This week’s post is going to look a little different.  I’m going to be playing around with some different posting structures, and rather than diving into all the little details of each day, I want to touch on the key highlights, while diving deeper into overarching themes, stories and/or reflections that come up – in hopes that they can serve as pieces that resonate with you a little more deeply.

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It’s been such a beautifully confusing, emotional, loving, and connected week.  As I move out of another period of travelling on my own to now finally being in the area where I’m able to meet up with and spend time with friends I’ve met over the past 9 months, I find myself going back and forth between what it is I’m really wanting and needing during my time here in Australia.

It’s been interesting travelling “solo” in Australia.  While I came here on my own, and am driving from place to place, meeting new people and reconnecting with “old,” I don’t feel I’ve ever been truly solo… and I think that’s the beauty of being a “solo traveller.”  You move through situations and experiences with no prior connections, and come out with people who make a lasting impression – some who you just know will forever be a part of your life, while others meant just to last a season or a moment. 

What makes it confusing is you sometimes find yourself wondering if you should be planting roots somewhere to build a community that is consistently around you.  One that is reliant and can be physically present whenever you need them to be; something that offers you that sense of stability.  But then there’s the other part of you that doesn’t want to sit still.  The part that has so much it wants to experience and explore, and knows it’s not done finding its way.   The part that is intrinsically curious and adventurous, and isn’t ready to be tied to one place. 

It’s a weird feeling to have – being pulled in two completely different ways of life.  Each serving different purposes and opportunities for growth.  One where community is more conventional and physically present, while the other has community, but in a more dynamic and fluid sense of the word… one where community is found more internally and loved from a far.

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I’ve been finding myself reflecting on this a lot the past week and a half, after spending so much of my time with people who have come to mean a lot to me. 

Last weekend I got to meet up with Rebecca (a friend from the Sea Shepherd campaign, and huge mentor with photography/videography during that experience) in her current home town in Bundaberg – where her and her partner welcomed me into their beautiful home with their jungle of pets (2 dogs and 3 orange kitties!).  Having me for dinner, showing me around town, visiting the turtle centre, going for a coffee date, and spending some time at the beaches.

Getting to spend time with Nath again, who was also in Bundaberg for another job.  I got to join the Milbi Festival he was working at as a second shooter, which was an absolutely incredible time!  Getting to photograph concerts/events used to be such a huge dream of mine when I was younger and first getting into photography – but it was never something I thought I’d ever get to do.  So I feel a lot of gratitude to have such a dear friend so connected and involved in this community/industry, and is able to show me the ropes and bring me along.  

I also got to reconnect with my “trail parents” – Soph and Pete – from the Larapinta Trail!  Which was such an absolute delight getting to spend a few days with them, as well as meet some of their kids (and their CUTEST dog, Kali).  Spending time at the Eumundi markets, going for dinners by the river + sunset on the mountain, some art therapy, chats + swims at the beach.

And now I’ve officially made it to Brisbane, where Nath and his roommate have opened up their home for me to stay for the next few weeks until I head to Woodford to volunteer for the Woodford Folk Festival next month!  It feels strange to know I don’t have to be on the move again for a little bit, and don’t have to wonder where I’ll be sleeping, or how far I need to drive, or making sure I’m not burning through petrol so quickly.  I can stay a bit stationary and focus my time on some personal projects, build more connections, and begin to make some decisions on how my second year in Australia will start to look.

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It’s crazy to think that the time has almost come for me to apply for a second visa already…  when I first came to Australia, I really didn’t think I’d fall in love with this country as much as I have – nor did I think I’d feel so uncertain as to what the trajectory of my life would become.  But it’s exciting.  Knowing that the possibilities are endless, and I’ve only just barely scratched the surface.   Life can feel incredibly overwhelming and confusing at times – and while I’ve come to learn I struggle a lot with needing to have control over everything, it’s the process of learning to let that go which is allowing me to become so open to the opportunities and experiences that are coming up.  It’s scary… but so exciting, and the reason why I sign off each post the way that I do – because it’s the passion and curiosity I’ve cultivated towards life that has ultimately made it such a beautiful one, in spite of the trauma and pain that has come with it.  It’s this shift in mindset that allows me to remind myself that even when difficult, upsetting, or traumatic things happen, life can still be beautiful.  It won’t always be in every moment, but in the end it can be, when we are able to allow it to be.

And in saying that… I hope you are able to find peace and comfort during the moments of discomfort, uncertainty, heaviness, and pain that finds its way into your lives at times, or seasons…

Stay passionate and curious.

Hunter💛