Project Me… Update!
Bali, Indonesia
To date, my most popular post has been Project Me where I outline my decision to take a break from corporate and live a more meaningful and purpose-driven life filled with travel. Well, after many requests for an update - here you are!
For this to make sense, I suggest you first read the aforementioned post Project Me. This break is indefinite, but after 4 months, I have no plan to go back anytime soon. So again, an update is in order!
Immediately after writing that post, I decided to sub-let my apartment in Hong Kong and went on a 4 month voyage with a suitcase and a backpack!
My journey started with a trip home to Toronto, Canada for a month. After living aboard in Hong Kong for 3 years, I was craving familiarity, family, and old friends. So, my first month was spent at home and was filled with so much love and laughter.
After being home for a month, I decided I needed to re-centre and ground myself. There was no better place to do that than in Bali. I spent the month of June there where I explored different towns, focused on me, my health, and my business. I had been traveling to Bali for years - it is without fail, My Happy Place. So it only made sense to start my summer of travel there.
Tirta Empul, Bali
I then spent 2 months in Europe! Which were, without a doubt, some of the best months of my life. I'll be posting details of Europe this week, but it was definitely one of those summers to remember! I'll never forget this experience! I firmly believe everyone, at some point in their life, should take a solo voyage and spend a few months exploring a new region - with no limitations, rules, or plans in place. The memories created will forever stay with me!
Oia Santorini, Greece
And now, here I am, after 4 months on the road, carefully planning out my next steps.
I've decided my new home will be Bali. I sold everything in Hong Kong, gave up my place, and decided to continue the journey onwards. Bali is my happy place for many many reasons. It’s a place I am most grounded, most fulfilled, healthiest, and most inspired. In Bali, I am surrounded by like-minded individuals who just want to live life to the fullest. We create, we dream, and we are all connected with a love for travel. Everyone I’ve met during my 6 previous visits to Bali have helped to form my decision today. I’m ready to call this place home.
I'm now in Bali and in the process of settling. By next week, I hope to have a home, gym, workspace, and yoga studio set up. Then, I will focus on me – mind/body/spirit. I plan to repair the damage done in Europe health-wise (no regrets LOL). Through intense workouts, healthy eating (80% plant based), daily meditation and yoga, I plan to come back with a vengeance!
Once I feel grounded, I will focus on developing myself and building a community. I want to learn and explore new things, I want to develop mentally and spiritually. I want to finally get to this bucket list I've been sitting on! I also plan to build my business and brand, service more clients, and just enjoy being still for a while. 4 months on the road was exhilarating, but exhausting. My body is craving stillness.
Why Bali?
Well, first and foremost, I’m an island girl at heart. I have Jamaican blood, so being in a warm climate, by the water, with a 'carefree' island mentality is where I feel most home.
A more practical reason - it really makes sense for where I am in life. Bali is where I can get the best bang for my buck - at quality value. I estimate I can live a high-quality life in Bali, and remain relatively safe, all for under 1500 USD per month. This includes a nice villa, healthy organic plant based food, transportation, gym/yoga memberships, a cleaning lady (daily), weekly massages, and most importantly – DOPE people.
However, Bali doesn't come without it's cost. Island life also means extreme frustration (at times) to get the most simple things done. And of course there's the hardest part, being even further away from home. But for me, at this point in my life, the sacrifice is absolutely worth it.
Also, Bali won’t be the same in the coming years – it’s already starting to lose its charm. Tourism will take over eventually and it won't be the same. So now is my time! I’ve always wanted this, so I’m basically living out my dreams/desires.
How long will I go for?
Well, I’ve learned to not plan beyond 3 months. So much can change and I’m getting comfortable with not knowing. I’m fairly certain I’ll be here long term - especially since the leases are 1 year in length... but who knows! Life can definitely send curveballs and I'm always open to change.
So please continue to keep me in your prayers! I sound brave, but this leap of faith still comes with nerves and uncertainty! Good news is, I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Thank You for continuing to follow my journey :)
Xo