Can we talk about intentional living, personal responsibility, and shifting mindsets?
The phrase “Conscious creator or victim of fate?” has popped up in my world a lot. It feels like a nudge from the Universe, reminding me to be mindful of my thoughts, words, and actions — they’re the building blocks of my reality. Every choice we make shapes the life we’re living. Do we actively create our lives, or do we passively let life happen to us, blaming circumstances or ‘fate’?
I often reflect on my life and how I got to where I am. Whether I’m standing at the top of Machu Picchu, dating a certain type of guy, teaching swimming, or creating a business, one thing remains true: I dreamed all those things into being. I visualised them and then took steps — sometimes bold, sometimes hesitant — to make them real. Even when doubt crept in or life got busy, those dreams simmered in the background, waiting for me to act.
Everything I’ve experienced, whether I labelled it as good or bad at the time, started as a thought. And yes, sometimes I feel stuck or notice myself in a lull, but I also know the importance of simply being. Life isn’t just about endless goals; it’s about celebrating the creations along the way.
But then there are those electric moments — the ones where I decide, with all my being, that I’m heading in a certain direction. I remember working in a map shop, telling anyone who’d listen that I was going to backpack around the world without a timeline. Next thing I knew, I was doing it.
And then there was the time I dated a beautiful guy who ticked every box I thought I wanted. He was everything I’d dreamed up and asked the Universe for. But here’s the thing: my dreams were shallow then, and so the relationship, while lovely, wasn’t meant to last forever. It taught me a valuable lesson — dream deeper, dream truer.
When I was living in Turkey, I had a one-way ticket to Brazil, hoping to salvage a relationship with an ex. But even then, I knew I didn’t want to return to my old life in Australia. I’d grown too much to step backwards. So, I started dreaming of something new — teaching swimming. Swimming had grounded me during my travels, and it felt like a good place to start.
I returned to Australia, and work flowed effortlessly. One thing led to another, and I found myself on a path to a new career and a teaching degree. Yet, all the while, I held onto this vision of a van with a longboard on the roof, travelling the country, surfing, and living free.
I started kite surfing, joined a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) group, and made some beautiful friends along the way. While studying, I kept dreaming of having a staffy, and — of course — one appeared. During one of my many procrastination scrolls, I found her. I didn’t have the money to adopt her, but a friend offered to help, and then, as if by magic, the government sent out low-income earners a grant for the exact amount I needed. Enter Pokes, the brindle staffy who became the love of my life.
She was the perfect adventure buddy — camping, hiking, paddling on the SUP when she was little, and running alongside me on the beach as she got older. She was my heart.
When she passed away suddenly, it shattered me. But it also created space for the next chapter. My mum’s friend wanted to sell his old yellow van, which had been gathering dust in a shed. Before I knew it, I had my van. I painted it, grabbed some friends to help build a bed and storage, and began taking trips. It wasn’t perfect — there were kites under the bed and SUPs on the roof. It was still missing the surfboard.
Post-COVID, my rent skyrocketed, and I took it as a sign to fully embrace van life. Everything flowed — house-sits lined up perfectly, and I met a couple who introduced me to guiding jobs. And just like that, I found myself guiding around Australia, living in my van, and finally buying the longboard I’d dreamed of.
Last year, I even found myself living in Jericoacoara, Brazil — a place with the long, dreamy waves I’d always envisioned and the time and space to ride them. My surfing improved, and with it, my belief in the power of dreaming.
We really do create what we dream of, so it’s important to dream wisely. Don’t focus on what’s wrong in the world or fill your mind with negativity. If you believe the world is out to get you, you’ll find evidence to prove it. But if you start to see beauty, possibility, and abundance, your life will shift to reflect that.
I’ve worked with so many people who tell me, “I’m always sick,” or, “I always get motion sickness.” And guess what? They do. But what if they changed their story? What if they stopped reinforcing those beliefs and replaced them with new ones? What comes first, the thought or the event?
It’s not about fluffy positive affirmations. It’s about believing — truly believing — that change is possible. Your thoughts and words are powerful. They create your reality. So, be intentional. Be responsible. Dream with purpose and live with intention.
Because life will always ask: Are you the conscious creator of your story or a victim of fate?
