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Writer's pictureCathie Rooyen

Compass

Monday 11th September 2023


Travelling has given me the opportunity to not only see many different places but also meet amazing people. From the helpful shop assistants, to hilarious bus passengers and so many different conversations in between, have all expanded my world view experience. I hadn't realised just how homogeneous the area I'd lived in had been for most of my adult life. I often feel very naive when I see people in the UK and my mouth drops open and a judgey thought pops in my head. But I'm learning...


Traversing both hemispheres can be a challenge too when asked the really difficult questions, like what has been my favourite place, or where do I see myself living in 5 years. I can't answer these questions but I'm not nervous about it either, because I know how my life has changed so unexpectedly in the last 8 years. From staying permanently at home during a plague, to dressing up in costumes, to travelling my home city, country and now hemispheres, I have built up a reliance on my inner compass. This has been the most magical gift of this journey - discovering who I am.

I, by no means know completely what that means yet and I might never fully understand myself but I trust myself, if that makes sense?


My old companion of anxiety is now a distant memory which is the most freeing feeling of all. Being nervous about the possibility of something 'bad' happening was a terrible waste of my energy plus it seldom happened. I occasionally have a flash of the mumbling, scaredy cat, unsure self when I get asked something that I truly don't have the answer for (yet) but overall I'm quite fine not knowing the answers to my life.


My inner compass is strong and that's most important now, all roads lead to home, and my home sits in my chest and it's full of treasures.





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