Silver Linings

Wow – what a crazy few months it’s been. It feels like the world has been turned completely upside down. People getting sick, people losing jobs, no longer feeling free to leave our homes or to hug friends and family.

Everyone has been impacted in their own ways by this virus and I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to respond. But for me it has definitely forced me into action on some things that I probably would have held back from under normal circumstances. And so for that small blessing, I am choosing to be grateful.

Mid-December last year, I boarded a plane for the first time in 10 months to make my way home. After 18 months travelling, it’s fair to say that I had mixed feelings after finally booking the ticket. Of course I was excited to see friends and family again, but I was also sad for this part of my journey to be over. And perhaps a little worried that my plans to travel again might be thwarted or that I would somehow get caught up in the “normality” of home life and I would forget all I had learned on my way. If only I knew what was in store!!

Of course as the time drew closer and I began thinking about Christmas with family and friends, excitement overtook every other emotion. And I was stoked when I finally set foot on Australian soil again. Looking back at it now, I am doubly grateful I was able to freely hug all those people that mean so much to me. That I was able to sing and dance and be merry, blissfully unaware of the changes that were to come.

Fast forward a few months and WTF happened??!

For my fellow Australians it’s been a hectic rollercoaster.. I came home to bushfires raging across the entire country that devastated over 18.5 million hectares and close to 2000 homes; and killed 34 people and an estimated 500 million natives animals. Then came the floods in January. And now the Corona Virus – the global pandemic affecting every single person on the planet. Every day there are more deaths and even as we settle into this strange lockdown, nobody knows what will happen next. In fact the only real certainty is that nothing will ever be quite the same.

People are dying, businesses are shutting down, jobs are being lost all over the place and there are real fears around how long this will last and what the new “normal” will look like on the other side. The wide-reaching impacts of this thing are so incredibly vast, it constantly blows my mind..it doesn’t feel real honestly. For me though, this whole experience has certainly been thought-provoking. I’ve never felt more grateful for the things that I DO have and the love and support around me, even if it’s through the telephone.. And it does seem like I am not alone there. People all over seem to be appreciating the things they took for granted previously.. and for that small blessing I am also grateful. I hope that this might be one thing that will not change after this is all over.

It has also given me pause to crystallise some ideas that have been bouncing around in my mind for a while. And honestly it’s given me the push I needed to actually make them a reality…

Why?

Well, it is clearly not a great time for a returning traveller to find work. Classic timing for me lol. But since I was looking to shift a little in my career anyway, this period of time provides a unique opportunity to really try something new of my own…why not right?! If I assume I have potentially a 6 month window (let’s hope it’s not more!!) where jobs will be scarce and we’ll be locked inside..then what better time than now to build a business from my laptop?! Crazy? Perhaps..I guess we’ll see..but you never know if you never try 😉

So, to keep myself accountable, I’ve decided to put it out there and share my plans with you here. Universe – if you’re listening – I’m all in!!

What will this business be, you ask?

Simple..it will be all about everybody living their best lives.
With 3 key components:
1.LIVE: Health, nutrition, wellness and yoga to help you live your life with vitality.
2.LOVE: Social enterprise to support those working hard in tricky places to help others, in order that they have a chance to live their best lives too.
3.TRAVEL: Travel and volunteering – information and opportunities.. Because once this pandemic is over and we are free to move around again, this undoubtedly contributes to my definition of living my best life.

So there you have it.. These are indeed crazy times, but hiding in the silver linings there are some opportunities as well. So watch this space – exciting things are coming. I hope that you all keep safe and well and sane through all of this, and thank you for coming on this journey with me.
Kate xx