Lessons from a Transatlantic voyage

a caribbean escape

lessons from a transatlantic voyage

They say life is what happens when you least expect it. But how about what happens to your life when you start believing that life can get really good?

Last Tuesday, on the 14th January we reached our first island of the Caribbean, St Maarten. These islands couldn’t have come at a more needed time, after five days sailing across the Atlantic, dealing with a closing door in a personal area of life and an intense workload.

I did what any eldest hyper independent driven daughter does in situations with a bruised heart and a quietened ego, and tunnelled into work.

But now with the islands on the horizon each morning and the stress of events out of mind until the next cruise, my mind has had time to recalibrate. Here’s what I learned from this cruise:

lesson one: LEAN INTO DUALITY

Duality is a skill that will always evolve. Just like how the rain and sun coexist in the Caribbean climate at the same time, my life and work coincide on a ship at the same time, let alone when you equate TGA into the picture. Having the ability to still feel emotions whilst balancing other areas is a necessity at times in our lives. You will have these times where duality is needed in the hard times, which brings me to point 2.

LESSON TWO: ENVIRONMENT

Never underestimate the power of a change in environment when things are intense. I know sometimes you won’t be able to drop everything for a week in St Lucia, but even working from cafes, or getting changed out of work clothes when you finish working from home can massively help in making sure you don’t burn out.

LESSON THREE: CHANGE SHOULD BE UNAPOLOGETIC

You are allowed to change paths no matter what anyone says. This blog isn’t typical. I don’t post lots of educational travel content. ThatGirlAdventures is based around storytelling, because writing from the heart is what I do best. The more you lean into what actually feels right, rather than following ideas that aren’t yours is not going to set your soul alight.

LESSON FOUR: YOU CAN HOLD IT ALL, BUT YOU DON'T NEED TO CONSTANTLY

You can hold it all, but you also don’t need to hold it all, all the time. As long as you are doing your best, and you know you’re doing your best not to self sabotage, it doesn’t matter how it looks on the outside. No one is going to know you missed a day journalling, or you have that glass of wine. You are human, and you do not need to be perfect, you just need to be holding yourself to your standards. You will know when you’ve genuinely forgotten vs knowing you need to do something for your standards and choosing the easier get out option. Duality is needed, but don’t beat yourself up if you struggle.

This was due to be published whilst I was still in the Caribbean but life happens, which brings me to an additional number 5…

LESSON FIVE: RESIST THE URGE TO CONTROL EVERYTHING

Resisting the urge to control everything and listening to the universe and its signs has been one of the best parts about having the privilege to live life. I sometimes forget that life itself for me is a privilege, but as whack as the universe may be at testing you through things, it normally has a point.

You’re still going to have highs and lows, but this week I want to ask you, how good do you truly believe it can get for you? And if your belief is not that high, try for a week to look out for it.

Chances are, it may just be all around you.