I have always liked peppermint. I like to eat peppermint dark chocolate, I like to drink peppermint tea, I like to scrub my body in peppermint crush body wash, thanks Palmolive. And it turns out I also like living in Peppermint Grove.

As I have written before, moving house caused me some anxiety and apprehension. I was moving away from a home I had known for nearly 25 years and starting over, fresh. As fresh as it sounds, I by chance came across an opportunity to live in Peppy grove. Those who live abroad this happens to be one of the wealthiest and affluent suburbs in Perth full of impressive mansions, lush gardens, and boasts river and sea views.

Rather than wallow in what I had left behind I have consciously decided to make the very best of an amazing and rare opportunity to live in such a fabulous suburb. I have the river within 100m walk from my house and the other day I ran to the beach, just to see if I could. And yes I can. How cool is that?

Today I went for a massive bike ride, at a leisurely pace I spun along the coastline and admired all the beauty before me. A bright blue aqua sea, happy stand up paddle boarders, and ecstatic dogs sprinting and flicking beach sand in their wake. I rode all the way along to the port of Fremantle, where they store the container ships. A place that always intrigues me.

I have been occupied with letting go of my possessions of late, and feel like I want to sell and give away as much as I can. I want to lighten my load, de-clutter, release the grief, and remove most to all remnants of past memories. Stuff can hold you back.

                                                              Creating space creates clarity.

As a bonus I am also less motivated to buy stuff, which I realise I do not need. The more I throw away, give away, or sell, the better I feel. Amazing, who would have thought right? Seeing all these containers full of possessions reminds me how possessed with obsessions we all are. It’s big business acquiring and keeping and transporting our stuff. At least the containers are all colourful, makes them so much more appealing!

Creating new routines in my peppy new suburb has been making me feel good, very peppy in fact. I like to take long walks and photograph beautiful gardens, and anything else in nature that I find appealing and attractive.

I have also been enjoying creating a new healthy routine of going lap swimming at my new local aquatic centre, Claremont pool. I always loved my green grassed, tall eucalyptus tree lined Inglewood pool, it is hard to give up favourite activities. But I must say, I am really liking my new pool. It is nice and clean, not very busy, and has many nice little sunny and shady spots to sit, where I can enjoy reading my favourite magazines, lately Frankie and Nature and Health, thanks to Grove Library.

Visiting my local library has also made me feel connected to my new space. I love to read and love the variety and abundant reading opportunities libraries can offer. I also love the big mulberry tree right outside the library blooming with delicious purple finger staining fruit. A nice little treat before I walk home, reminding me how wonderful nature can be, and so tasty.

I also discovered a fairly remote nature trail along the foreshore, where you can walk in the morning admiring the river in full sun. I stroll along, watching out for dolphins, admiring the ducks and black swans and hear the men talk about the sharemarket as they paddle furiously along in their kayaks. Oh how I wish for a kayak! That would be amazing! This nature trail is so peaceful, and feels like you are away on holidays, when in fact you are still in the metro area. This has become one of my favourite walks.

As I walk I like to pluck and walk; I like to think of it as a sensory sensation. I love to stop and smell the roses, I don’t pick these ones, just admire their beauty and sometimes photograph them. I always pluck some lavender, rosemary and lemon tree leaves as these are common around most Perth suburbs. For me it is like an aromatherapy walk! I am blessed that Peppermint grove is full of lush tall trees, quiet well manicured and well kept streets, and you can also hear many twittering birds. It really is quite divine. Walking is a great way to explore your environment, you can see so much more at this pace and every walk discover something new or different.

Peppermint Grove is proving to be a pretty awesome suburb to live in. As I continue to walk, ride, and photograph my way around town I am progressively feeling more and more grounded there. My wanderlust is dissipating for the time being, although dreams of around Australia road trips and journies to South America and Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National parks are still at the forefront of my mind. But that is for another post…

Anita xx

What do you do to feel more grounded in your local area? Please tell me in the comments below…