‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Best answer to that question I ever heard! A familiar question, right? But there are so many assumptions within it: “What” – does it have to have a label? Does…
Blog Archives
‘Life begins just outside your comfort zone’
Your comfort zone doesn’t challenge your thoughts. As soon as you’re outside of it, you start doubting yourself, giving you an opportunity to exercise that habit of recognising negative thought patterns and trying to stop yourself from identifying with them.…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Open-mindedness, Travelling
Posted in Cambodia, People
Posted in Cambodia, People
A journey like no other
No-one has ever had exactly the same journey as I just have. Even if I’ve traced the footsteps precisely of 100 people, through South America and New Zealand, the thoughts we each had along the way may well have had…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, Light-hearted, Motivation, People-oriented, Travelling
Posted in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, People, Peru
Posted in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, New Zealand, People, Peru
The weight of possibility
Some blog posts just write themselves, but this one is struggling to take shape. So I could tell you about the days and days of rain in a fruitless quest to spot a Kea (alpine parrot), or the 4-minute hot…
Tagged with: Depression, Light-hearted, Open-mindedness, Personal change, Travelling, You only live once
Posted in Abel Tasman National Park, Arthur's Pass, Golden Bay, Lewis Pass, New Zealand, People, Tui Community
Posted in Abel Tasman National Park, Arthur's Pass, Golden Bay, Lewis Pass, New Zealand, People, Tui Community
Lessons from cats and the sun!
I’ve ummed and ahhed about writing this post, because it’s very personal and it reflects some things I’ve realised about myself that aren’t necessarily good! But then I’ve seen once more numerous examples of other people sharing this stuff and…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, How I'm feeling, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Open-mindedness, Personal change, Travelling
Posted in Edievale, Invercargill, New Zealand, People, Riverton, Tapanui, The Catlins
Posted in Edievale, Invercargill, New Zealand, People, Riverton, Tapanui, The Catlins
Paralysis
Campervan bought, initial plan made and I set off from Nelson with enthusiasm! A couple of hours’ driving and one night in a Nelson Lakes camping ground later, I woke up with agonising pain, asked for help and called an…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, How I'm feeling, Mindfulness, Personal change
Posted in Nelson, New Zealand, People
Posted in Nelson, New Zealand, People
When you just let things happen
I seem to have accidentally stopped taking quite so much control over my plans and it feels like this has led to some truly amazing things. Much of the focus of this journey has been a personal one for me;…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Open-mindedness, People-oriented, Personal change, Travelling, You only live once
Posted in How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People, Volunteering, Whitianga, Wilderland
Posted in How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People, Volunteering, Whitianga, Wilderland
Wwoofing in Wilderland
Stories beat stuff. Wwoofing in New Zealand (willing workers on organic farms) is something I’ve really wanted to do since I first learned about it from my awesome vege-growing friends. When I arrived in Auckland though, I thought I might…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, Inspiration, Light-hearted, Mindfulness, Open-mindedness, People-oriented, Personal change, Travelling
Posted in How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People, Volunteering, Whitianga, Wilderland
Posted in How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People, Volunteering, Whitianga, Wilderland
Listen with the intent to understand, not to reply
Through all my travels it absolutely amazes and saddens me how few people I’ve met who have the intention to listen. Really understanding what someone is saying to you and listening to how it makes them feel is the only…
Tagged with: Compassion, Depression, How I'm feeling, Light-hearted, Mindfulness, Travelling
Posted in Auckland, How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People
Posted in Auckland, How I'm feeling, New Zealand, People
When you need to cry, just cry
Thursday – Day 4 Emotions are very human, yet so often people feel like we ‘shouldn’t’ let them show. Well sometimes it’s good to just let it all out. With thoughts of the last few frustrating overwhelming days and really…
Tagged with: Depression, How I'm feeling, Light-hearted, Travelling, You only live once
Posted in Bolivia, People, Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni
Posted in Bolivia, People, Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni
Searching for Smiles 