Adventure Tales.
When you have anxiety, nothing is really safe and up until a few years ago, I really struggled with traveling. I found it stressful and because I could never switch off, I never enjoyed it. But when I started to learn about self care, things really changed. Concepts such as mindfulness and gratitude changed my mindset on the 'what if's'. Learning to build in self care time made me feel like I could cope with anything. Living in the moment. Focusing on connection. It's what made me start documenting so I could look back on the moments I really lived.
I hope you enjoy watching my adventures as much as I loved experiencing them.
England - September 2018
I hadn’t been home in 2 and a half years (thanks to immigration!) and that was for 5 days because my Grandad died…let’s just say that no true connection time was had. I missed my family so much, so 2 years later, I was REALLY ready to go home!
This time I went with really clear intentions and packed in as many one on ones as I possibly could and it was so amazing. I met with every person in my family, old friends, new friends, people I hadn’t had in my life for 12 years. True authentic connection. For an introvert like me, it was a little tiring but also totally magic and exactly what I needed to feel like myself again.
This video is full of Chatsworth. It’s the place I grew up in, the place I went to make every life decision, it’s the place I feel made me…me! I hope you love it as much as I do. Mx
New York - February 2018
There aren't many cities that I love just wondering in. That I LOVE getting lost in. New York is one of the ones that I love the most. My Dad lives there with his wife and two little ones and this trip was a time I got to bond with the whole family! Central Park, the Guggenheim, the 9/11 memorial and SHOPPING which I love!
Big takeaways? Feeling LOVED. My Step-Mum's advice on face care (OIL based cleanser), my Dads love for music, his advice on love and life and an INCREDIBLE wine tasting at .... bonding with my little brother over his love for gaming and gaining a little sister! Also....ALL the food. Like....ALL the food! #noregrets ;)
p.s. I genuinely DO think the tallest building in the hemisphere is massive cool...but that's the first time I filmed myself live in public and aparently I sound like a douche when uncomfortable! Haha! Mx
Road Tripping out West - June 2016
The Badlands, Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. I had no idea what to expect when we set out on our first national park road trip together. I had seen some pictures of Yellowstone but had no idea the grandeur of the sites I was about to see. On this trip, I saw a moose, a bear, a heard of bison, wild sheep, insane landscapes, the strangest natural phenomenon, some of the hottest weather I had experienced, alongside some snow....and I bonded with my wife after a pretty tough year together.
We were experimenting with where we were staying. A motel, a hotel and our van. And as a surprise to me, I actually preferred sleeping in the van! It's cosy, it had all of our shit, there were multiple rest stops. Its the only spot I didn't get footage of. But it felt like home on the road and that was good enough for me (and my anxiety).
Mx
Volunteering in Thailand - June 2013
When I left on this trip, I was so lost. I had just completed a gap year where I was working 3 jobs, 7 days a week and although I liked my jobs, I wasn't in any way fulfilled. Because I was so lost, I had repeatedly hurt someone I loved and I just didn't know what I was supposed to do. So I booked a 2 week volunteering trip with International Student Volunteers at Elephant Nature Park and in the surrounding hill tribes.
Thailand taught me the love of animals. I had changed my program on a whim to volunteer with elephants and in the process I was introduced to cats, dogs, elephants...a whole new world of connection. I was also introduced to my wife and I ended up coming out. It was a whirlwind. It was beautiful. It was painful. The trip changed half way through...and it subsequently changed my life.
Mx
