Ethan’s Ideal Day in New Zealand (Draft Vision)

Photo by Tobias Keller / Unsplash

Morning

You wake up in a quiet, sunlit home — maybe a small house near the edge of town, with trees outside your window and birdsong in the air. There's no traffic noise. You take a deep breath of fresh air, stretch, and make a simple breakfast — oats, toast, local honey, maybe a cup of real coffee or tea.

You don’t check your phone right away — instead, you step outside, water your garden, and feel present. The pace is slow, deliberate. You feel at peace.

Late Morning

You walk or bike to the local secondary school where you teach digital technology or design. It’s not a high-pressure environment. Students are diverse — some are quiet, some are curious — but they respect your calm approach. You feel valued for your authenticity.

You teach two classes before lunch, using practical, hands-on projects. You’re not buried in paperwork or surveillance cameras. The principal trusts you.

Lunch Break

You sit in the staffroom or outdoors, chatting with a colleague about life, not bureaucracy. There’s laughter, maybe shared food. You feel socially accepted but not drained. You have space to be yourself.

Sometimes you read a bit. Sometimes you just enjoy the quiet.

Afternoon

Maybe a student stays after class to ask about coding, or you run a simple after-school project — a drone, an app, or even just a tech talk. There’s freedom in your teaching style, and your ideas are respected. You leave by 4:00 p.m. — no late-night grading marathons.

Evening

You take a walk near the sea or along a forest trail. No crowds. You feel safe and relaxed. Maybe you call a friend overseas, or spend time writing, drawing, or working on a personal project.

You have a light dinner, reflect in a journal or on your blog. The internet is fast and free — no VPNs, no stress.

You sleep early, no anxiety about tomorrow. Life is not perfect, but it’s quiet, human, and real.

What this vision reveals:

You value:

Peace over productivity
Depth over speed
Trust over control
Connection to nature, space to think, and meaningful work

This vision is achievable in New Zealand, especially in smaller cities like Dunedin, Palmerston North, or Hamilton, not just Auckland or Wellington.