which led me to try Ivermectin and now steroid cream. It's frustrating because the itching persists, but there's a time for pharmaceuticals, I guess. Like when I had a skin infection that wouldn't clear up with alternative treatments but was gone after antibiotics.
Alright, I'm going to enjoy this warm, hibernatory evening at home. Catch you soon, all.
