Personal Reflection on My Time in Tasmania

I feel like I am bursting at the seams. Returning home, it is as though I have so much to say, that I may never be able to say it all. My recent trip to Tasmania was such a rewarding experience full of personal reflection and so many positive affirmations. During the last few weeks on the road I had such a generous amount of time to reflect on, and process my thoughts. I feel like I had an almost out of body experience while I was off adventuring. The people, the places and the experiences were all so much larger than life.

Before I try to break down all of the different aspects of this trip,  I thought I would just write from the heart and reflect on what a life changing experience this trip to Tasmania has been for me. I am looking back now with the memories raw and recent. On reflection I can confidently say that this trip was exactly what I needed and when I needed it.

Finding Clarity

I won’t go into too much detail now about my recent struggles, as I have a separate post on it’s way soon about my personal growth journey. For this post, I need to note that only a few months ago I was in a very dark and hopeless place. Now, several months down the track and a refreshing trip to Tasmania later, I feel as though I am on top of the world. I know exactly who I am, what I want from life and how to achieve it. On reflection, I can say that there are three very clear reasons why this trip was so beneficial and rewarding for me.

Having this level of clarity is something I have not really experienced before. Aside from the revelations I experienced on a smaller scale during a solo hike in Patagonia, this feeling is all new for me. I am in awe of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. I have made astounding progress by prioritising my health and wellbeing, putting mindfulness into practise and making a conscious effort to live a purposeful and positive life. It wasn’t the easiest process, but it sure has paid off.

1. Disconnecting

Living in the Moment

The first and perhaps most obvious reason for my resounding sense of satisfaction following this trip is that I was able to disconnect from social media and technology while in Tasmania. It is very rare for me to find myself in a position where I don’t have my phone in my hand or my laptop on the ready. And aside from travelling in remote areas, I almost never find myself out of reception entirely. Tasmania did exactly this. With very little reception and a growing urge to embrace the disconnect, I found myself free of the chains of modern day life. Not having that constant access to the internet, emails and social media while in Tasmania has left me feeling more grounded, less anxious and more positive than I have felt in a very long time.

Having the space in your mind to actually process your experiences, thoughts and emotions is so vital to mental health and well being. I think most people are aware that a total disconnection is a great idea. Actually disconnecting in such an all encompassing way really showed me the truth behind it. Not having my phone on me constantly while in conversation with people, or while having a meal with someone also allowed me to be in the moment and be a lot more attentive. I felt a much greater connection with the people I was engaging with and the places I was experiencing by not having that distraction there.

Setting Goals

Taking more regular breaks from technology and that constant virtual connection is definitely something I need to make a more regular part of my life. Even if it is just for greater portions of my day, I need to enforce it on myself. I also want to make a conscious effort to not bring my phone to the table during dinner, coffee or catch ups with friends. You can always call that person back, the messages and notifications will still be there later, and I’m sure the work email can wait too. The person you are engaging with in that moment deserves your attention the most.

Finding the Desire to Live Again

It wasn’t until this trip that I realised how difficult it is to achieve a positive and level state of mind when you are constantly plugged into data, information, and the virtual version of people. Switching off and just living in the moment allowed me to realise all of the reasons why I love life. It also allowed me to appreciate the fact that I do actually want to be alive.

This is not something that I am often consciously aware of or appreciate to the fullest extent. When the desire to be alive was actually removed from my life earlier this year, I honestly never thought I would find it again. Gaining it back has been life changing for me, both metaphorically and literally. I will go into a lot more detail about this in my next post about my personal growth journey. What I need to say right now though, is that this trip was definitely the final push I needed to get myself back on the right track.

2. Experiences and Influences

Sharing Moments with an Important Person in My Life

The second reason why I believe this trip was so beneficial for me is that I was able to have this experience with my mum. We have had so many incredible moments, conversations and adventures on this trip and we were able to share in them together. She is one of the most important people in my life. She inspires me every day in all that she overcomes and achieves. Being able to escape the pressures and stresses of everyday life with my mum and to see her relax, shine and just enjoy life was such a beautiful experience that I will cherish forever.

Travelling solo for almost six months of this year, I was lucky to meet such a broad range of incredible and inspiring people. It was a unique experience that I absolutely loved. But I also longed to share some of those experiences with my loved ones and close friends who were back home. I have been so blessed to be able to go on so many adventures with my mum since returning back to Australia this year.

It has really shown me that you need to make sure you prioritise the important people in your life, no matter how busy life gets. I highly recommend sharing as many moments as you can with the people who matter most to you. But also ensure you are still meeting and making new friends along the way while you set off on grand solo adventures. Find a balance.

Inspirational Strength and Happiness

My mum has always been such an inspiration to me. When I reflect on our time together in Tasmania it is clear that she is one of the main role models in my life. No matter what obstacle my mum is faced with, she is still able to be such a positive and happy influence on herself and everyone that she comes in contact with. Having this adventure with her has let those aspects of her personality seep into the cracks of my heart and soul. I have returned home feeling like a better, and more well-rounded person.

Watching how she is so honest about her mental health and physical struggles also encourages me to stay true to myself and my purpose with this blog to tell both sides of the story. The successes and the struggles. We are all going through so many different battles in life. Appreciating what we have all gone through to get to the epic and happy moments in life is such a wonderful aspect of being human.

3. The Outdoors, Hiking, and Inspirational People

Finding my Heart and Soul in the Outdoors

The third reason for this feeling of pure ecstasy, which I have known for some time but clearly needed reminding of, is that being in the outdoors and surrounded by nature and like-minded people is what I need perhaps most in my life. It is so clear to me now that being engulfed in the stunning natural environments of this planet, expending energy for such a purposeful and rewarding reason, and being surrounded by the right people, is what my heart and soul yearns for the most. It is not just travel or new experiences that sets my soul on fire. These specific experiences in the outdoors are what I need most in life.

The outdoors are full of awe inspiring natural landscapes, genuinely incredible people, and endless challenges which allow you to push yourself both physically and mentally in ways you would rarely experience in everyday life. Gratitude, appreciation and positivity flow through me when I am out there hiking my way across the wilderness. These are aspects of my health and well being that I have always struggled with. Finding this outdoor world that enables me to achieve this has been absolutely priceless.

Respite on the Trail

I have never felt more at ease or comfortable in my own skin than I do when I am out on the trails with my boots and backpack. Hiking and being off the grid in the outdoors really quietens my mind like nothing ever has. I struggle with keeping my mind at bay when I am not on the trail. At home, being able to focus solely on one aspect of my life without being overcome with self-doubt, anxiety and stress is very difficult for me. The trail gives me respite from these overwhelming thoughts and pressures. It allows me time to find myself and my purpose. The stress of everyday life just melts away as I focus on the sounds, smells, views, people and moments.

During my personal reflection, I realised that I need to continue pursuing my passion for the outdoors and hiking at all costs. If you find something in life that can free you from stress and anxiety then you need to prioritise it. Make it a cornerstone of your existence. Don’t let life get in the way of your happiness and serenity.

The People Make the Difference

The people I encounter time and time again on the trails also contribute to why I am now so addicted to the outdoors. They leave me feeling like there is such a profound reason for being alive. The kind of people that set off on these crazy outdoor adventures are truly inspiring, positive and adventurous people. They always leave me feeling full of happiness, and content with life.

Their passion, drive and pure love of life and the outdoors is also very contagious. As Buzz Aldrin said in his book, No Dream Is Too High, “the people with whom you repeatedly choose to associate will have an enormous impact on you, either positively or negatively.” I wholeheartedly agree with this. Walking away from a hike I always feel motivated, positive and excited about life. I believe that is greatly influenced by the people I meet on the trail. Find these kinds of people in your life and hold onto them. Seek them out and make them an important part of your life.

Personal Reflection

The Struggles Are Real But Not Impossible

I have had great difficulty over the years realising what aspects of life provide me with the most satisfaction. I have always felt so lost and without purpose. That was the basic reason behind starting this blog; to explore what it means to be alive and to find a reason for being here. I knew I needed to soak up more life changing moments. I needed to learn how to properly experience what this world has to offer.

In the past I have been totally consumed by thoughts, fears, pressure and stress. I frequently had no idea why I was even here or how I could ever possibly be content or happy. The work I have done in the last couple of months, and over the last few years, on my mental and physical health has almost completely obliterated all of the dark and terrifying areas of my mind. Spending more time focusing on bettering myself has opened so many doors for me in both a mental and tangible way.

Hard Work Pays Off

The place I am in now is really quite astounding to me. I feel so proud of how far I have come. Everything I experienced during our 18 days in Tasmania was exactly what I needed. There were still tough moments, days with doubt and anxiety, and even stress. But the way I reacted to these obstacles was so different to how I handled it months ago. That was the difference. It wasn’t just that I was having endlessly amazing experiences or that I was living the dream. Both of these were true, on most parts. It was that I felt positive, centred and empowered in both the incredible and the difficult moments. I honestly feel like I have hit this turning point in my life now where everything is starting to feel as it should. I hope this shows that you can too!

--Girl Seeking Purpose