THE GOAL OF THE OUTSTAY PROGRAM IS TO REACCLIMATIZE MYSELF TO THE WORLD AFTER MY LONG PERIOD OF SECLUSION. It is designed to serve as a bridge between life with my parents at Lake Haven, and the adventures which await when I remove out of "home". One could liken it to taking baby steps into the void... tentative at first, then bolder and more certain, once I gain rhythm, and poise.
Inertia has long been recognized as a problem. The Outstay Program is a remedy to this problem. Who knows, perhaps I may be able to make a triumphant return to Sydney, before beginning the long trek north?
The three stages of the Outstay Program can overlap with each other. In fact, once started, Stage One will never really end... I will always be expanding my range. However, once I have stayed 7 nights at one place, my next target will be 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks and so on (this will mark the beginning of the Escape from Oz!)
STAGE ONE: THE RECON
FINDING THE edge of my Comfort Zone, and the rate of the my Comfort Zone's expansion.
AUXILIARY GOALS: Booking a room online; probing wifi reception; getting used to the Vagabondic lifestyle!
Additional issues: Loneliness: On my first few nights away (such as at Gorokan on June 10, 2015) I felt quite strong homesickness, even though "home" was literally just up the road. Phase Two will commence in April 2016, when I hope to stay a night at the Dam Hotel in Wadalba.
STAGE TWO: The Longstay
WHILE STAGE One will involve me probing how far I can stay from home, Stage Two is all about how long I can stay away. I need to answer the question: does anxiety rise the longer I away from "home", or does it decrease as I start to accept the hotel as my new home?
In March 2016, I returned to the Bridge View Motel at Gorokan, and this time stayed for two nights. Later that year? I stayed three nights at the Beachcomber Resort in Toukley.
STAGE THREE: The Teachstay
IN THE Third component of the Outstay Program, I introduce work into the equation. After all, I will need to work as I wander, and Stage Three is focused on recording how I feel teaching so far from home, as well as the practical aspects of working in a hotel room, or AirBNBer. Will the wifi be up to the task, or will I need to use my phone as a tether? That is one question out of many. How much will it cost to support myself? Hotel rooms are not designed to be offices, and sometimes the atmosphere can be oppressive. Dust can irritate my nostrils, or give me a sore throat.
Outstay Schedule
How long before the Escape (in years!)?
Current Month:
Manifesting the Escape
Muladhara: The Will to Manifest Gorokan (One Night) | stage one June 10 2015
Svadhisthana: Vision Toukley (One Night) | stage one August 12 2015
Manipura: Solar Plexus Noraville
(One Night) | stage one October 21 2015Gorokan (Two Nights) | stage two March 9-10 2016Watanobbi
(One Night) | stage one October 12 2016Toukley (One Night with One iTalki Lesson) | stage three February 15 2017
Anahata: Heart Wyong (One Night) | stage one November 29 2017Wyong (Four Nights) | stage two February 5-9 2018Budgewoi (Two Nights with Five iTalki Lessons) | stage three May 2-4 2018
Vishudda: Throat The Entrance (One Night) | stage one August 22 2018Killarney Vale (One Night) | stage one October 27 2018The Entrance (Five Nights) | stage two February 18-23 2019The Entrance (Three Nights with 9 iTalki Lessons) | stage three August 27-30 2019
Sahasrara: Crown Robin's Nest (One Night) | stage one September 10 2020Robin's Nest Six Nights) | stage two September 11-17 2020Robin's Nest (Four Nights with 15 iTalki Lessons) | stage three September 18-21 2020
Ajna: Third Eye Gosford (One Night) | stage one March 17 2021
Gosford (Seven Nights) | stage two May 17-24 2021
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But when the cat's away the mice sure do play... and freedom lies on the margins of the page!
