Hi, I’m Allison. I’m 36 years old, childless, and recently, I’ve begun to accept a truth about myself: I’m a fairly dull woman. At least, that’s what I used to think. For most of my life, I fought this feeling—this constant pressure to be more exciting, to keep up with large friend groups, to go out every weekend and fit into a social mold that didn’t feel like me.

I spent years pushing myself to be someone I wasn’t. I took jobs I hated, working endlessly because I thought I had to. I thought I had to be “busy” all the time, chasing some idea of success or happiness that the world told me I should be striving for. But all that striving eventually ate away at me. The exhaustion, the dissatisfaction, the never-ending desire to be something I wasn’t—it started to feel unbearable. And that’s when I realized something important: I didn’t have to keep pretending to be what others wanted me to be.

In 2020, I decided to make a change. I bought a 760 sqft house on a half-acre property with my partner of 15 years, and it felt like a fresh start. I no longer had to keep up with the exhausting demands of a lifestyle that wasn’t for me. Instead of hustling in a job I didn’t love, I started a small cleaning and power washing business, one that gave my partner and me the ability to work less, make more, and focus on what truly mattered. The freedom to work for ourselves meant less nonsense, fewer pressures, and more space to simply live in a way that felt right.

I began to take more control of my life, especially when it came to the things I had long been interested in but never pursued. I’ve always had a deep connection to nature, and I started to focus on it. I now grow, harvest, and preserve nearly all of our food. I’ve been studying mycology and herbalism for over a decade, and while some might think it’s weird, I no longer care. This is what makes me feel alive, what grounds me, and what connects me to the world in a meaningful way.

When I’m not studying plants or fungi, you’ll find me spending my days beautifying my property, loving on my animals, or wandering through forests and rivers, soaking in the beauty of nature in complete silence. And, honestly, that’s all I’m interested in. I’ve learned that being “dull” isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s simply the way I’ve come to embrace the things that bring me peace and fulfillment.

Letting go of the things that didn’t matter, the things I thought I should care about but didn’t, has been incredibly freeing. The process hasn’t been easy—there are times when it feels lonely, even isolating, especially when I look around and see so many people caught up in lives that seem to move at a different pace. But I’ve learned to let go of that loneliness and accept it as part of my journey. I’m no longer pretending to be someone I’m not.

And that’s why I’m so grateful to have found this group. It’s comforting to know that there are other people who, like me, embrace their “dullness” and find joy in the simple things—whether it’s nature, personal growth, or quiet time at home. It’s made me feel a lot less weird, a lot less sad, and a lot more connected to others who are on a similar path.

I’m embracing this new life, and with every passing day, I’m learning to let go of expectations and judgments. The more I let go of the noise and distractions of the world, the more peace I find. And I truly believe that by embracing the things that matter most to me—my work, my property, my studies, my animals, and my quiet moments—I’ve found a way to live that’s richer than I ever imagined.

It’s a journey, and while it may be a little lonely at times, I’m thankful for the people who are on this path with me. And I wouldn’t trade my “dullness” for anything in the world.

✨ Embracing what makes us unique, even if it seems dull to others, can bring the most peace and fulfillment.