Hi hi,

To be honest with you, the rise of AI and our information being used to help it learn is making me feel a big withdrawal from social media and sharing online.
I am feeling more reluctant and careful about what I share, not wanting to get too personal and load the AI machine with ammunition that might come back around to affect my privacy later.

In saying that, writing is a creative outlet and a way I can get dopamine without just consuming nonsensical media. A dilemma indeed!

Life is always taking twists and turns and I am always trying to stay one step ahead and figure out what’s going on. The last few months have shown me I am actually not in control and I need to chill out and let it happen, but also what I do want to happen is probably still going to happen I just need the delays to get my affairs in order.

This year already feels so random and disorganized:

• Originally I was going to Northern Rivers for spiritual recalibration before heading north to the boat
• FNQ weather has been super crazy (I lived in FNQ for 6 years and haven’t seen this level of water, rain and cyclones)
• I intended to get a super casual job and save for a few months but accidentally got really good work for great people
• Cost of living increases are making non-essential locational movement more difficult

So, factors not in my control have guided me to stay put in the Northern Rivers. The thing is, although I have work here and I am getting to know the area and the (small, tight-knit!) community, it doesn’t feel intentional. At all.

I have been housesitting (a godsend), to give me stability with work and also get my animal fix! But I am so lazy when I’m in a house. Oh, I have to walk out the door and drive to the beach? I’m not just already there?

I find myself getting bored of being in the same places, doing the same things and I’ve realized it’s because I don’t have my things around me. If I got a room somewhere and had my records and my crystals – my creature comforts, I could be happy in this place because it would be intentional. But I feel a bit loopy because while my van is my comfort/my space, it’s purpose is to be on the move.

The fuel price hike really put me off exploring – I have 3 days off each week, plenty of time to go 400kms up or down the road and see a new place, but a return trip would mean I save nothing that week. My current mission is to find little towns around the area I can explore – dopamine! – and also planning a trip to go see my man and have a sailing holiday.

---

This time frame is giving ‘covid lockdown’, a forced time to slow down.

I started noticing bad habits around social media scrolling and generally wasting time, so I’m actively trying to use this time to reestablish my spiritual connection and connection to self. I lost my connection while I was on the move all the time, but this is ample opportunity to slow right down and see what feels right.

This is an area I can see myself coming back to for sure, I just don’t feel like it’s the time for me to be settled yet. I have a new perspective on travelling – I would rather save a certain amount of money, enabling me to live on the road and get off the beaten track for a few months rather than have to stop in a city and work.

For now, my plan is to keep on keeping on – keep saving, then head up north for a month or two chasing waterfalls and hot springs. I’ll take it easy back down the East Coast and catch the ferry back to Tassie for the summer.