On October 17, 2018, I left everything behind. My family, my friends, my belongings. All I owned fitted in my carry-on backpack, but my heart was so heavy. Inspired by Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, I challenge myself to find happiness in 180 days as I journeyed back to my True Self.
This adventure took me from Iceland to the UK, to France, Switzerland, Croatia, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and back to Australia. That’s for the physical part of my body.
Emotionally and spiritually, I have travelled deeper than I could’ve ever imagined. I faced my fears, fell more than once, rose again and again, grew stronger in the process and finally found joy. Pure happiness.
Connecting with humans along the way made it extra special. As I opened up to share my story and listen to theirs, I realised how similar we all are. The experience we’re having on Earth is so precious. It’s nothing short of a miracle, yet we struggle to be grateful for everyday. To find contentment. We get stuck in the rat race, society’s expectations and the pressure from our family and friends (or the expectations we think they are putting on us).
So many of us (myself included) live on auto-pilot. We do the same things over and over without questioning why or thinking about the impact it has on our lives. We’re deeply unhappy but we struggle to find why. On paper, we seem to have it all: a job, a car, a house, a relationship. Yet, we want more. The good news is: there is more!
Awakening from this fast-paced world is brutal. Like waking up from a bad dream. Realising that things can be different. You don’t have to put all that stress on your shoulders. There are other ways. So many opportunities out there, if you are willing to risk it and think outside the box.
And that’s what this platform is all about. Sharing my journey to a more holistic lifestyle. Learning to live with less. Being more mindful of my choices: what I eat, who I spend time with, what habits I cultivate.
I won’t lie. The transition is messy and it’s hard work. Deprogramming most of what you’ve learned takes time. But when you give yourself the right environment to find your own truth & shine your light – that’s where the magic happens. That’s when you finally reach Full Bloom.
In short, the #happiness180 project comes to an end and happily makes room for something bolder, bigger, brighter. Let the journey begin!
