After living in London for 17 years, my wife and I decided to move to Granada in the south of Spain in 2014 to get ‘away from the noise’. Most people assume that the ‘noise’ was the urban-ness of the millions of people and the traffic chaos of the big city and to some extent that’s true, however in reality, it was more about the noise of our lives in general.
We just wanted to slow things down and have more time and space to travel, breathe, think and just be. And live in the sunshine and glory of Granada and the south of Spain of course.
It sometimes feels that our lives here have changed beyond recognition and yet at times, it also feels like it hasn’t changed at all as we of course still do ‘normal’ things like the laundry and the weekly shopping. However, one of the most fundamental changes is that Mrs Away From The Noise and I have more time here for our individual selves to pursue our own interests and also for each other.
In hindsight, I’ve always enjoyed being ‘somewhere else’ in my ongoing search to get away from the noise and have regularly mentally, emotionally and physically escaped to places of tranquility because they are beautiful places to be, however I also learnt a long time ago that escaping or changing your geography is not the solution to whatever may trouble you. The usual insecurities and problems tend to follow you. They won’t change unless you do. Wherever and whoever you are, this is an ongoing battle.
Getting ‘away from the noise’ has meant that I now have time to do things I enjoy including songwriting, travelling, teaching English, exploring new interests such as minimalism and writing two blogs Cortado Ingles and this one.
As for the origin of the blog name, I’ve been writing songs for a number of years and a common theme has been wanting to be ‘somewhere else’ and the name ‘Away From The Noise’ has also been around for some time as a potential song title. So when I was looking for a name for this blog, it not only seemed to fit from a sound and meaning perspective, but it also felt like a part of me as it had been with me for a while. Since starting the blog in October 2014, I also find myself learning a lot, both as a part of writing, editing and publishing and also from other bloggers in the community.
In fact, the more I write on the blog, the more I learn about the benefits of being present and living in the moment as opposed to being or wanting to be elsewhere.
So, there you go, that’s the origin of the blog name and why I enjoy writing this blog.
I hope you find it gets you away from the noise too…
This post was written in response to the WordPress Daily Prompt as part of Blogging101 challenge.
Away From The Noise 
Hello fellow Blogging101 blogger 🙂 I enjoy the literal and figurative meaning of your blog name ~ I liked how you weaved your personal life of escaping to Granada, and the emphasis that your insecurities and problems will not leave unless you change. You seem to be introspective and a creative soul. Great post~
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Hi Olea. Glad you like the post and thanks for the feedback and interpretation.
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What I wouldn’t give to get away from the “literal” noise as well as that relentless noise in my head that believes it needs to comment and critique every thing I do or don’t do. I’m looking for a gag meantime.
Love the picture. I may have to blow it up and pretend.
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Using your analogy, maybe having the courage to stand up to the ‘relentless noise/perfectionism’ bully one small step at a time is the way forward? In the meantime, next time I’m at that beach (in Salobreña in the south of Spain), I’ll raise a glass to you Anita.
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