To find order amidst chaos, first we need a blank canvas. A clear space to work, to let all thoughts, judgements and fear fall away. Create your own mind palace, an environment that supports growth and intuitiveness; learn to trust this calm, non- judgemental place in your mind, retreat there for guidance. The only one who knows the way is you; learning to read the map is the first hurdle and indeed, challenge. When you find your way there once, you will always know the path and the work can truly begin; to find what you are looking for. In this vast world of boundless wonder and opportunity, there surely lies an answer to most questions. Or at least some ideas. Tap into the energy; find it.
I found these worlds scribbled in a cute little notebook with a bear wearing a backpack on the front and "never stop exploring" printed above it. It was a secret Santa gift from my old boss in Cornwall and quite perfectly chosen. I hoped to have many adventures to fill it with but there's only a few doodles from Thailand and a couple of notes from Australia; somehow adventure has bypassed us both and we are lying forgotten, gathering dust and watching life from afar. I may as well also be in a drawer for all the living i'm currently doing. It's quite depressing to look back and find yourself more lost, more stuck and in need of guidance than before. Yet here i am. Stuck with a capital S. Honestly, I have no idea how to get unstuck because i talk myself out of every idea, convince myself that i'm an idiot and cant do anything and find myself in a frenzied state and panic and distress and still, I go nowhere. Then i panic some more and hate everything about myself and it all gets even worse. The month ends again and the passing time slips between my fingers, as fragile and infinite as grains of sand. I'll never get that time back, it's gone forever, merging with the millions of days that together create a vast expanse of desert; the past. Some people are energised by panic, some are paralysed. I know which one i am. I could really do with that mind palace i wrote about a few years ago; currently i only have a panic palace which is frankly useless and no fun at all. I love to write, i love it so much but apart from this space, i cant do it. I get so scared of being told that i'm not good enough, which i already inherently believe, that i'm too scared to even try. I hate that i'm like this. I cant find any safe space anywhere, danger in the form of guilt and judgement, regret and panic lies around each corner, lurking in the shadows, dwelling deep in my own mind. Always ready with the evidence and proof of my failures. Daring me to challenge it with an evil smirk and a forked tongue. I only really know how to write what's in my mind, my own experiences are right there waiting to be etched in words. At least i cant tell my own stories wrong? Hopefully. I have nothing much else to say, the days keep coming and i fill them somehow. This is not the life i want, but that doesn't mean i don't have a lot to be thankful for. Life is weird, I am weird; still, we move forward hoping to be better and to do better. Exactly like the wise and wonderful Maya Angelou wrote: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." The bluebells and cacti are totally irrelevant, but nature is pretty so they will always be important.
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Travellers, on the whole, are environmentally conscious; exploring beautiful places naturally makes them want to preserve them and tread as lightly as possible. As a traveller, you can make ethical choices that minimise the negative impact on the planet, simply by being mindful and informed. By choosing the most responsible options on everything from where you stay, to how you get around and also, what you eat. Global veganism is growing in popularity and, as it’s often regarded as the most ethical way to live, for the animals, the planet and our own health, it makes sense that the number of vegan travellers is also growing all the time. Trying new cuisines and tasting local delicacies is without a doubt a huge and very important part of any trip; one that no one wants to give up. Being vegan does not mean you have to miss out! With a little bit of planning and research, you can still feast on exotic delights, try new flavours and explore the local cuisine. Ethical credentials aside, vegan travel can actually be a really interesting experience and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Read on for a few helpful tips. Here's 5 top tips for vegan travel 1. Do some research. Before visiting any new destination, you will likely be doing some research anyway so it's a good idea to look into possible vegan food options too. Happycow is a great website and app for finding vegan-friendly restaurants and health food stores. These places can be lifesavers, but it's worth knowing whether they are locally owned- ethical travel focuses on supporting local businesses and products made locally too. Eating only imported Western-style foods means that you miss out on regional specialities, so do your research to avoid disappointment. Savvy locals are catching on to the demand for vegan options so don't be surprised to find vegan options in unlikely places! Even seemingly meat-centric regions like Latin America have many naturally plant-based options including rice and beans, patacones (fried plantains) and of course- the mighty avocado. Don't be scared to ask questions, its all part of the travel adventure. 2. Be prepared. Packing some of your favourite snacks from home or a few condiments can make the world of difference. Also bring along a reusable container, they come in handy for carrying cut fruit or leftovers that can make a second meal. Add a reusable straw and wooden utensils to your travel toolkit and you are ready to go! Try to learn how to explain your dietary needs in the local language, simply knowing how to say vegetarian, no meat, no eggs and no dairy should hopefully clear up the confusion. Packing some multivitamins could also be a good idea, especially if you are visiting somewhere you know you will struggle to maintain a balanced diet. 3. Be honest. Talk to people about your views and why you don't eat animal products. Some people won't really get it and that's okay, but open up the dialogue anyway and use it as an opportunity to share your views and perhaps, introduce someone to a whole new idea. Many countries have certain times of year when they abstain from eating animal products, such as during a fast, so they will understand the concept but might not be familiar with the term vegan. It's becoming more common all the time though (the UK has seen a 40% increase in veganism in 2020 alone) so you may be surprised. Sometimes, if you just ask at a stall about their ingredients, they might actually be naturally vegan meaning you get to try something new and support a local business at the same time. 4. Hit the markets! You will always find fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, spices and tasty snacks, plus its a fun and free activity. Markets are a great opportunity to try exotic produce that doesn't often make it onto menus; the kind of foods that locals actually cook and eat at home. They will find it very funny that you want to buy the cheap local veggies! All over South East Asia you can buy huge slabs of tempeh and tofu for insanely cheap prices- sometimes 10 times less than you would pay at home. Many vendors sell plant-based food without really knowing it e.g coconut milk ice cream, samosas, empanadas, roti, smoothies and roasted nuts. Be ready with your own containers to avoid unnecessary plastic, pack your camera, ask questions and follow your nose!
5. Get cooking! After visiting the market for local vegetables and fresh spices, cook up a storm with the exciting produce you picked up. Cooking for yourself allows you the freedom to experiment with new ingredients and make food to your taste, plus you know for sure that it will be vegan. Many hostels and guesthouses have kitchen facilities that you can take full advantage of, all you really need is a sharp-ish knife and a pot. Even the most primitive surroundings can foster a quick and tasty meal and maybe save you a little money too. Ask at the markets how to cook anything you're unsure about and thoroughly wash your vegetables if you intend to eat them raw, just to be safe. Bonus tip-Relax! Remember that veganism is still very new to many countries, try not to get too disheartened by a lack of choice. The western world spoils us completely and travelling is all about getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things and having experiences you don't normally have. If you can't find houmous or chocolate or whatever you usually love to eat, it will be waiting for you at home. Be in the moment and make the best of what you have. Being vegan isn't about being perfect, it's about doing your best to tread as lightly as possible on the earth. Try to relax and don't beat yourself up if you later realise that something you ate wasn't totally vegan, we can all only do our best. Things get lost in translation, mistakes are made and sometimes, the food is just really bad. It's all part of travelling; embrace it! |
LittlebirdJenna. Free spirit, flower enthusiast, seeker of truths. Archives
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