This is me a few months ago in China, traveling with twins like a boss! Babe in one arm, bouncing the pram with my knee and sipping a cocktail in downtown Guangzhou.
Excuses
When I quit my soul sucking dull office job, and sold everything I owned to travel around Australia in a camper van people said to me:
“If only I was younger”
“I would love to do something like that”
"Oh to not have kids"
"One day"
When I started my design business and later opened a shop, selling handcrafted wares using recycled materials, I heard the same story. A wishful desire to escape the grind and do something adventurous, but a whole raft of excuses would always follow; mortgage, family, I am not creative enough, maybe when the kids leave home or I pay off my debt.
There is nothing special about me and my circumstances. I do not have substantial savings, I had no prior experience to running my own business and certainly in my wildest dreams never thought I would have twins. Life can throw you surprises. What I have learnt is that it is not always the big decisions and life changes that determine if you reach your dreams or not. It is simply the power of daily small action. The accumulative power of all the little things in life.
Driven by the power of daily action
My life wasn't always so full of life. I used to be one of those people full of excuses, wistfully looking at others traveling the world and working for themselves. I spent years at university working towards a career I ultimately ended up leaving.
One day I simply woke up and realised that my current circumstances were a consequence of a lifetime of tiny thoughts, actions and attitudes. If you change those thoughts, actions and attitudes you can powerfully alter the direction of your life. We all have so much to be grateful for already.
I used to think that in order for me to be able to quit my job and do something I loved, I just needed a really good idea. A brilliant idea is about 1% of it. Taking action on your idea is what sets you on the path to achieving your goal. Set your vision and align even the smallest of steps with this vision and you will drive your life boldly forward. Control your self doubt, that negative inner voice is a real dream killer.
Next time you find yourself enviously looking at someones life wishing you could do that – stop the excuses and instead find one thing you can do right now that puts you one step closer. Then when you wake up tomorrow - do one more thing and so on. You are the captain of your soul.
Own your dreams like the boss that you are.
Traveling with Twins
I always wanted kids, but from the moment I found out I was pregnant with twins, I was determined not to use my children as an excuse for my own life choices. In fact, I want to instil in my daughters a sense of ownership over their lives, not to just accept the status quo. Earlier in the year, my husband and I took the girls to China, Macau and Hong Kong for a family holiday. Travel with babies is not easy. There is sacrifices and adjustments to make but you can do it and have a blast. They might not remember the trip as they grow up but we sure as heck will. It was hard, very hard at times but totally worth it.
There is no perfect time
When I embarked on camper van living – I could easily have used lack of funds as an excuse. I had enough money to last the first seven weeks. I managed to travel around for 10 months, sewing in a tent and selling at markets.
When I opened my shop, I was six months pregnant with twins. I had to close my shop a week after the grand opening and spend the next two months living in a hospital with no income, coping with premature babies. Life is not always roses with the golden sun of opportunity shining down on me.
In my journey to pursue a more creatively fulfilling life, there have been the most wonderful of times and the loneliest, broke times. I would not change any of it. Every little step shapes my future. Do not wait for all the stars to align. There has never been a more perfect time than now to start living the life you want.
I have lots of dreams and goals still to reach. I have been inspired by some of the posts here on Steemit. I am a huge advocate for being courageous and ambitious. Ordinary people can live extraordinary lives. Reading about other peoples journeys, the struggles and triumphs keeps my passion ignited. It gives hope, inspiration and reminds me in darker times, how beautiful life really is. If you can dream it, you really need to Steemit.
Until next time
x Isabella
Thank you for sharing your story bridgetbunchy, I love your sewing! Do you think there is something about becoming a mum that is also a great motivator to start creating the life that you actually want to live? Some people think that having children creates a barrier to working for yourself but I think with creative women like us it can be opportunity to rethink, reorganise ourselves, and start to pursue what we really want out of life. P.S I love Hong Kong too!
The funny thing is that i know many people who have quit their job because of steemit.
They were good publishers before it, and now steemit is their first source of income, that is incredible! :D
I would have to agree with you about motherhood @opheliafu. Watching your children grow is a great motivator for sure. I also think that working for yourself is ideal for being a mum. I have far more time to spend with my daughters each day. Hong Kong is great. Most of our time was spent in China so I would love to go back to Hong Kong to have a real good poke around. I heard there is actually some op-shops there too (which I love) and I was curious to see what sort of things it would have but lacked the time and it rained so much too which made street walking with a pram tricky. I like to think of my sewing style as a bit of a modern take on patchwork. I am a textile hoarder. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Having a child for me made me realize one thing: I don't want my child to be imprinted with me saying, "I hate my job". I realized that to continue on that path would destroy 2 lives.
I do a bit of sewing (not very good at it) but I have an electric brother machine and 2 old singer machines (more for show than to use). I'm really a painter and digital artist, but occasionally I like to have a go at making fabric flowers or bunting, maybe the odd cushion or curtain.
I don't know about your experiences but a lot of part time work available to mums is either low paid or unsociable hours, so you do start to look for alternatives and that's when you become an entrepreneur.
I have never heard of op-shops, just had to do a google ;)!
I mostly get vintage fabric from op-shops. That is what we call them in Australia. I think Americans call them thrift shops. It is usually a volunteer run store that sells secondhand items, mainly clothes to raise money for charity. They are a wealth of cool finds.
We call them charity shops in the UK, but I recognise thrift store.
👍amazing post, enjoy ur travelling Mrs...., also very cute kids
aaaa GREAT MOM XD ...and cute twin XD
upvote done @bridgetbunchy
let's dance
Damn, this is beautiful. You made me cry! "Next time you find yourself enviously looking at someones life wishing you could do that – stop the excuses and instead find one thing you can do right now that puts you one step closer. Then when you wake up tomorrow - do one more thing and so on. You are the captain of your soul." You are absolutely right. Wow, what a story.
I left everything too. I left it all behind several times. Sometimes, it takes many starts and stops and more starts again. I left the 9-5 five months ago for good and have found new health, creativity and love for life! You're an example the world needs to see. It can be done. Thanks
It makes me proud and happy to see that more and new people find piece and freedom in their life. You both are a good example. Please continue to be awesome. The world needs more of examples like you :)!
Aww thanks @stellabelle for taking the time to read my post. I watched your little video the other day about the community you live in. What a unique place! I live in a village with 274 people with one general store where they know you by name. This is the first place I have ever lived in where I am really starting to appreciate the value of community. I like how you said you left the 9-5 for good. See that is resolve! I think once you decide to never go back you force yourself to find alternatives.
communities are the best. Living in closeness with people is a rare experience, but i think it's going to make a comeback.
Welcome to the steem family isabella , nice blog and nice pictures :)
Thanks @nabilov.
Everyone should read this one!!!
We should be friends. I'm the woman from the other trending travel post '. You're like a living inspiration for me. Where are you now?
Oh my gosh! Hello. I read your blog the other day and LOVED it. My husband was right when he told me I would love it, after he saw one of your posts trending. You are definitely one of the Steemers I was referring to when I said there is so many inspiring people here. I live in Australia and thousands of kilometres of camper van travel here I ended up moving to a small village called The Summit in Queensland, only 200 kilometres from where I originally left. Haha. I feel like I have found 'home' in a place so I opened a shop, then fell pregnant with the twins. I am not sure what my next adventure will be, but you can be sure there will be plenty more. No excuses hey! China was just my tester regarding travel with two babies. I was a bit nervous about it but stoked with the outcome. I just LOVE your frugality to travel and your little write up about your approach to travel is so spot on. Well done. I met someone similar to you while living on the road. He was travelling the world living off generosity and couches. Totally agree with the vegetarian part - SO much cheaper. I have started my own vegetable patch now too (one of the simple perks to pulling up stumps for a while). Good luck with your adventures I will be following. If you are ever back in Australia, let me know, unless we happen to cross paths elsewhere in this big wide beautiful world.
@budgetbucketlist - Others love your posts as well! I just did this 20 questions interview with @manthostsakirid and, out of all the Steemit blogs, he enjoys yours the most!
https://steemit.com/photography/@wadepaterson/20-questions-with-manthostsakirid-exclusive-interview-with-that-guy-who-did-the-kick-ass-steemit-photoshoot
BOOM!
Self determination FTW
yay!
I love your courage to quit your job and do what makes you happy! A true #girlboss
really inspiring @bridgetbunchy
read you on the next post 8]
Amazing story @bridgetbunchy! All this SO resonates with me and I am making similar choices in my own life to make the most out of the precious time I have been given here on this beautiful earth. So many people around me have those same excuses you are mentioning for not living their dream, and they always assume that I have a lot of money or that I have been extraordinarily lucky. But the reality is that the only difference between me and them is I made different choices and worked hard.. Thanks so much for putting this out there as a proof that anything is possible! <3
You are most welcome @lykkeliten. The fire went out over night and my place so I have woken up to a freezing house and beautiful frost outside but seeing all new upvotes and love for my post here is warming me up inside :)
Up Vote!
More Steemit Gifs Here
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I hope to use steem to let me travel the world one day.
This is how I would like to live my life :)
Never let anything get in your way
Too right @beanz. You go for it!!
Welcome!
It's a never ending struggle between mind and heart. We keep telling ourselves "it's not rational" yet we never ask what we really want to do.
Very true @sulev. We definitely self moderate our dreams based on what deep down we belief is achievable or realistic. I find myself doing it all the time.
Excellent post, you are a strong and determined person, wish you the best!
Great photos too!
Upvoted and followed you :)
Thanks @andrew0 for your well wishes. I didn't even know you could follow people on Steemit. That is a cool feature. I must find out more.
Welcome to the rabbit hole, dear.
If you click on top of the post on username you see a small popup with the "follow" button.
It's still not implemented (you can't still see the posts from people followed) but will be in the future.
But if you go to steemstats.com and you go on Activity -> Currently following tab, you can see the link to the users you are currently following.
Ah! Thanks for that. My steemit life is intermingled with cleaning up porridge used as finger paint so I get pretty distracted.
LOL
People always make excuses for not following their dreams, me included, I love stories like this.
There is a dream for everyone. May I ask what is your dream, that is, if you could do anything you wish?
Hey Isabella,
Your twins will be very proud of you! I wish my mom would be as could as you are!
You have my fully respect and I wish you best luck on your journey.
Hope to read more from so soon.
Thanks @timsaid. I am pretty proud of my twins too :)
I really like idea with maps on your camper. When you go to sleep, you can look on the map, and dream about travel's :)
Yeah I loved it too. I stuck it up using modpodge but alas over time the heat melted the glue so it bubbled. I wanted to get thin clear perspex to try putting it up again but we had to sell dear little Sergio when the twins arrived as there was not enough anchor points for the baby seats.
Great post bridget, your daughter is adorable and im sure all the traveling you do with her will make her a more well rounded globally thinking person in the future. I think we all have the same dream as you here, I don't know if im as strong as you are though. I have one last semester of college and want to make the leap and try to travel, maybe steemit will make that a reality. Anyway great post and look forward to your other ones.
P.S I literally upvoted you the same time as Ned so I saw you go from like $3 to $2000 and my heart jumped like I had that sort of power now haha.
@calaber24p - that made me laugh. You should have seen my crazy happy dance when that upvote happened. My heart jumped too. I thought I made a mistake and was looking at the post above me or something. Crazy how the upvoting works. I often wish I did more travel earlier. I went straight from school, to uni and then to work. But then againevery little thing you do shapes you as a person so no regrets. I love travel, but there is equal joy to be found wherever you currently are too.
You've always inspired the people around you, especially me, now you're using that gift for a larger audience! So cool.
If you are actually making money from this platform, this article might be of use to you.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@leprechaun/a-visa-debit-card-without-a-bank-account
Nice to read about someone following their dreams instead of just talking about them. Most of us just see the barriers in our way instead of taking steps to remove them or ignore them. Instead of saying 'why can't that be me?', you've turned it around so that it is YOU. Great motivation!
Do not wait for all the stars to align to live the life you want - great advice!
cheers...
you r right. just stop complaining
Beautiful twins!
Those are the same thoughts and actions that have slowly transformed my life over the last 10 years. Great story.
Beautiful story, this is very inspirational! Life is too short for all the execuses, just follow your heart and do it!
I love your story so much :) I think your story is absolutely Awesome. As a mum as well I perfectly agree, children are the biggest motivation ever to follow the dream as they learn from the best teacher ever-parents :) I wish you great travelling experience and great prosperity on steemit and to inspire as many people as possible...LOVE IT SO MUCH :) You are so right We can't have results and excuses. Only one of them :)
Wow that is so kind of you to say @margot. Thanks heaps for taking the time to read my story too.
LADY ...you are a HERO !!!
aw shucks @fogspam.
Your post is very inspiring. I think it's just human nature to make excuses and not act on their dreams. Sadly, I'm very much guilty of that myself. It's always good to see someone actually acting out on their dreams :)
Amazing! Your babies are beautiful. I have twins too and know how hard and crazy it can gets sometimes! And all you are doing like traveling I mean I am gonna take my hat off, because with twins getting out of the house to buy some groceries its a complete adventure. Keep persuing your dreams! Best wishes to your family!
Thanks @dnsz. I love hearing from other parents of twins, a quick congratulations or knowing smile means so much more cause I know they really understand. Twins are crazy hard but also it is the best thing to ever happen to me. Grocery shopping is probably harder than travelling in China though - still trying to master that one without returning home with half eaten things and crushed biscuits.
I enjoy reading your blogs @bridgetbunchy. Keep up the good work! Whoops, this comment looks like a total bot post, so I'll just add this line to reassure you that I am not a bot. Anyway you take really good pics too.
Upvoted
Thanks for the upvote @redddet.