Lifestyle

Will the luv for Wanderlust ever die?

Digital Marketing, Lifestyle

Anyone else slightly over the endless perfect pastel pink and blue hued travel shots closely chased by the “follow me” photo phenomenon and inspiring quotes making us feel so motivated for all of 5 seconds. That is until our limited attention span is distracted by a cute cat sitting in a sink or funny kid dancing? Wanderlust has taken over Instagram, Facebook and any other image based social platforms. Lets travel the earth, sing Kumbaya and tell everyone about our amazing spiritual existence. Are our everyday lives so bad that we exist to live vicariously through the eyes of the multitudes of travel and lifestyle bloggers who take a thousand shots, retouch for hours and present us with this unrealistic image of life? Just maybe…

Wanderlust has risen with the wave of social media fixation. Its interesting to see this unrealistic way of life is slowly slowly being pushed aside as our interest peaks in the “behind the scenes” reality of these images. The side by side before and afters, the flexed and unflexed, the “situation outside” the Insta crop. People are over competing with these crazy cool lifestyles in the face of something more real and close to their reality…

I like beautiful things and love to travel so my interest will still be peaked by Wanderlust and the masses of content out there. I do however so much enjoy being let into the secret of what’s  “just outside the crop”! Continue to share the realities people, we love it!

Simple Healthy Lifestyle

Lifestyle

It’s not that hard to lead a healthy lifestyle…or is it? OK so almost everything gets in the way of trying to stay healthy. Friends, social life, kids, work, lack of time! The list goes on and YES there is always and excuse! ALWAYS. So how does one navigate the crazy lifestyle we all lead and make the first steps to becoming “healthy”. Well my personal mantra has always been to keep it simple. If your shopping list includes activated almonds from the ancient city of Babylon or berries with weird names you cant pronounce and your Pinned recipes have a thousand ingredients only to be found at Whole Foods. Well then forget it, you will feel defeated before you even start. So how do you keep it simple when it comes to health? Check out my 10 top tips below:

  1. Make a weekly meal plan using basic easy to source ingredients
  2. Aim for a weekly grocery shop
  3. Limit alcohol to 2x per week or in my case 3 (who am I kidding?)
  4. Don’t deprive yourself of a daily treat…yes I said “daily” but keep portion control in mind. Only buy treats in portion controlled sizes or packs.
  5. Catch up with friends for a walk or hike in place of a meal
  6. Stand while talking on the phone
  7. Avoid sitting for long periods of time
  8. Don’t let friends pressure you into unhealthy habits
  9. Set achievable goals
  10. Don’t weigh yourself often, the fit of your clothes will be proof enough!

Aussie In Seattle

Lifestyle

I live in a country I wasn’t born in and I didn’t grow up in. Essentially I’m an Expat of sorts. I’m not alone in my reality, many people have had the opportunity to live either temporarily or permanently in another country. I’m lucky that my move was for advancement for my family and myself and not for reasons of necessity or displacement.  Moving half way across the world from Sydney to Seattle has been an amazing journey. Yes the weather is somewhat different as people are always quick to point out but It’s by no means unbearable. The air is fresh, the people are super friendly and kind hearted. The forests are amazing and the idea of having 4 distinct seasons where everything changes so dramatically is so foreign to anything I know.

So what don’t people tell you when you leave your home.

  • New friends are amazing and you have no choice but to make them quickly, but nothing makes up for the heartbreak you feel when your best friends are a million miles away.
  • Your culture is yours and like no other, its tempting to make comparisons and judgements about your new home. Don’t be that person! There will never be anywhere as amazing as your home but comparing constantly will only make you sad and push away those who call your new country home. Accept the differences and focus on those that are enjoyable and new.
  • Family will still be there for you no matter what so will the guilt of leaving them, that never diminishes…SORRY!
  • The Taxation system is confusing and pretty much sux in every country, get a good accountant if you wish to survive without going crazy.
  • Consider weather you really want the big house with the guest bedroom, you will get visitors, do you really want them staying for weeks on end?
  • You will never be the same again after living in another country, your mind will broaden and you will view your home country in a whole new light.