Thank you for stopping by Kate. And nice to hear that you are more at home in sharing. It is definitely a journey around voice and being seen to start just putting things out online. ⭐️
Thank you Michelle. Love having you here and joining the journey as a fellow traveler. I was in awe of the journey you mentioned on your page of Geneva to Islamabad. That must have been such a change to live through.
Love your story and excited to follow your future posts. So I'm deep in the early motherhood journey right now with two little ones. My unconventional path looks more like a series of unfinished and unconventional hobbies and interests 😄
Hello Tania - thank you for stopping by and sharing. I can imagine what a deep journey motherhood with two little ones must be. And as a woman a time when your place in the systems we live in shifts - a lot to move though. I love the unconventional path you share of unfinished hobbies - I can almost see them lined up like little trails around bookcases and back gardens. I like the idea you mention of starting things because then - you get to know your interests a little more. Personally, I think there is a lot of power in that.
Love your story and your name! And what an inspiring life - not just traveling the world, but traveling within yourself. This type of journeys are the best for me, maybe because some people close to my heart travelled the world but couldn't escape the toxic environment they created in their hearts. The travells didn't heal them.
Welcome Sylwia - thank you for your comment and for taking time to connect here. I love your thoughts about journeys - that hits really hard - to travel the world but not escape the toxic environment in their hearts. I very much agree. Travel doesn't heal. It is not a magic potion - even if that is something we are often sold. We can take ourselves to the other side of the world but no matter how many countries we visit - we take all of us with us - and at some point we need to take a look at all that baggage we brought along.
Thank you for drawing us into your story. I'm very excited to read more of your "hidden stories" and glimpse more of what must be courage and heart-seeking by a woman meeting the unknown around the globe.
My journeys and my extreme unconventionalism sort of all occurred in only a couple of geographical locations in the United States. Still I have that spirit of adventure that allows me to feel welcomed in your online world. I love that!
It will be an honor and to learn more about your inner journey along with your incredible physical/geographical journeys.
Hello JR thank you for this comment. I love that you use the word heart seeking - that resonates so much for me. And I know you are heart-seeking too. And yes the spirit of adventure comes in all sorts of places - I am so glad you are here with all your unconventional stories. If one thing travelling the world has shown me is that I don't think crossing borders is where real travel happens. Thank you.
Already feeling a kinship with the choices you’re making in sharing your stories, experiences… your journey. I’ve been writing here only months, but still resisting the vulnerability necessary for writing about the tough stuff.
Looking forward to journeying together. Thank you for being here! 🧡
Hello Bree. Welcome. Thank you for joining me here. I love to find another oat milk flat white fan - there really is not a better coffee in my opinion.
Yes - I relate - the fear of putting the vulnerable things out there is real. I am going slowly through the harder things - but I also know for years those stories have been wanting out. And I want to give them a chance to be heard. Thank you for being a companion on this journey. Love having you here.
I loved seeing all the places you've lived on your map!
I also had a very itinerant career in the early part of my working life. I was a communications specialist in the non-profit sector and lived/worked in Zambia, Malawi, India, USA and, for much shorter stints, in Jordan, Beirut, Turkey & the Palestinian Territories. It was fascinating work that really shaped my worldview, though it ended in a pretty severe burnout and a pivot towards writing. That said, I think I've retained an international perspective on the world and am eager to read more about your adventures.
Thank you for stopping by Clare and for also sharing the places you have called home. I think the International Development sector always gives us these lists of random seemingly unconnected places we have lived in - but - for me anyway - when I look back I see so many odd connections between them all.
I agree with the worldview - Iiving in different places - especially ones which are very different than home - shaped how I see things.
I also unfortuantely relate to the burnouts etc. It is not an easy sector to work in and one of my motivations for writing here was to bring that personal lens together alongside my professional experience. I think combined they tell a different story than my CV. And I think that helps to see the world a bit more how it is.
What a great intro! I loved seeing the map of places you've lived. I'm so glad you've worked up the courage to write online. I'm looking forward to getting whisked away on an adventure with you through your stories.
To answer your question, I'm walking a very unconventional path for my family of origin. I left the high-demand religion I was raised in five years ago that my family has been a part of since our pioneer ancestors converted in the 1800s. I followed that with a divorce (of an 18-year marriage). I feel like a pioneer now too but in a different way than I ever imagined. I'm charting my own path completely, and it's been scary but mostly exhilarating. ✨
Thank you for being here Jenn. What a powerful story. Absolutely agree - you do sound like a pioneer cutting your own path in the forest - what a brave choice for your life - but I can imagine how it comes with fear and challenges along the way.
Thank you Bethel for passing by this space! Welcome. Yes absolutely - I have lots of stories - now working out the best way to share them and shape them. I would love that they support others in their own journeys.
Lovely you’re able to tell your stories now. I found it difficult and exposing when I first started writing though I now feel more at home with it!
Thank you for stopping by Kate. And nice to hear that you are more at home in sharing. It is definitely a journey around voice and being seen to start just putting things out online. ⭐️
This is such a wonderful introduction and statement of intent! I'm so glad to be along for the ride 💕
Thank you Michelle. Love having you here and joining the journey as a fellow traveler. I was in awe of the journey you mentioned on your page of Geneva to Islamabad. That must have been such a change to live through.
Love your story and excited to follow your future posts. So I'm deep in the early motherhood journey right now with two little ones. My unconventional path looks more like a series of unfinished and unconventional hobbies and interests 😄
Hello Tania - thank you for stopping by and sharing. I can imagine what a deep journey motherhood with two little ones must be. And as a woman a time when your place in the systems we live in shifts - a lot to move though. I love the unconventional path you share of unfinished hobbies - I can almost see them lined up like little trails around bookcases and back gardens. I like the idea you mention of starting things because then - you get to know your interests a little more. Personally, I think there is a lot of power in that.
Love your story and your name! And what an inspiring life - not just traveling the world, but traveling within yourself. This type of journeys are the best for me, maybe because some people close to my heart travelled the world but couldn't escape the toxic environment they created in their hearts. The travells didn't heal them.
Welcome Sylwia - thank you for your comment and for taking time to connect here. I love your thoughts about journeys - that hits really hard - to travel the world but not escape the toxic environment in their hearts. I very much agree. Travel doesn't heal. It is not a magic potion - even if that is something we are often sold. We can take ourselves to the other side of the world but no matter how many countries we visit - we take all of us with us - and at some point we need to take a look at all that baggage we brought along.
Thank you for drawing us into your story. I'm very excited to read more of your "hidden stories" and glimpse more of what must be courage and heart-seeking by a woman meeting the unknown around the globe.
My journeys and my extreme unconventionalism sort of all occurred in only a couple of geographical locations in the United States. Still I have that spirit of adventure that allows me to feel welcomed in your online world. I love that!
It will be an honor and to learn more about your inner journey along with your incredible physical/geographical journeys.
I'm so glad you created this space
Hello JR thank you for this comment. I love that you use the word heart seeking - that resonates so much for me. And I know you are heart-seeking too. And yes the spirit of adventure comes in all sorts of places - I am so glad you are here with all your unconventional stories. If one thing travelling the world has shown me is that I don't think crossing borders is where real travel happens. Thank you.
Catriona, you had me at oat milk flat white.
Already feeling a kinship with the choices you’re making in sharing your stories, experiences… your journey. I’ve been writing here only months, but still resisting the vulnerability necessary for writing about the tough stuff.
Looking forward to journeying together. Thank you for being here! 🧡
Hello Bree. Welcome. Thank you for joining me here. I love to find another oat milk flat white fan - there really is not a better coffee in my opinion.
Yes - I relate - the fear of putting the vulnerable things out there is real. I am going slowly through the harder things - but I also know for years those stories have been wanting out. And I want to give them a chance to be heard. Thank you for being a companion on this journey. Love having you here.
Such a kind and thoughtful reply, Catriona. There is absolutely vocal strength to be gained through common experience!
I loved seeing all the places you've lived on your map!
I also had a very itinerant career in the early part of my working life. I was a communications specialist in the non-profit sector and lived/worked in Zambia, Malawi, India, USA and, for much shorter stints, in Jordan, Beirut, Turkey & the Palestinian Territories. It was fascinating work that really shaped my worldview, though it ended in a pretty severe burnout and a pivot towards writing. That said, I think I've retained an international perspective on the world and am eager to read more about your adventures.
Look forward to reading more 🙌
Thank you for stopping by Clare and for also sharing the places you have called home. I think the International Development sector always gives us these lists of random seemingly unconnected places we have lived in - but - for me anyway - when I look back I see so many odd connections between them all.
I agree with the worldview - Iiving in different places - especially ones which are very different than home - shaped how I see things.
I also unfortuantely relate to the burnouts etc. It is not an easy sector to work in and one of my motivations for writing here was to bring that personal lens together alongside my professional experience. I think combined they tell a different story than my CV. And I think that helps to see the world a bit more how it is.
Absolutely agree, Catriona. Look forward to reading more :)
I love your stories and your map ❤️ I really enjoy reading your articles and chattering with you here- looking forward to doing it more! xx
Thank you Jane! Loving reading your writing too and very glad to be connected in this space! Thank you for being here.
What a great intro! I loved seeing the map of places you've lived. I'm so glad you've worked up the courage to write online. I'm looking forward to getting whisked away on an adventure with you through your stories.
To answer your question, I'm walking a very unconventional path for my family of origin. I left the high-demand religion I was raised in five years ago that my family has been a part of since our pioneer ancestors converted in the 1800s. I followed that with a divorce (of an 18-year marriage). I feel like a pioneer now too but in a different way than I ever imagined. I'm charting my own path completely, and it's been scary but mostly exhilarating. ✨
Thank you for being here Jenn. What a powerful story. Absolutely agree - you do sound like a pioneer cutting your own path in the forest - what a brave choice for your life - but I can imagine how it comes with fear and challenges along the way.
Amazing! Very inspiring
Thank you Reinny. Great to have you here!
What a wonderful introduction! I'm excited for what's to come!
Thank you Stephanie. Welcome - delighted to have you here.
This is a wonderful introduction. It’s so interesting that you’ve traveled all over the world—you must have so much to write about!
Thank you Bethel for passing by this space! Welcome. Yes absolutely - I have lots of stories - now working out the best way to share them and shape them. I would love that they support others in their own journeys.