Putting Health And Family First: Trip From Farm To Freedom

Putting Health And Family First:

From Farm To Freedom

Kelly Warren and her husband Glenn began their family life just like many others. Glenn worked long hours in his chosen profession, as a dairy farmer, while Kelly juggled part-time work in events management with running a household of six.

They were content with their life however always dreamed of how it could be better.

They were so busy ‘doing’ their everyday lives that finding that elusive work/life balance seemed impossible. However, fate took over, and two significant events forced their hand into making the decision of a lifetime.

The dairy industry faced a crisis, meaning Glenn’s work was becoming increasingly unsustainable. The time he was spending on the farm had begun having a significant negative impact on the family and the downturn meant they needed to be wary financially. Around this time, Glenn’s friend and mentor, John, became unwell and sadly passed away. The shakeup was unnerving, but they heard the message. It was time to get out and find their freedom.

“We always felt like life was so busy when Glenn was farming. Constantly busy, but not feeling like we were reaping the reward for our efforts. At the end of the day, it felt as if everything was steering us toward beginning a new life with a new direction.

“With wise counsel from family, we made the decisions and took action to sell off cattle, machinery and tie up any loose ends. Glenn went back to building (a carpenter by trade) for six months and we confirmed our decision to hit the road,” Kelly said.

“The family worked hard to make their dreams a reality and nurture what was truly important – their health, their happiness and each other.”

So, with renewed passion and purpose, the family worked hard to make their dreams a reality and nurture what was truly important – their health, their happiness and each other. Glenn worked full time as a builder and prepared the house for market on the weekends while Kelly continued her part-time work and simultaneously set up a new business venture that would allow them the balance they needed – One Lazy Sunday.

“Websites were built, emails sent, suppliers established and a photoshoot scheduled before Christmas so we had some content for our website and socials. Thrown into the mix…packing up a house that had been sold a week after going to market and running a house of four children with all the beautiful chaos that comes with raising a family!” Kelly said.

“It was a very busy, but very exciting time. Looking back, I’m quite surprised about how much we fit into those six months! We are also so grateful for having made the decisions that led us to where we are today as we truly feel like we are living the dream. We love our work; we love where we live, and we love the beautiful balance we’ve managed to create here.”

Kelly, Glenn and their four young kids then hit the road, just like they had dreamed. They headed west in their Airstream Caravan and filled their days with exploring the country, meeting new people and spending quality time together. In Kelly’s words, they had found their flow and it no longer felt like they were “swimming against the current”.

While travelling, they had the time and space to continue working on the business Kelly set up before leaving. One Lazy Sunday offers boutique Airstream accommodation, luxuriously customised to the guests’ needs and wants – anywhere they like!

“For years we’ve enjoyed camping and the outdoors and we often talked about the ultimate camping set up. After many discussions and a few laughs around the campfire, we concluded that the best set up is one you don’t have to set up or pack up yourself! So that’s what we’ve created for those who love the creature comforts of a hotel but the rawness of nature!” Kelly explained.

“It’s pop-up luxe accommodation at its best! We deliver the van and set it up for our guests, packing it down after their stay. The boutique rooms are completely self-contained with queen bed, kitchen, dining area, toilet and hot water shower. Our rooms come with designer linen, towels, on-trend ceramics, organic tea and coffee, outdoor chairs, bikes, the list goes on! We have holding tanks for water and batteries and solar for power so that we can set up in the middle of nowhere! We can even organise an eat-in menu so that meals can be waiting in the fridge for our guests’ arrival!”

Kelly and Glenn have managed to create the perfect balance and a life they love! Glenn’s now working fulltime as a builder and Kelly is running their business, One Lazy Sunday. They have created the work-life balance and ultimate in family freedom that they thought was out of the question for so long. They have now expanded their fleet with an additional Airstream and have partnered with landowners to offer unique, secluded spaces for guests to enjoy. They also provide a range of products that complement the Airstream getaway through a handpicked online store.

Kelly and Glenn’s experience has proved, without a doubt, that freedom for your family is achievable, no matter the circumstances. To help other families looking to break free of the daily grind, Kelly has kindly offered her advice.

• Visualise what it is you want

I feel like if you want something enough, you will find a way to make it happen. There were times where we heard of other families hitting the road and we were so genuinely happy for them, but would also hope the day would come where it would be our family doing the same. What I didn’t realise is that we had already, in a sense, been visualising that day and, eventually, it became a reality. We are now big believers in visualising what we want.

• Know what you want

Everyone knows, deep down, what it is that makes them happy. For years we didn’t love the winters (in Victoria) and we always gravitated to the coast for our holidays. Upon reflection and after deciding to settle interstate after our trip, we realised that we had desired this lifestyle for so long. Having our dreams become a reality on more than one occasion gives us confidence that if you wake up grateful for what you have, work towards your goals and visualise what it is you want, the chances are, it will become a reality at some point!

• Have perspective on what is important in life

Being grateful makes you happy and turns what you have into enough. This, combined with making time to quiet your mind and trying to be present in all that you do, makes it easier to seek clarity on what it is you want out of life. We began our trip around Australia with a very open mind and open hearts, and for us, this was the right path to take. There were no real obstacles; everything had flow. What we wanted, wanted us back and this has continued for us after our move to Byron Bay, having had a completely seamless transition into a beautiful new community!

• Have confidence in your abilities and decisions

Did we have some concerns about what next? Not really. Because we have confidence in our ability, we know how to work. We know what we want in life. And we know what’s important - at the end of the day, the health and happiness of our friends and family are all that matters. I suppose you have to be willing to let go of things that don’t matter.

To learn more about Kelly and Glenn’s journey, visit their website

www.onelazysunday.com.au

or follow them on Facebook

@OneLazySunday