In the beginning of my traveling days, I never thought I would turn into a full fledge solo traveler and take the term ‘the world is your oyster’ to such great lengths that it became my lifestyle.
Tag: calgary blogger
I Tried Six Forma Facial Treatments And Here Are My Results
Touted as a ‘non-invasive’ facelift, the Forma Facial is a favourite of many A-list celebrities. It uses radio-frequency to target deep in the layers of the skin to improve skin elasticity and help build collagen. Recently, I received 6 forma facials in Calgary, Alberta at Rejuve Your Body which is in Kensington. Rejuve is exactly as the name, the most amazing place to rejuve your whole body. Continue reading I Tried Six Forma Facial Treatments And Here Are My Results
Beating Anxiety, Inflammation And Insomnia With The Best CBD Oil
CBD oil is a hot topic right now. As is anxiety, inflammation, and insomnia. With so many brands popping up in the market, it’s difficult to find a quality one that we can feel confident investing our money in and that gives us the results we are looking for. Continue reading Beating Anxiety, Inflammation And Insomnia With The Best CBD Oil
Waterton National Park – A Southern Alberta Gem
The windiest place in Canada. That is what Waterton National Park is known as being. Having clocked winds of up to 170km an hour. It is also known for its mind-blowing beauty. Prior to this trip, I had no idea of either of those things. How on earth did I not know?! Surely I have been living under a rock. Continue reading Waterton National Park – A Southern Alberta Gem
The Enchanting Bridal Veil Falls In British Columbia
Strolling through what feels to be an enchanted forest full of mystical creatures and possibly little fairies flying around. That is the exact feel you will get when exploring the woodsy area around Bridal Veil Falls in British Columbia. Continue reading The Enchanting Bridal Veil Falls In British Columbia
Forever Young – The Art Of Getting Better With Age
Here I sit at 35 years young, and if I have learned one thing about ageing in my time being alive, it’s absolutely that ageing is an art just like a fine wine. We can choose to embrace it or we can resist it. Although I will say, the path of least resistance is far more rewarding. Continue reading Forever Young – The Art Of Getting Better With Age
Spring At Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
Emerald Lake, in Yoho National Park, is a classic beauty. Discovered accidentally over 100 years ago by a famous European mountain guide named Tom Wilson, while he was searching for his horses who went astray.
It is a destination that will never cease to impress you with its natural splendours. With spring having arrived, things are beginning to melt and seemingly come to life again. It is always amazing to watch the transformation of nature every year. Especially if you make sure to always take the time to stop and appreciate it all.
In the summer Emerald lake is so magical, with the sun glistening over the aquamarine water, creating a vibrant iridescent colour that can drop your jaw and ignite your soul.
The snow and ice-covered lake and mountain peaks, of winter and spring, are equally as picturesque as they come and also known to be some of the most impressive in the Rocky Mountains. With the lakes claim to fame being the stunning emerald colour of the water, one might think that it would be quiet during the off-season months.
However, that is not the case what so ever. As you stroll the paths, taking in the sunshine and spectacular views, there are plenty of other nature enthusiasts paying a visit to this unforgettable spot all throughout the various seasons.
On this fine spring day, the birds were chirping, and the flies were buzzing around. Two clear indications that summer is on its way. As opposed to what mother nature is making people think when winter seems to be lingering well into spring. Don’t you worry, I am certain, summer is right around the corner.
I do love all of the seasons, I think the only thing that gets a bit hard is the lingering when seasons are supposed to change.
The Emerald Lake Lodge which is situated right beside the lake is actually open all year round, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the area during every season. In the winter it is known for its cross-country skiing, and in the summer for its canoeing and hiking.
Let me just say, the thought of a nice cabin style room, with a warm fire blazing in the corner on a chilly spring night, truly seems so appealing.
Emerald Lake is a breathtaking place, with endless beauty to be appreciated, rain, shine or snow. An absolute must see if you find yourself in the area on a beautiful spring day.
5 tips to simplify your life, live minimally, and feel free
Freedom feels so good. In fact, for myself, it is one of the best feelings in the world. One of the best ways to create more freedom in your life so to simplify your life, and live minimally.
Having and creating more space in your life means you will have more space for new and amazing things to come in. Such as more travel, flexibility to enjoy a little more spontaneity, more money, and peace of mind in general.
Over the years I have downsized more and more. It seems every time I would leave the country to go travelling, I would come home only to downsize even more. Bit by bit my materials became less and less.
Although it is not just about minimizing your materials, it is also about clearing the space in your mind. It all goes hand in hand. But, by simplifying your life and all the various facets of it, you will free up your whole space, and welcome so much more awesome energy into your life.
By taking actions steps everyday to free up your life, it becomes easier and you naturally become in alignment within yourself. When you are in alignment, life won’t just give you lemons, it will give you the whole lemonade stand and a helper.
Here are 5 tips that have been tried, tested and proven true in my life to simplify and create so much more freedom.
- Reduce Clutter – I feel like this is self-explanatory, however, it can be so easy to let things build up, and before you know, there is just stuff all around you. I find that not only does meaningless stuff create stagnant energy in our lives, but it also blocks our creative flow. Anything that is just lying around and taking up space, can go. Unless something it has sentimental value, it is not necessary to keep around. Out the door, it goes for me.
- Think Before You Buy – ‘Do I really need this, or do I simply want it?!’ That is the question I so often hear myself saying. We have all done it, seen something shiny and pretty, and decided right on the spot that we had to have it, only to get it and have it accumulate dust. Never to be used, and only to be a space taker. When I come across something I like, that I wasn’t in the market to get, I always have a good think about it first. The majority of the time, I will leave and go think about it for a day or more. If a few days pass and I am still thinking about it, then I will go back and get it, and if it was still there waiting for me, it was meant to be, and if it is gone, then it wasn’t meant to be in my life. That helps keep the clutter down in my life.
- Choose Experiences Over Stuff – less stuff means more adventure. I don’t know about you, but I live for adventure and awesome experiences. It is so much more enriching then mass amounts of material stuff. My experiences that I have had around the globe are priceless, and if having less stuff means more of that, then I am in it for the long haul. Plus the less money you spend on stuff the more money you can spend on travel and adventure.
- Make A List And Be A Doer – accomplishing things just feels so satisfying. No matter where I am, I love being a doer. When you make a list, it helps you visualize exactly what you want to achieve, and will be a sure way for you not to forget everything, it also pushes you to be a doer. You get things done and don’t let things pile up in life. When you let things pile up, it wears a person down, as you are always in a stress state of having way too much to do. Placing those check marks beside the things you finished, feels so good.
- Forgive And Release – emotional clutter is a thing. When we hold on to negative feelings or resentment, it holds us back and stops the flow in our life. A lot of time it’s about forgiving ourselves over others. It is so easy to be hard on ourselves, blaming ourselves for our hardships, putting ourselves down for not being as far along in our pursuits as we would like. Also, when we feel others have wronged us, and purposely did negative things towards us, it is all too easy to point fingers and hang onto anger and resentment towards them. The reality is, these feeling are truly only hurting ourselves. By forgiving and releasing the situation, whether it is towards yourself or someone else, and doing it sincerely and from your heart, you open a massive space for amazing energy to flow into your life. That doesn’t mean you need to keep anyone in your life that is holding you down, but you can still forgive and let it go. Total freedom is what lies on the other side of holding on.
When you create space in your life for more freedom, whether that is time freedom, mental freedom, emotional freedom, financial freedom, and so on – whatever it is that freedom is to you, you open up your energy space to many more wonders of life. When you are not bogged down by clutter in all it’s various forms, you then are standing up tall and reeling in the highest and most fulfilling life you can imagine.
For me, I love having the freedom to pack up at the drop of a hat and go explore the world. I love having the freedom to go and help people when they are in need, and I love to have the mental freedom to enjoy life to the fullest.
Freedom, feels amazing.
Top 5 Travel Memorabilia I Found While Doing A Deep Winter Cleaning Of My Life
Here I am doing a complete overhaul in my life. Cleaning it out, making space for new energy, getting rid of the clutter – when I suddenly started coming across some hidden gems. I think that is a given when you are cleaning out old clutter, you will always find some treasures tucked away.
Some more exciting than others, and in this instance I was pretty excited to find these items. It gave me a chance to reminisce with some of the best times of my life. When I was doing some of the most incredible adventures.
Here are the top 5 things I found on my cleaning adventures in my house.
1– My finds began with my very first travel back pack. I remember searching and searching for the perfect back pack for me. At that time, it was my first trip leaving Canada, so I wasn’t so knowledgeable about the qualities I personally needed in a good backpack. However, after trying on at least 30, I finally decided on this one.
This exact back pack ended up coming with me across Central and South America, over to Europe, and then straight across Africa, from South Africa to Egypt. It was my mobile home for many years, and a few different continents. There were times I hated it, like when I had to hike mountains with it, or walk very long distances, and the straps would start to dig hard into my shoulders, or the times it wouldn’t fit all of my stuff inside. All in all though, I loved it. We always made it in the end. We were a travel team. We went everywhere together.
2 – My next find was my first Spanish lesson book.
Looking a bit tattered now, it also did some long treks through Central and South America with me. It all began after I completed my first volunteer project in Central America, and the organization I was with offered me a position as a Group Leader.
There were some requirements though, and one of those requirements was for me to speak Spanish. I was determined to be a Group Leader, so I assured them I would learn Spanish. I spent hours looking at every kit the book store had to offer, trying my utmost to find the perfect kit for me. Finally I chose the kit which included this book.
3 – My first MP3 player, which I had transferred all the CD’s from the language kit on as I was off back to a English speaking project in South America. Three months later, practicing day in and day out in my hammock in the Jungle, I could speak Spanish.
Yes at this time MP3 players were all the rage. Now they seem to be ancient history. I used this MP3 player to the full extent, although now it seems strange how limited my music collection was back then with only this little bad boy to fill. Think about how many times I replayed those same songs on there. Over, and over and over…… Well you get the pic.
Once I started traveling I didn’t stop. Flash forward 12 years later, and this is the first time since then I have spent over a full year in Canada since I began, and now I am getting more eager then ever to get back out there. My travel bug is gnawing, and there ain’t no putting him back to sleep.
That aside, it became very important to me to try and learn as many bits of languages as I could, especially when I arrive to a new country with a new language. As long as I could at least say hello, please, and thank you to begin with. I always felt it was only proper manners and culturally appropriate to show the effort to speak a small portion of the local language. People always treat you better for it and totally show their appreciation for your effort.
4/5 – So these two pieces of paper from various language lessons brought a big smile to my face.
This one was from when I was living in Africa and learning Swahili with some of the local women in Tanzania.
I had such a blast meeting with the local women everyday, exchanging cultures and languages. African women can be very shy and reserved, but I would never failed to have them all cracking up and laughing, completely coming out of their shells. I love watching people open up.
This other piece was from when I met and ended up traveling with a couple Israeli’s for a stint of time.
As they were always speaking Hebrew together, I figured I should hop on the band wagon and try and join in. I felt like part of the posse when I could throw a few words in. Even though my pronunciation could be quite entertaining at times.
Oh look they even taught me how to tell someone they are sexy. Clearly, A must know in every language.
What can I say?! You never know when you will come across a fine specimen that you need to compliment. Best to be prepared for all situations.
I absolutely love learning new languages, it is one of my favorite past times. I just wish I had a piece of paper from all the lessons I have ever gotten. Alas, these two do a great job of bringing me back. Can you say Scrap book?? I have a collection of things that I intend on scrap booking soon.
How awesome is it to find memorabilia?! The energy attached to these pieces that have traveled the globe with me is pretty amazing. I feel like it would make it difficult for me part with them. Perhaps I should keep them in case I ever open a museum. Or I will just keep them so I can reminisce again sometime.
Heck yes to stumbling across some of your favorite memorabilia that you have never really lost yet somehow once again found?
A Pursuit of Life - Barefoot& High Heeled 