25 Years of Living & Loving
A whole 365 days have passed since my last birthday (27th April), when I woke up with my gorgeous bestie Georgie in my arms and spent a lovely day eating cake and drinking pints. With each year around the sun, I like to take some time to think about what has happened over the last 12 months - beautiful moments, big or small, as well as lessons learnt that will either impact my life or I haven’t thought about since.
I’ve spent a good chunk of this year away from where I would usually consider to be home. Since the beginning of November, I’ve spent time travelling around the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bali and, for now, have settled on the incredible island of Siargao. Home to peeling waves, fresh coconuts and endless papayas, my heart and breath are both very happy to be turning 25 here (despite lockdown and not currently being able to surf these waves.)
With all this movement has come a huge array of lessons, which I’ll probably touch on in more travel-specific detail in another blog post. Simple things like bringing a travel coffee mug, always having a spoon in your backpack, not planning too far in advance, the fact that you should probably go to the doctor after three weeks of feeling ill. You know, normal backpacker stuff. But there have also been so many beautiful lessons amidst the chaos of arriving in a new destination every day; a smile goes so far with local people, and saying ‘thank you’ in their language often means you’ll receive a smile back, too. Taking the time to put down your phone and properly interact with your house hosts, fellow travellers and talking with the locals can result in making the happiest of memories and sparking the most interesting conversations.
Something I’m so appreciative of has been making time to take beautiful photographs that I’ll look back on in a few weeks and say ‘Oh my, can you believe this was five whole weeks ago!?’ Deeper lessons have included following my gut, listening to my body and being aware of where my comfort levels lie. ‘Are you truly happy to stay for an extra week in a certain location?’ This year alone, I’ve definitely learned the impact that your surroundings can have on your body, whether it be the food available to you, the quality of life you’re living there, or if you’re simply needing a break from the constant upheaval of backpacking.
Corona has brought about a whole host of new lessons - the art of letting go, moving with the flow, slowing down and accepting that no one knows the outcome or timings of this. The importance of making an effort to keep in touch with friends and family, reaching out to old acquaintances and, ultimately, how useful technology and social media can be in our modern lives. It has reminded me about the things I actually like to spend my time doing: guzzling a great book, looking at the clock and seeing that two hours have passed since I sat down to read. Cooking up the most simple, delicious meals and experimenting with even simpler, satisfying new recipes. Getting outside and feeling the sharp stones against the soles of my feet; salt water drenching my scalp, a cool breeze in the heat of the scorching sun.
As a result of all this travel, it seems like the beginning of my year of 24 was a lifetime ago, spending a wonderful six months in the little bubble of Jersey. I was lucky enough to make some awesome new friends, spent every night at the beach with a beer or bbq, was able to write for a full-time job and made the most of the indoor-outdoor life that the island offers. I found a few struggles along the way: breaking my elbow whilst skateboarding at the height of summer was less than ideal, and my beautiful nan passing away was so sad for my whole family.
However, I feel that these moments taught me an even bigger lesson than I knew at the time (and although for some it might seem that a broken elbow is the least of anyone’s worries, it was a pretty big deal for me!) It showed the importance of being independent and making things work even at the toughest of times - and when it doesn’t work, you have to find a way around it. Later in the summer, I felt so lucky to be able to fly home and be with my family on four separate occasions - time which I haven’t spent enjoying their company in the past few years. I was able to spend real time with my UK friends instead of a fleeting visit, enjoying the rolling English hills and sitting in the garden with my parents’ dog, cuddling my nieces as they shout ‘Aunty PeePee!’ every 2 minutes. The beautiful moments that I’ll never forget.
And of course, amidst all this activity - flying home on the reg and having a plan to get loose every weekend throughout the summer - came love. Fab came into my life in a whirl of rum and coke, and has pretty much stayed in that whirl (just kidding - we had our first drink in six weeks the other day!) He has showed me that full, deep, honest communication really does exist, and to every low point there are a million high points to be found. He’s also encouraged me to tick a few things off my bucket list: surf bigger waves, drive a moped, cycling around Vietnam, scuba diving even when I panic at just the thought(!)
I’ve also learnt a lot about appreciating my body, my health, feeding it the good stuff and paying attention to when I want to move or rest. I’m so proud to have completed my YTT this year too, which I would never have believed as I set myself that goal as a less-than-confident 23 year old; who knew I could ever learn so much about my mind, body and soul in such a short time. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to put into words how overall life-changing the training was for me, and do it any justice - but maybe one day I’ll give it a try.
Anyway, I’m sure there are very many more lessons that I learnt this year - even down to the fact that sometimes, some of the greatest people you encounter aren’t a permanent part of your life, and that’s okay - but for now, I won’t go on. I’m super appreciative of every moment of the last 12 months and can’t wait to embark on my next year around the sun at the ripe old age of 25. Thank you to everyone for the last year, whether we spent an hour together or many many months. It’s been the best.
What’s the greatest thing you’ve learnt so far this year?
Big love x
