Summer 2017 has taken me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and adventures. I’ve enjoyed some fabulous highs along with some of the most challenging lows of my life to date.
It was Albert Einstein who said that ‘the only source of knowledge is experience’ and after reflecting on my trip to Bali last month, I can certainly say that I am wiser and more knowledgable thanks to the experiences that I had out there.
Continuous personal development is really important to me and I love to be inspired by the people that I meet across the world and draw on my experiences to improve my life.
In today’s post, I wanted to share with you, five things that I learned while in Bali.
1. FRIENDSHIP ISN’T ABOUT WHO YOU’VE KNOWN THE LONGEST
While in Bali, I had the pleasure of meeting some truly amazing people. One in particular showed me that friendship really isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. She listened to me and provided some of the most significant and helpful advice and support I’ve received in life, drawing on her own experiences and wisdom.
I learned to not fear opening up to someone; if it feels right, go with your gut. Sometimes the right people are there at exactly the right time you need them.
2. YOGA IS FOR ME AFTER ALL
While in Bali, I had the chance to try out yoga for the first time.
I’d often thought that yoga was for those far slimmer, fitter and more flexible than myself but it really is for everyone. Real yoga is about the mind, body and spirit being one, its not about what you look like, what you’re wearing or about being perfect; its not a competition. That in itself smashes the trendy, Sweaty Betty mould that many associate with the practice. This stereotype was what always made me admire yoga from afar but never have the confidence to join in with.
While staying at Bliss Sanctuary for Women in Canggu, I was able to start my day with an early morning yoga class and the peaceful awakening was so beneficial to me. Aside from discovering the benefits of the physical side, i.e. that I am stronger and able to move into more positions than I first thought, the relaxation, meditation and focus on the breath had a great impact on my mental wellbeing.
Now that I’m home, I’ll definitely be practising yoga on a more regular basis, even if its just once a week or once every fortnight to get me started. As someone who suffers with anxiety the calm that it brings to my day and how positively it directs my mindset is essential.
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3. COLLECT MEMORIES NOT THINGS
Filling my life with experiences is more important to me than owning things. Having stories to tell, memories to look back on and a life that’s been lived is what enriches my own life and makes me more interesting than having things to show others ever would. Admittedly, its taken me longer in life to realise that than it should have.
4. TINY FOOD TWISTS MAKE BIG DIFFERENCES
Scrambled egg was the baby sick breakfast lookalike that I’ve passed by for years until I stayed at the Alassari Plantation.
The Balinese chefs there instantly upgrade their scrambled eggs with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes. A tiny food twist with a bold flavour that makes such a difference to this simple dish that I’ve been left wondering why I hadn’t thought of enjoying them in this way sooner.
Breakfast game coming back strong!
5. A SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY IS NOT DETERMINED BY A DEEP SUNTAN
I love having bronzed, tanned skin but for so long my suntan has definitely factored in whether I’d class a holiday as being a success or enjoyable. I’ll always love soaking up the sun, protected by my favourite Clarins SPF and while wearing gorgeous swimwear like this plus size bardot swimsuit from Yours Clothing (review here) but Bali definitely gave me a reminder that holidays and travelling are about relaxing, seeing the world and enjoying new experiences and you don’t get that from chilling on a sun lounger alone!
What did you learn when you last travelled? How did your experience benefit you?
I totally agree about collecting memories nor things, definitely the right way to live life x
I've never been to Bali, but it looks like you had a great time there
I love this post as it reflects so many of life's lessons that I had to learn the hard way. Also, yay for yoga! I'm so glad you got to enjoy it. I find it helps so much with illness and stress. x
We also went to Bali this summer and agree that I learnt so much whilst there too, I agree friendship is definitely not about who you've known for the longest! Your swimsuit is so pretty too!
I have learned that yoga might be for me also during my travels, in India. Unfortunately when I returned back home I didn't find a class to suit me at my local gym. It's great when you learn things while on holiday, isn't it?
It's true.. aside from having fun, vacations let us learn things about life and how to deal with those. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely in love with that bathing suit! You rock it!
I am glad this summer has brought to you some amazing things alongside the trials as well – it sounds like you had an amazing time in Bali I would love to be able to visit myself one day.
Collect memories not things is such a valuable lesson to learn! I think it takes a while to learn that lesson but it's SO true!
Amen to your personal development journey. I too agree that we should collect memories and not things and its true that its not about who you know the longest either x
I love your swimsuit. I recently got into yoga and it is so much fun. And I always feel more relaxed.
I always wanted to take up yoga but … well… too many things happening and there is always too little time. I hope this will change and I get to practice it too.
Yoga is definitely for everyone. As long as you find the right teacher and the right moves then you are good to go.
Bali sounds absolutely wonderful. I really want to get into yoga as I know how much I loved it when I tried it out before x
I totally agree about collecting memories instead of things – it's definitely how I'm trying to live life nowadays
I'm so jealous you've been to Bali! It's been on my list for ages. Looks like you had a lovely time xx
I agree memories are far more important than things as they give you so much to think back on. A few photos can come in handy too. Hope you had a lovely holiday x
What a cool place to learn something new. I really want to get in to yoga and love the idea of the sundried tomatoes.
Looks like you learned a lot, I totally agree with collecting memories over things you remember them longer
I love this Laura, some very heartfelt things and I have to admit I will only eat scrambled eggs that my mum makes on the microwave!!!! That cossie is ace. I wish I liked wearing them x
Totally agree about collecting memories and not things this is why we're out on adventures all the time. You can't take things with you when you die and it's much better to leave shared memories with love ones rather than materialistic artefacts x
I was in Bali around the same time you were but my last trip was Dubai for my 30th and that taught me to remember to put my happiness first and not just put myself second and never settle
So glad you had a great holiday lovely. So true about friendship, I've got more "short term" friendships who give me more support and love than people I've known for years and expect more from. I definitely don't determine my holiday by my tan but then I am a ginge, it's all about the memories and the laughs and fun along the way
You are so right about friendship! I have let some long term 'friends' go as I came to realise that they were not doing my mental health any good. New friends can sometime be a refreshing change and lighten up your life when you least expect it. Good point about a suntan not determining whether it is a good holiday.
Ok firstly, I am so so so jealous that you went to Bali this summer. It looks like you learnt some really good and important things – memories are 100% better than material items 🙂
These are all great things to learn. My skin doesn't tan. Or even burn. So I most definitely can't class my holiday's successful by how brown my skin turns :DLouise x