Australia
One more reason why travelling changes your life.
I had an “ah-ha moment” a few years back when I was in Bali for one of Eoin Finn’s YES (Yoga Ecology Surf) retreats.
It was the final day of the retreat and I was getting dressed for our last dinner together in one of the bigger houses. I’d already packed up my backpack in preparation to move on to beautiful inland Ubud for the next week or so and I realised just how little I had with me and just how little I actually needed.
Fast forward to November 2013 when I was packing up my bags and getting rid of all my possessions. It was absolutely liberating. I don’t want to waste money on trivial things like more handbags, ornaments, clothes, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics or perfumes. When you really think about it how much do those things actually add to your life? How many hours working did you spend to be able to afford that watch your wearing to make sure you catch your train on time? Now I’m not saying I’ve gone all minimalist and have gotten rid of all my material possessions because I haven’t. I just realised that some of the best things in life are not all that expensive and I’d rather spend my money on a grand adventure than a grand gown that will sit in my closet until I find somewhere to wear it. I’d rather work hard at what I love doing then spend each day commuting in to a job that I don’t enjoy just so I can afford the Claude Maus jacket I’ve been lusting after.
Less is almost always more,
Jessica xx
p.s. I always love to hear from you guys, so please leave a comment below, or tweet with me @jessicaswander
White Sheet Boudoir shot – Peter Coulson
Photographer: Peter Coulson
Model: Jessica Nicole Griffiths – Vicious Models
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Family Christmas Fun
I’m sure others have tried to claim it before but I’m certain that I have the most incredible family in the whole wide world!
We’ve just had our annual Christmas party as we always do in early December. We all head away for the weekend to a location chosen by the family who organise it for that year. This year we stayed in a family caravan park in country victoria on the river. We play volleyball, three legged races, sack races, tug-of-war, tunnel ball… and this year we added beer pong to the list.
What sets this ridiculous mob apart from the rest is the fact that we’re all such incredible friends. Regardless of age or interests we are all friends and have so much love for each other. I couldn’t think of a better group of people to spend my last night in Australia with.
The morning after the party we had a big hangover cure breakfast and then it was time for me to leave for the airport. I feel so so blessed.
Q&A – two weeks left in Melbourne.
Only two weeks left now until I leave and It feels a little but odd. It doesn’t really seem real or different at all. It doesn’t seem like a big deal or like I’m actually doing anything special and that’s what feels odd. I’ve been catching up with heaps of friends and family and everyone asks me the same questions “are you excited?” “What are your plans?” “How long are you going for” and it makes me question myself quite a bit.
I mean firstly it doesn’t seem real yet. I’ve not been to England before so I don’t know what to expect so I’m trying not to really have any expectations. I’m open to everything and not connected to any particular outcome. This adventure for me is just time to myself away from my life in Melbourne to work out what it is that I truly love doing and what I want to do. I feel like my life should really be about something and I want to use it wisely to help people, to love people and just enjoy it really and I know my current actions aren’t really bringing me to that outcome as much as I’d like them to. So I guess it’s a bit of a starting point to get to know myself better as who I truly am as opposed to who I think I am based on events and people and things I’ve just fallen in to.
As far as making plans and how long I’ll be there for… I just don’t know. I’ll be there as long as I’m enjoying myself and as long as I feel I want to be. It might be 3 months it might be a few years who knows. I just want to be free, to be happy and to make other people’s lives a little bit better.
I’ll work it out.
Jessica x
One Night Stand – Keeping Sleep off the streets
Link Posted on Updated on
One Night stand is a profit for purpose sleepwear company. Every time you purchase some super rad sleepwear the profits go straight into projects to help out those who are sleeping rough.
Oh how I wish there were more people in the world like founder of One Night Stand Jamie Green.
I was lucky enough to sit down with him recently for a coffee and a chat about business, life and everything else. What stood out for me was his genuine caring nature and his dedication to making a change in the world.
Everything about One Night Stand is just wonderful. With a huge focus on sustainability and social consciousness every detail seems to be thought of. Everything is made in Australia, they use organic fabrics and even bank with community banks.
Please help support the incredible things they are doing by clicking the link below and voting for One Night Stand in the Bank of Melbourne “the Local project” it only takes a few seconds and you’ll be doing your little bit to help change the world.
Dream sweet,
Jess.
VOTE FOR ONE NIGHT STAND HERE
https://www.facebook.com/BankofMelbourne?sk=app_569581529775133&app_data
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
http://www.onenightstandsleepwear.com/
Jessica's Wanderlust 