The phrase “get away from it all” is so common that it has its own definition in the Collins English Dictionary. According to Collins, it means:
If you get away from it all, you have a holiday in a place that is very different from where you normally live and work.
If you’re like me, you might sometimes wish for something more permanent than just a holiday. But otherwise, this definition makes perfect sense.
In 2009, Monty Halls took this idea to the extreme. He spent six months living in the remote Scottish village of Applecross as part of his show, Monty Halls’ Great Escape. His goal was to leave city life behind and become self-sufficient as a beachcomber. Over ten years later, the show still sticks with me—I recently rewatched it on DVD, and I’m glad I did.
Watching Monty transform a run-down bothy into “Beachcomber Cottage” and set up his small farm of pigs, hens, and crops brought back all the feelings that made me love the show in the first place. It might seem idealistic or romanticized, but there’s something deeply inspiring about a simple, self-sufficient life—one where you truly reap what you sow.
Appreciate What You Have
From the start, Monty is clearly happy with his new adventure. But one particular moment stands out. One evening, as he prepares a freshly caught seafood dinner over an open fire, his rescue dog Reuben watches on. He pauses to reflect on his surroundings:
“Got my dog, got my langoustines, got my house, got my beach, got my sunset. This is it, this is the real deal.”
His list isn’t long. He doesn’t have much in material terms, but in that moment, he has everything he needs. That simple contentment is a perfect example of Stoic wisdom:
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
Epictetus, Golden Sayings and Fragments
Find Strength In Community
Find Strength in Community
At first glance, Beachcomber Cottage might seem like a lonely place. Wouldn’t Monty go stir-crazy with only animals to talk to? Surprisingly, no. He quickly makes friends with the locals, who live just a short drive away. Before long, he has shelter, food, water, friends, and even electricity (thanks to wind and solar power).
One evening, after hosting a dinner with his new friends, he reflects:
It’s the end of a perfect day. Glorious weather, great company, and amazing homegrown food. It’s exactly what I’d always hoped for.
This sense of community aligns with another Stoic principle—that humans are meant to help one another. As Marcus Aurelius put it:
“Men exist for the sake of one another.”
Meditations 10.59
Monty embraces this idea, giving back in any way he can. After a successful day catching crabs, he delivers some to the villagers for free. Like in any small community, he earns acceptance by proving his willingness to contribute. It’s a simple but powerful lesson: when you help the group, the group helps you in return. What benefits the hive usually comes back to the bee in a good way.
Live In Accordance With Nature
One of the core ideas of Stoicism is to “live in accordance with Nature.” But what does that actually mean?
Monty certainly lives in nature, given his beachside location and focus on self-sufficiency. But is he truly living in accordance with Nature?
According to Stoic scholar Michael Dew:
‘Human Nature’ refers to the condition of a human who is expressing the very best in his or her development, that is their ultimate ‘best self’. They are growing and changing in an effort to reach the ultimate goal for a human being.
By this definition, Monty is living in accordance with Nature. Throughout his time in Applecross, he constantly learns, adapts, and improves. And in his final moments before leaving, he sums it up perfectly:
As I drive away from Applecross, the irony strikes me – I’ve learnt more in six months than I have in twenty years of travel, simply by staying in the same place.
This echoes the wisdom of the Stoic Seneca, who warned that constantly searching for peace elsewhere is futile:
The man who spends his life choosing one resort after another in a hunt for peace and quiet, will in every place he visits find something to prevent him from relaxing.
Letters 104.7
Keep Going
In the final episode of Monty Halls’ Great Escape, he calls his beachcomber experience the best six months of his life. Through it, he has learned that:
- Happiness doesn’t come from material wealth
- A strong community is essential
- To truly live in accordance with Nature, you must keep learning and growing
But there’s one more lesson: the importance of accepting life as it comes. He embraces the Stoic idea of Amor Fati—loving one’s fate—when he says:
I’ve learnt that you need to keep going, that sometimes things don’t quite work out the way you want them to work out. Sometimes you get what you want, sometimes you get what you need, and sometimes you get what you get.
Refresh And Raise Your Spirits
When Monty Halls’ Great Escape aired in 2009, the idea of “getting away from it all” struck a chord with many. Interest in Applecross soared—one website even reported a 1300% increase in searches after the show.
Of course, for most people, completely disappearing into nature isn’t realistic. But can you take a weekend to unplug and reconnect with the outdoors? Absolutely. Go camping, fishing, hiking—anything to challenge yourself in a new environment. Even a simple walk can work wonders.
After all, happiness comes from within, not from a location. Seneca himself encouraged taking walks to clear the mind:
“We ought to take outdoor walks, to refresh and raise our spirits by deep breathing in the open air.”
On Tranqulity of Mind
So step outside. Breathe. Take it all in.
Sometimes, you get what you get.
And you don’t need much to be wealthy—if you don’t need much.
