So we have been in the province for 3 months already. Enjoying the rural life and maximizing the ‘slowness’ of life here.  I felt even before that life in the province can give peace to a person. I’m not sure if it’s only me who have lived in the city (more so, the capital of the Philippines) where everything is within your reach. Hungry? Go grab your phone and order some food. Sad or frustrated? Go to the mall. Need something within the day? Have it same-day delivered. Need to celebrate? Go to a restaurant, watch a movie, or go shopping.

And as you can see, everything that you need to feel ‘positive’ entails spending. So people need to work harder, faster. People in the business district that I am working are walking so fast. Life in the capital is so fast. You need to keep up. Or so you thought you need to. That’s why people are more stressed in the cities than in rural areas.

People in the rural area are somewhat opposite. Hungry? Check your garden if you have something to cook (if none, go to the nearest local market). Sad or frustrated? Go outside and enjoy the greens or the sea. Need something within the day? Well, is it really urgent and can’t wait until the weekend?  Need to celebrate? Go buy a grilled chicken or wait until the weekend to eat with the whole family (maybe at a restaurant or at home).

Adjustment stage

I can say that I am still working out my adjustment. I have lived in the city for 37 years so people cannot really expect me to fully adjust in 3 months. But people here are so friendly and ready to offer a helping hand (especially in translating words) and in making me comfortable. I appreciate them for adjusting to me also (they shouldn’t actually, but they are). And that’s helping me adjust faster. Yes, the conveniences that I was used to are not present here. But the experience is also teaching me something to become a better version of myself. 

Realizations and learnings

Entitlement. I think this is what most of people in the cities have. Since they are working hard and trying hard to live a fast-paced life, they have the “entitled” thinking. “I worked hard so I deserve this…” or “I am stressed so I am entitled to this…” And that’s what I am not seeing here in the province (or not yet so far). People are so humble and understanding to others. They do not show entitlement to others.

Delayed gratification. That’s what I am learning here. In the city, there’s this always “instant” in everything. Like what I said earlier, there are deliveries when you need something and you can go anywhere, anytime. You cannot just go to the town center or nearest city because you want to because you’ll end up spending money to fuel or fare. You need to maximize your trip and buy everything you need in one go (at least). I am not used to this, honestly. But I’m adjusting because there are really times that I want something but so lazy to go out of the house.

Bayanihan. The sense of bayanihan (community helping) is also one of the things that I observe here. Every one’s willing to help you in any way. Tell them what you need and they will find ways to help you. We had the year-end party for the kids and the adults helped with the games (and we were very happy during the event – – I think the adults enjoyed more. haha).

Simplicity of life. I am still amazed on how simple life here is. It’s as if the days are fast but the time is slow. No fast food, only local stores and bakeries. No malls, only intsik-intsik (the Divisoria-like shops here). People are happy (or happier) because they are contented with their life. I’m not saying that they do not have dreams (in fact, they have), but they are not entitled or grew up to be entitled. That’s the difference.

I am getting there. And I am trying to master the things I need to learn. Maybe after few more months, I can say that I have been fully integrated with the rural life (I need to go out more. haha). I am happy with the family decision. The kids are happy and so we are.