Tyler's Trouvailles

When people talk about travel, it often comes wrapped in the glossy image of endless sunsets and bucket-list adventures. But in reality, travel is far more than snapping instagram-worthy moments. It’s an opportunity that bring healing, push us out of our comfort zones and offer valuable insights into who we are— if we let it. As a teacher, I’d say the world is the greatest classroom you’ll ever have and boy is it phenomenal. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge that it’s not always easy. Travel doesn’t fix everything; it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to life’s challenges nor should it be seen only as escapism. But what it can offer is perspective and the being far from home leads to inevitable personal growth that changes how you view the world and your place in it.

Self-doubt and imposter syndrome—their voices echo in your mind like an annoying, relentless song that you can’t get out of your head. We’ve all heard them at one point or another: the whispering voices of people who claim to know better, the internal critic who insists that you’re not enough or the nagging sensation that you’re a fraud. These feelings are more common than most of us realise, yet they can be some of the most paralysing obstacles we face on our journey toward achieving our goals.

We have all been there – standing amidst the rubble of something we thought was unshakable, only to watch it collapse unexpectedly and beyond our control. Whether it’s a relationship breaking down, a career falling apart or losing your sense of direction, setbacks are inevitable- some unbearably more painful and shocking than others. But let’s be honest: rebuilding is hard.

In a world that thrives on hustle and bustle, the concept of wellbeing often takes a backseat as it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that those who promote wellbeing are immune to life’s challenges or untouched by the darker aspects of life. The person who always has a smile on their face and advocates for self-care seems to have everything figured out. Wrong. Behind the smiles and the optimism lies a deeper truth – the struggle to deal with the battles that are often invisible to the eye in-hand with a mindset of acceptance and willingness to deal with the processes of life experiences and the emotions of which they stir. If you find yourself among the “anti-wellbeing” crowd, those who view it as vague, irrelevant or even as a mere form of escapism or selfish procrastination, it’s time to delve into the real essence of this journey – one that involves facing our vulnerabilities, trauma and needs, to lead to both healing and empowerment.

Self-love- the phrase that undoubtedly makes us all cringe inside, if even just a little. You may ask, what even is self-love? Love ourselves… it sounds so simple?! Self-love is the foundation of self-care, it is the intentional prioritisation of our happiness and state of wellbeing. There is no denying that genuine self-love is the key to acceptance, gratitude and success. It enables us to nurture and respect our growth, no one else’s, ours. But why is it so hard to do? In a world where we are supposedly brought up to care for and give love to others, yet often we don’t know what that looks like for ourselves. Arguably, self-love is one of the hardest, most rewarding challenges in life.

Self-love is a powerful and transformative notion that undoubtedly carries a host of stigma and cliche, yet it is fundamental in our personal wellbeing and growth. Self-love involves cultivating a positive and nurturing relationship rooted in a deep sense of appreciation, acceptance and compassion with ourselves. It thrives in the intentional practice of recognising and valuing our own worth, individuality and strengths, as well as our flaws, mistakes and weaknesses.

We see the words ‘Pandemic’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘Lockdown’ and try to forget about a time of such chaos, discomfort and tragedy. We all want to put it inside that box in our minds that we hope we never have to confront again. In some ways it seems like a distant memory, yet not one of us were able to escape. That’s the thing in life, no matter how positive, successful, wealthy or even healthy you are, some things will just affect us all. They affect humanity. Arguably, we were all privy to some who deemed themselves invincible, untouchable, superior to the rules throughout those years, but let’s not dwell on that- with arrogance and selfishness comes karma. That stuff is the real deal.

One of the beautiful things about life is that we are all different, more so than we could ever really imagine. Naturally, when we consider ‘difference’ we fall into a societal default of comparing our appearance, nationality, culture, achievements and so on- the recipe to appreciating diversity and inclusivity. We soon forget that every single moment in our lives shapes who we are and defines our perception of everything.

The term ‘self-care’ holds a realm of stereotypes, expectations and questions that interrogate its reality, purpose and benefits. The important thing to remember is that self-care is unique and defined by you. It is about recognising your physical, mental and emotional needs and establishing boundaries that accept and appreciate your worth.