{"id":317,"date":"2025-05-16T21:48:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T19:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/?p=317"},"modified":"2025-06-11T22:27:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T20:27:55","slug":"the-great-letting-go-has-begun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/en\/the-great-letting-go-has-begun\/","title":{"rendered":"The great letting go has begun!"},"content":{"rendered":"

May 16, 2024<\/p>\n

In the morning, I fry some eggs on my beach. I have a big appetite, and it stays with me all day. I eat often. One of my decisions has been to eat when I\u2019m hungry, not at set times. During the first two weeks I ate much less than usual, simply because I didn\u2019t feel like it. I quite like it this way\u2014it seems much more natural. Another interesting experiment. I also believe the body tells you exactly what it needs, as long as you listen closely.<\/p>\n

Another remarkable thing: I\u2019ve had a roll of cookies in my bag for a week now, and it\u2019s still not gone. I just don\u2019t crave sugar anymore. That feels like a real victory! Also: I take an afternoon nap. I think the great letting go has truly begun. At a lake, I come across three wonderful beach chairs, and I simply can\u2019t resist. With a slight breeze, the sun isn\u2019t too warm, and this siesta does me good. And yes, I make sure to use sunscreen.<\/p>\n

After my nap, I hope to find a campsite quickly, but I\u2019ve now arrived near V\u00e4rnamo\u2014which, by Swedish standards, is a large city. I had seen a shelter marked on the map, but it turns out to be in a park, and I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s allowed\u2014or even smart\u2014to sleep there. I feel safe in nature, but in a city, not so much. Too many odd people around. I\u2019d hoped to find something before reaching the city, but no luck. Also, I noticed there won\u2019t be another supermarket for a while, so I quickly do some shopping at 8:30 p.m. and then rush off in search of a place to sleep.<\/p>\n

Leaving the city, I pass several lakes and beaches, but everywhere I see signs: camping forbidden. That\u2019s often the case near towns or larger villages, probably to discourage partying teenagers from taking over the popular spots\u2014but I didn\u2019t know that yet. It\u2019s getting quite dark, and I start to feel anxious. Finally, I find what I think is a tourist information board, and beneath it, there\u2019s a small grassy patch. It looks like a parking area of sorts in the fading light. I pitch my tent all the way to the side\u2014just in case any cars show up tomorrow, at least I won\u2019t be in the way. Just before 11 p.m., my tent is up, and after all that stress, I thankfully fall asleep quickly.<\/p>\n