Reflection on New Zealand

Been away for 4 months. Now that I’m back, friends are asking, “How was New Zealand?”

What a loaded question. One that requires more context.

The last 1.5 years have been quite the ride. The most difficult period of my adult life. A tragic end to a long-term partnership, and betrayal from a close friend. I was about to fly to New Zealand when this all went down. Instead, I pushed the trip a year to heal and cultivate community. We grow most in these moments. Later, in that space, a beautiful human came into my life and helped me love and trust again. I’m so grateful. Yet even healthy relationships can come to natural conclusions. Through it all, waves of depression, anxiety, and bliss. Beautiful, colorful highs and dark, painful lows.

My career path has been just as wild. In October 2022 I was a head of content with a 4-person team writing about growth marketing. Now, I’m a freelance climate writer AND I own a massage therapy practice here in Burlington, Vermont. The story? After leaving my comfy job, I started freelance writing about what I care to share most: climate. All the while, I was itching for something tangible, in-person rather than behind a screen. So I spent a few days a week training in massage therapy. As the program progressed, I became more invested. It was feeding my soul. I write for climate companies often and enjoy it—this is my main craft. The creativity and the drive give me direction, purpose. But the groundedness and smooth flow of massage balance me out. So I decided to start a practice.

There was just one thing I needed to do first…involving a mountain bike 😉

So how was New Zealand? It was exactly what I needed. I rode my bike 1200 miles across a beautiful country, sure. But more importantly, the decision to go to New Zealand created space to heal and to grow in ways I didn’t know I needed. There’s plenty more work to do, and that’s alright. New Zealand marked the end of an important chapter & the beginning of a new one. Luckily, I don’t need to fly to the other side of the world to write this chapter. Thanks to my beautiful support network—my fam and friends who lift me up. You know I try to do the same for you ✌️💙🥭