Hi, I’m Roy! It’s good to meet you and welcome to my website. Welcome to my midlife crisis!
When I meet people for the first time and get asked what I’m about or what I do, I tell them exactly that … “This is my midlife crisis!” It’s partly a joke of course. But as a man in his mid to late thirties not so far from the truth.
A sabbatical. Perhaps is a more accurate description. A man who, over the years, has learned to value time, freedom and experiences over money, possessions and status.
My twenties and early thirties were very dull. And I was sitting in my home office ready to crack. Ready to explode. Absolutely ready for a change. I’d worked hard and saved even harder to create a small safety net. I essentially had nothing to lose. It was time to test myself. To get out of the comfort zone I had dug myself into. To make some new life experiences. To open my eyes. To invest in myself. If only I could be brave enough …
So, after some contemplation (and even more courage building) I did what any normal person does in this scenario. I booked a one-way plane ticket to Australia! Solo. On my own. I had no idea if I would enjoy myself or not. I had no idea whether I’d even survive – never mind actually thrive!
But I knew I had to try. I didn’t want regrets. I wanted at the very least to try. Feeling homesick after two weeks and coming back to the UK wouldn’t be a failure. But an attempt at something new.
Turns out, (spoiler alert!), that travelling is actually simply super fun. But you probably knew that already. Or you wouldn’t be reading a post about travel! I had a blast. And I haven’t looked back since.
So why this? Why now?
Well at this very moment in time – the travelling is on hold. Sometimes global pandemics and family factors just get in the way. And these responsibilities always come first. And they always should come first. I like to live a nomadic lifestyle – but I am also a son. And I am also a brother.
So for now I’m at home in the UK. And in these moments it gives me a chance to reminisce. And a chance to look forward. To relive the memories already made. And dream of making fresh ones. To remember the places already visited. And think of the new ones awaiting to be discovered.
The last six years and visiting over forty countries have taught me so much about the world and so much about myself. Travel is magnificent – it’s rewarding, it’s eye opening, it’s educational (teaching you about the world and the people and cultures within it). Travel develops personal growth and self confidence, encourages curiosity and expands horizons and most of all … it absolutely is inspiring!
I wish I started writing like this years ago. But, the next best time to start is right now!
And I’m looking forward to sharing my story, my thoughts on my travel experiences, my joy for nature and landscape photography, some tips and advice on the places I have been, tales to tell looking back, plans to make moving forward and much more.
So if some of that sounds interesting to you, why not stick around a while! Let’s be friends. Because friendships and interactions make the world a brighter place! Many more blog posts and Instagram posts coming your way!
Roy
@travelisinspiring