On the back of a very chill Christmas, a spectacular start to 2018 on top of a mountain, and generally giving myself permission to stop and rest for a week – life has felt easy. I realised some time ago that the pathway of my life was not that of those surrounding me. At most opportunities I have wandered, time frames and reasons varying. On the side of Mt Tambourine in South East QLD I realised I was pretty much the only person left to provide approval for the life I have chosen. And I love it.
I can honestly say that in 2017 no two days were replicated. It was my foundation year to figure out how all these passions that exist within me align with each other and what I am supposed to do with them. Maui saw step 1: Yoga. I have been wanting to create a workshop of sorts that allows those who are a little intimidated by some of the yoga culture to feel at home and get a good grounding. That’s in the works currently. I plan on making many versions of it and am hoping it will generally help people feel good about themselves and what their mind and body can achieve. If I was to put my life’s purpose into a byline: Be Abundant in Joy (closely followed by “help others figure out what brings them joy”). Yoga seems like a decent and holistic starting point.
Whilst I was walking on the side of a mountain on Wednesday, I congratulated myself on overcoming my own self-imposed barrier towards doing things I am naturally drawn to – like hiking. At some point I had it figured that I would do all these wonderful hikes and day trips with a significant other or friends. Both of which are great ideas and will still happen, there just isn’t a rule saying that that’s how it has to be all the time. Working weekends can place a hold on fun activities outside with other people, thus I took myself off on a day adventure and revelled it. The future will hold many more of these scenarios, some day trips, others overnighters in my handy dandy new tent. Some will be planned around taking Bella (the pupper in my life) out for adventures too. Bella is a great hiking companion, she’s all about dragging me up the hills. The best bit being that on weekdays, most people are at work and the trails are open and clear for my hiking and viewing pleasure. Add in some waterfalls and I’m a happy camper! (See what I did there?!)
Though this may not appear to be revolutionary to many, the person in the centre of ‘it’ is often the last to see with clarity. If I work on the weekend, go play on a week day! If I’m doing a 13 hour day between different roles, take a rest day and do something fun! I get so lit up by movement, it’s often got a link into one of my many projects anyway. Every part is a step forward., whilst out and about on these random adventures I run into others who are working outside the usual scope also, which means I get to make friends whilst hiking to waterfalls. Double win on a Wednesday! Woot!
It is amazing to me how these little things that I know make such a difference in my mental attitude. Being outside, moving, appreciating
nature, sweating, being interested in my surroundings. They all make me a better version of myself and thus a better human to be around. The nerd in me also wants to mention that a lot of the above points are now evidence based research items that are linked with improved mental health. ‘Coz you know, nerding out on mental health and movement research is also one of my passions.
Get outside and appreciate people! Rug up or wear sun protection, whatever your climate calls for. Use the space of the great outdoors to give your brain some room to breathe.
Happy Wandering!
Hx