Courage to be free
Marilyn Kleemann is following the call to Australia’s red centre in a bid to be free from the stress and chaos of life
From being raised in the scenic Barossa Valley, it’s curious that now Toowoomba local Marilyn Kleemann finds the call of Australia’s red centre so strongly.
However, this intuition is leading her on a journey few have the courage to pursue — a move to isolated central Australia, with no phone reception or television, in search of peace.
“Over the last 18 months I’ve spread myself so thin that I’m now at a point where I’ve come to realise that it probably wasn’t a good idea to try and do all of these things that I always wanted to do all at once, so this is me, taking time out for myself, for my own health and wellbeing,” Marilyn says.
This month Marilyn will move to Glen Helen Homestead Lodge, 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs on what will be her fourth return to the Northern Territory to revamp her life.
“I was worried about this decision and what message I might give to other people, as in, is this just a cut and run sort of thing?” Marilyn questions.
“But I’ve come to realise that it is okay to just stop and take care
of your own health and wellbeing before you take care of others.
“I’ve decided that I need to stop, remove myself from distraction and focus on myself, journal that and then share that.”
Marilyn runs her own business, Inspired Health, Fitness and Wellbeing, and feels that this move to reclaim her life will send a positive message to her clients and people she knows.
On her past time in the Northern Territory, Marilyn speaks with peacefulness, an easy smile glazing across her gentle face.
“It was so easy to get out in the bush where there’s no manmade noises — nothing — to just sit, and listen to the stillness and quiet, to whatever nature is happening — the budgies, finches and wallabies... and I suppose that’s just me,” Marilyn says.
“I think for a lot of people that scares them — to be silent [and] I don’t know whether they need things, or people, or gadgets, whatever — but for me, that [nature] is what rejuvenates me.
“This time I feel like I’m running towards myself, so it’s the opposite, which is great.” What is Marilyn’s tip when you need to take back your life? “Write it down and let it sit for a day or two and come back to it,” she says.
“You’ve just got to re-evaluate, and weigh up the pros and cons — what’s your heart saying... that’s the most important thing.”
I think for a lot of people that scares them — to be silent [and] I don’t know whether they need things, or people, or gadgets, whatever — but for me, that [nature] is what rejuvenates me. – Marilyn Kleemann