A Journey Begins: Bali, My Father, and a Chance Encounter

A Journey Begins: Bali, My Father, and a Chance Encounter

Today marks the beginning of an adventure I’ve been dreaming about for a long time — my trip to Bali. The kind of trip that lives in your mind long before your feet ever hit the ground. And as fate would have it, this beginning landed on a day close to my heart: my father’s birthday.

Travel days are often a blur of logistics, security lines, and airplane food — but this one felt different. Maybe it was the weight of the day, or maybe it was the lightness that came with it. Either way, I felt him. My dad!

He was the kind of man who never met a stranger. Whether he was standing in line for coffee or sitting on a long-haul flight, he’d strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was curious — insatiably so — and he believed every person carried a story worth hearing. So today, when I found myself sitting next to a university professor who specialized in history and Canadian heritage, I smiled. I knew this was the kind of connection my father would have made with ease. And maybe, in a way, he did.

Our conversation started simply — polite nods, a shared laugh over Moncton’s small airport with lack of food option — but it quickly deepened. We talked about national identity, storytelling, how cultures remember their past and shape their future. We even touched on spirituality, travel, and how both are forms of learning if you’re open to it. It was one of those conversations that feels both expansive and grounding. Enlightening in the truest sense.

As I wished a safe flight to my new friend, I found my seat. And as the plane cut through clouds, I kept thinking: This is exactly what my dad would have done. He would’ve leaned in, asked questions, laughed in that way that disarmed people instantly. I felt him with me — in that seat, in that moment, in that curiosity.

Bali is just beginning for me. The retreat, the beaches, the temples, the smells of incense and adventure — all of that is still ahead. But already, something meaningful has unfolded. Today reminded me that travel isn’t just about where you go, but about what (and who) you carry with you.

Happy birthday, Dad. I felt you today — in the stories, in the stranger, in the sky.

Here’s to what comes next.

Love and Light, 💕🦋

Nat

The Power of Journaling: A Beautiful Shift After Vulnerability

The Power of Journaling: A Beautiful Shift After Vulnerability

In my last blog, I opened up like never before. I let my raw emotions spill onto the page, revealing the depth of my loneliness, emptiness, and darkness. It was terrifying, yet freeing, to be that vulnerable. I had no idea what would happen next, but I knew I had to write it.

And then, something beautiful happened.

Almost immediately after sharing my struggles, I felt lighter. The heaviness that had been pressing on my chest began to lift. The darkness that had clouded my mind started to fade. I didn’t expect such an immediate shift, but it was as if putting my pain into words had released its grip on me.

It was a reminder of why journaling is so powerful. Writing doesn’t just document our thoughts….it transforms them. It allows us to process, to understand, and sometimes, to let go. By confronting my emotions head-on, instead of suppressing them, I created space for healing.

But the magic didn’t stop there.

As readers reached out…some with words of encouragement, others sharing their own struggles….I realized I wasn’t alone. My loneliness had told me I was isolated, that no one understood, but that was a lie. There were so many others who had felt the same way, and suddenly, my pain wasn’t just mine anymore. It was shared. And in that shared experience, I found connection.

This experience reinforced something I’ve always known but sometimes forget: vulnerability is strength. When we dare to be real, to be seen, we open the door to love, understanding, and unexpected healing.

If you’re struggling, I encourage you to write. Even if it’s just for yourself. Even if no one else ever reads it. There is something truly transformative about putting your emotions into words.

For me, journaling wasn’t just a release—it was the beginning of something new….A shift. A breath of fresh air after what felt like an endless storm.

And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

In love and light 🦋💫❤️

Nat

When Life Feels Heavy: A Personal Reflection on Struggling with my Mental Health

When Life Feels Heavy: A Personal Reflection on Struggling with my Mental Health

Why am I not more excited and motivated for this new year with my travels and projects? Why am I having a hard time being my bubbly cheerful self? Why am I feeling very alone?

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m stuck in a rut, a type of fog…one of those clouds you can’t quite see your way out of, where every step feels heavier than the last. It’s hard to admit, but I’m struggling with my mental health right now. It’s the beginning of the year, shouldn’t I be focused on gratitude and positivity while planning my year?! Shouldn’t I be excited and happy with the upcoming plans?

I’ve been carrying around this dark feeling of loneliness for days. It was so hard to be excited for my mom’s wedding. There are days when I wake up exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. My body feels weighted, and my mind feels cluttered with worries I can’t seem to sort through. I try to push through because that’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Keep going, stay strong.

What makes it harder is the voice in my head that whispers, “You shouldn’t feel this way. Other people have it worse.” That voice tries to invalidate my feelings, making me question whether I even have the right to feel overwhelmed. But the truth is, I’m reflecting that pain isn’t a competition. It’s okay to acknowledge when things feel hard for me, even if someone else might be facing their own challenges.

Usually, I would spent these dark times alone, not verbalizing these thoughts, feelings and challenges. I would keep them hidden in a locked box that no one had access to. I would be ashamed to have such feelings because technically, shouldn’t I be happy and content with my lifestyle and job?! I have nothing really substantive to be saddened or upset about. I am healthy, I have a beautiful home and a good job. I have a lovely family and great friends. Then why the emptiness and the overwhelming feelings of sadness?!

I want to remind myself—and anyone reading this—that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to admit that life feels overwhelming sometimes. It doesn’t mean we’re weak or broken; it means we’re human.

I know I’m not alone in these struggles, even though it often feels that way. My bestie’s courageous post a few weeks ago gave me the encouragement to be vulnerable and share my true challenges as I’m living them myself.

Talking about mental health can be difficult, but it’s an important step toward healing. So here I am, sharing this in hopes that if you’re feeling the same way, you’ll know you’re not alone.

What I’m doing?!

I don’t have all the answers, and I’m still trying to figure out what self-care looks like for me right now in these dark times.

I’ve scheduled a appointment with my psychologist and I am also giving myself permission to rest and not focus on too much extra.

I’m having a hard time doing my mundane domestic chores home. It’s the first time I actually raise my hand to seek help. I also have been putting words on the feelings and sensations I’ve been living through the past few weeks. Acknowledging my emotions is helping for my healing journey.

If you’re reading this and struggling too, please remember: You are enough. You are not defined by your worst days. And even when it feels like the weight of the world is too much to bear, there is hope. There is always hope!

I also like reminding myself that everything in life ebb and flows. What goes up must eventually come down.

If you feel isolated, reach out. There is always someone there for you.

We’ll get through this—one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

In love and light, ✨💕🦋

Nat