Staying Creative while Traveling

One of the hardest things for me when I originally started toying with the idea of a nomad's lifestyle was the idea of where the heck I would put all my crafting supplies. Seriously, I basically had a slightly smaller version of Michael's packed into my bedroom and studio at my old place. I still dream about how glorious it was. I make everything out of everything, plastic bags get saved for plarn, newspapers are saved for paper mache, plastic bottles have infinite uses, dumpster diving or picking up stuff left on curbs has been a part of my life since childhood... My sewing and embroidery machine is second only to my laptop in what I would carry out in a fire.

Naturally, being on the road presents some challenges to my lifestyle of semi-hoarding or ultra upcycling as I prefer to term it. Namely, where the heck do I store all my tools.

Unfortunately the answer is I do not.

But thankfully, I have learned a few things that help indulge my inner urge to craft.

1) If I'm in one spot for a few months and I really need something that isn't crazy expensive (like jewelry findings), and I can't find it at a reasonable price locally, ebay is always the answer.

2) You can craft with almost anything if you try hard enough. Basket weaving with wood, spinning with locally available fiber. Not having access to your local craft shop can be immensely good for your creative juices as they need to flow extra hard.

3) Find something you love that is transportable. If you scrapbook, try smashbooking. If you sew, try hand embroidery (so fun). Write everything you can anywhere you can. Make your hobby work for you, instead of you working for your hobby.

4) Digital design work can be almost as satisfying. Obviously I have this blog, and while I do have mountains of work to get done as far as design and layout, it's something to play with. Recently, me and one of my Winnipeg friends also decided to launch an online t-shirt company (shameless self promotion) filled with wonderfully nerdy t-shirts available in limited time prints. No clue how successful it'll end up but it's another outlet (and another income source that enables me to be location independent).

Do you consider yourself crafty? What kind of art do you make while traveling? Let me know!

Cheers,

Day 55: Dance Parties and Bucket Lists

Today marks my 55th day living and working at Huelo Lookout. Where the heck has all the time gone? Seriously, I am convinced I got here last week. Last night we had a party celebrating the 15th year of this property being operational, and I felt the same sentiments from everyone who has been around significantly longer than me.

Why yes that is me hula hooping on the dance floor mid party.

I cannot believe that in 31 days I will be getting on a plane, headed through Vancouver, and then settling back in Winnipeg for the remainder of April, then running off to Victoria, BC for at least 2 months, but quite possibly the rest of summer. Life has been such a glorious whirlwind lately, I'm feeling so peaceful and spiritually found while running around with pretty limited direction other than keep moving and make sure there's wifi.

This is for the 8 billion tourists every day that ask me where to find a waterfall.

I have yet to make it all the way to Hana, but depending on weather that may just been an attempt for tomorrow. I still need to hike the Bamboo Forest and explore Twin Falls more.

What's on your free Maui hotspot list? Any activity suggestions? Let me know in the comments!

Cheers,

Do Whatever the Hell You Want to

So I guess this comes in the form of a half motivational post - half rant.

Literally at least once a week, if not more frequently, someone tells me that they "wish they could travel as long as I do" or that they are "so jealous" of my life. These people are usually 20-somethings like myself, often are not in school, and are working in minimum wage jobs that they hate while living at home with their parents.

I'm going to drop a truth bomb on you right now.

You can do whatever you want.

I know, people will immediately say that you can't just fly to pluto, or levitate objects with your mind, or burn your ex boyfriend's house to the ground (okay well that's more of a you really should not do than a can't).

If you want to travel, you are completely capable of making that happen.

If you want to be a writer, start writing things and submitting them everywhere, blog, self publish.

If you want to make crafts or art for a living, start an etsy and learn everything you can about photography and self promotion.

We live in a world with not only vast libraries of knowledge, but the wonder of the internet which makes mountains of information available to us FOR FREE.

If you aren't willing to put in the time to chase your dreams, you are never going to be living them.

#endrant

Finding Your Mantra

I am a firm believer in having a simple, repeatable phrase which governs all of the decisions made in one's life. I find it to be incredibly grounding and self assuring in those moments when we inevitably find ourselves making more difficult decisions, or facing self doubt.

My mantra for the last few years has been "make pretty things". Corny, I know, but let me expand.

"make pretty things" is a constant reminder that when I'm stressed out, I should probably pick up my yarn, or make some jewelry, or spin some fiber, and release whatever tension I am carrying into something positive and lovely that will either bring me or another person joy.

"make pretty things" is a reminder that all the energy I bring into the universe should be beautiful and positive and bettering to those around me.

"make pretty things" is also a statement that if the world is being gross and terrible and filled with ugliness and cruelty, it is my responsibility to attempt to make it prettier.

See how many things I can pull out of one simple mantra?

Find one that makes sense to you, and say it out loud literally every day when you wake up, every time you are stressed out, and every time you feel like you need a little reminder of what makes you so wonderful and uniquely glorious.

I highly recommend meditating and burning a little sage for clarity while searching for your own mantra, but if you need some suggestions, here's a few to test run:

- " I am enough"

- "I choose love"

- "I create/design my own life"

- "The universe sends me everything I need in any moment"

Do you already have a mantra? Is is ridiculously awesome? Share it in the comments!

Cheers,

March Reading List - What's on my Kobo!

Hey internet friends!

As you may have guess by my affinity for writing, I am a self proclaimed book worm. Always have been, always will be. I was the kid who got in shit for hiding a flashlight under her blankets so she could stay up past her bedtime reading Harry Potter. As an adult, I am comfortable admitting that I have done the exact same thing in an even more spectacular blanket fort, and had to blame myself in the morning when I was exhausted and did not make it to class. Sorry Mom and Dad.

Any who, my questionable life choices and overall nerdiness aside, I've been working on this 100 books a year challenge I set myself on GoodReads (which is proving to indeed be a challenge). I have this crazy notion that posting a monthly reading list may just a) inspire some people to download a book or two and b) maybe hold me a little bit accountable to doing something other than Pinteresting in my free time

MARCH

Already in progress

1)The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
I tackled The Golden Compass in Feb, I want to actually get through the entire trilogy and enjoy the scathing commentary on Catholicism before I get back into a Catholic Studies classroom in the fall.

2) Yes Please by Amy Poehler
So I kept seeing book lists that say every woman should read this book and being about halfway through I completely agree. Amy Poehler is a wonderful writer and goddess and if she ever happens to read this I hope she decides that we would be good friends and that I am a helpless 20-something year old in need of a mentor who I also live with.

Starting soon! For realsies!

1) The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
I will finish this trilogy and I will do it soon.

2) Bossypants by Tina Fey
Another amazing woman who is totally welcome to adopt me should she ever feel the need. Teach me your golden ways.

3) Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
I've been told that finding my tribe is the key to a solid blog, and that seems to stem from this book. I feel like I could have a pretty rad tribe. Matching tshirts will be essential.

4) A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
I read Wild by Cheryll Strayed and it was fucking fantastic. More books about distance hiking and more incentive to plan a quest on the Trans Canada Trail, though bikes are my preference for speed factor (sorry Mom and Dad, I know how you feel about this idea).

I think that's enough of a list to not be super overwhelmed by, yet also keep me out of trouble.

What are you reading this month? Tell me in the comments so I can add it to my list!

Cheers,