I’ve always struggled with the questions, “Who are you?” or “Tell me about yourself.” Maybe it’s because I don’t have a one-word answer, and my stories could stretch on forever. But here’s a try:
I’m a lover of photos and words, an avid moment collector, and a seeker of change. I’m passionate about becoming the best version of myself — every single day. I absolutely love doing things most people wouldn’t dream of, even if they’re not that wild by most standards.
I’ve learned to love myself and my own company because I’m the only one guaranteed to be with me every single day until I die. I honour my breath for the same reason.
My current hobbies include surfing, swimming, and yoga. I’m currently working as a tour guide and living in my van in the Australian tropics. It was the perfect move to get me out of teaching and paying rent in a place I didn’t want to live in anymore. I’ve taught swimming, martial arts, kite surfing, yoga, and meditation. I’ve worked with people from all backgrounds and abilities and absolutely love to travel. Honestly, this list could go on, but it feels a bit superficial.
I have a knack for getting stuck in places and with people, though never for too long. I’m equally good at getting unstuck and moving forward when it’s time. I’m the “Jill of all trades, master of none” woman. I can do a lot of things a little bit well, but nothing exceptionally well — and I’m okay with that.
As a child, I was terrified of diving into water and hated when my feet couldn’t touch the ocean floor. As an adult, I’ve learned to surf, kite surf, scuba dive, and free dive. I’ve swum with whales, played hide and seek with octopuses, and done rolly-pollies with Australian sea lions.
The things that scare me have a strange pull. I refuse to be controlled by fear, so I face it head-on (which sometimes takes a bit of time and courage, I am only human!) I’ve noticed that helping others conquer their fears also helps me. If a child is scared of spiders, I’ll move the spider outside, even if I’m shaking inside. I won’t be the person who feeds someone else’s fear. Somehow, I manage to hold myself together in moments of absolute madness — reinforcing my belief that fear doesn’t get to rule me.
I don’t preach anything I haven’t experienced myself, and I share stories from my own perspective. I respect that others see the world differently, and I’ll listen to them with an open heart and mind — even when they seem bat-shit crazy! I’m not judging; let’s be honest, we all think someone out there is a bit nuts, and that’s ok!
I’ve faced demons and situations I shouldn’t have had to. Yet, I’ve come out the other side stronger and still open to trusting people. I’ve worked through disempowering beliefs and stories I clung to for years. Now, I can share those stories from a place of both power and vulnerability. My past doesn’t define me; I’ve learned to rewrite the narrative.
I’ve come to realise the world is a mirror, reflecting the areas I need to work on. Sometimes I repeat patterns, but I’ve also learned to change outcomes. I can be a slow learner, but I don’t give up — and, in the end, it’s always worth it.