Present Snapshot

On the verge of change, yet held in place.

Right now, I’m about two months away from leaving Australia and beginning a bikepacking journey through New Zealand from north to south. After more than a year exploring this continent—converting a van, meeting countless people, and immersing myself in new experiences—I can feel the pull toward what comes next. But at this exact moment, I find myself strangely still.

I’m housesitting with pets to care for, my ankle is giving me trouble, and I’m trying to pick up some extra work to bolster my savings before I move on. It’s not the grand, go-go-go scenario I might have pictured, yet there’s a quiet value in these slower days. The pause has given me time to reflect on the notes in my journal and to consider what I’ve learned so far: how I’ve grown more confident, how I’ve come to understand what resonates and what doesn’t, and how each experience—big or small—shapes the person I’m becoming.

It’s a strange tension: feeling on the verge of a whole new chapter, yet held in place by circumstances. Still, I’m learning to appreciate this balance. Soon enough, I’ll be out on the road, pushing pedals through unfamiliar landscapes. For now, I’m here, building my resources, letting my ankle heal, and sitting quietly with the lessons of the past year. When I finally set off, I know I’ll be that much more ready—mind, heart, and spirit—for whatever the road ahead has in store.