When life throws you a curveball: Finding the positives in adversity
CREATED BY DAVINA FARRER Published: 18/08/2026 @ 09:01AM #LifeChallenges #UnexpectedObstacles #VacationRentalWoes #CornwallCaravanTroubles #RentalPropertyStruggles
Sometimes life is ticking along quite nicely and then, without warning, the proverbial hits the fan. Last week was one of those weeks for me! I have a caravan in Cornwall that I rent out, and right in the middle of the busy season, my cleaners decided they no longer wanted to work with me ...
Curveballs in life can be challenging, but by finding the positives in adversity, we can overcome any obstacle thrown our way
There had been discussions beforehand, but ultimately I was left with no notice, a caravan which needed cleaning and new guests arriving. Suddenly, I had to get myself to Cornwall, do the clean and somehow find replacement cleaners within 24 hours. Not exactly what I'd had planned.
I could have allowed the whole situation to overwhelm me!
Between dealing with the cleaners, attending a funeral, travelling to Cornwall, sorting everything out for my caravan Seascape Bude, and then driving seven hours home again, the disruption effectively took five days out of my life. And yes, there were moments when I was stressed, frustrated and thoroughly fed up. I'm human! But I've learnt that when adversity arrives, I have a choice about where I put my attention.
So, while I was in Cornwall, I also looked at my lovely view. I spent some time with friends. I went swimming in the sea, listened to music and gave myself a little breathing space before dealing with the problem. The situation hadn't magically disappeared, but I could still find something positive amongst the chaos.
It reminded me why having flexibility in my working life matters so much to me. My main income didn't require me to ask a boss for five days off at incredibly short notice. I could rearrange things, deal with the emergency, and catch up afterwards.
Adversity happens to all of us. Sometimes it's huge, and sometimes it's simply five days of completely unwanted chaos. I don't believe we have to pretend everything is wonderful when it isn't. But when the shit hits the fan, I do believe there's value in asking: what can I do about this? Where's the positive hiding?
Mine happened to be hiding beside the sea in Cornwall.
Until next time ...
DAVINA FARRER
Would you like to know more?
If anything in this post has made you stop and think, or you're wondering if there might be a different way of doing things, I'd love to chat. You can find out more on my website at joindavina.co.uk, call me on 07950 003140, or connect with me on LinkedIn and say hello. No pressure, just a friendly conversation to see what's possible.
I’ve always believed life is too short to sit still and wait for “someday.” From travelling the world in my twenties to taking on challenges like long-distance coastal walks, I’ve built a life around adventure, freedom, and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
After becoming a mum, I wanted a way to be present for my family while still creating an income and future for myself. That led me to build a flexible, residual income business that fits around real life - not the other way round. Today, I help others do the same, showing them how to reduce their bills and create more choice with their time.
For me, it’s not just about money - it’s about freedom. Freedom to travel, take on new challenges, and be there for the moments that matter most. If you’re looking for a way to create more flexibility, more income, and more life in your days, you’re in the right place.
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