Sorry I Checked Out..

“All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality – the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape.” – Walter Bagehot

Sometimes it’s important necessary to live in the moment. To tune out of digital control and obsession and look at the world which is around us. Put down the camera, the GoPro, the laptop and the notebook. Just be in the moment, live in the moment and trust your memory – the original photo album – to store the most incredible and beautiful moments.

Yes I am a travel blogger, but the stories I write about and so fondly and passionately involve you in was never happening at the same time as my laptop was running.

It was my intention to blog as I went before I left the UK, I thought I would have plenty of time as I travelled, I would make time before bed or in the mornings or on long journeys etc. But the time never came.

Yes, I could have excused myself from an awesome bonfire on the beach, stories from our local guides, bbq’s and drinking games to sit in my room on my own and tell the rest of the world how much of a good time I’m having. But in all honesty, I didn’t want to pull myself away from the time of my life to say I was having a good time when in fact I would have had a better time if I wasn’t at the computer.

I can say this confidently now with a great hindsight view but throughout my travels I experienced massive bouts of guilt that I hadn’t updated my blog, instagram, Facebook etc. The panic that followers would leave, all my hard work would be for nothing and the 7 weeks I significantly reduced my internet time – if I used it at all – would severely damage me.

Instead I found the opposite.

In the last 7 weeks I have travelled through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and ended up in New Zealand, the other side of the world to where I started – or as my friend pointed out, the furthest possible city I could run to – and I have a list of stories I can’t wait to tell you all about. I have some incredible memories and some unforgettable stories, which I never would have had if I had hidden behind a computer screen.

While I have been travelling I have found the time to organise some awesome partnerships with people and brands I love. I have been featured and complimented even though my latest post is a month old. I have found my writing style again and I’m coming back with a fresh head full of stories and tips for you all.

Most importantly, I treated myself to some really incredible ‘me time’.
I disconnected from the digital world, switched off and really opened my eyes and senses to the world around me. I took pictures of things I loved or sometimes just sat and took the video through my eyes and stored it away secretly just for me to see.

What my travels have taught me so far?
It is so easy to disconnect from experiencing real life. People tell you that travelling gives you a sense of freedom; I only truly found this freedom when the laptop, the camera, the phone etc weren’t present. To be completely digitally disconnected was the most incredible freedom. I didn’t have to share every beautiful moment, complain about every difficult situation or ‘google’ the next destination. I could get lost, soak in beautiful moments alone or with others and breathe through difficult situations which really aren’t that bad.
So, I challenge you to switch off for a while. Be it a few hours, a day, a week if you can. Watch how much more of the surroundings you take in, how your senses come alive and you’ll notice beautiful things or appreciate moments you never did before. That is the true freedom I got from travelling.

“There are a lot more stories out there waiting for you to live them”