Yip, I admit it, I’m a control freak. I love planning and I love making to-do lists. And the recent month-long trip to New Zealand was no exception – I had a detailed calendar of our movements, a spreadsheet, and an A4-page to-do list to make sure all logistics and bookings were sorted. It worked … Continue reading Planning isn’t everything
#40by40 volcanoes
Volcano number 7: The successful New Zealand volcano
Finally, a day of sunshine! I almost couldn’t believe it – I had to pinch myself to make sure – but there it was, crisp blue sky and a white-gold orb coating my immediate world in warm rays of sunshine. No rain to be seen; not even a cloud. It was rejoice-worthy. The majestic-ness of … Continue reading Volcano number 7: The successful New Zealand volcano
Another epic weather fail
The rain on the tent sounded like an army chucking thousands of buckets of water over it. It had sounded like that all night; a constant drumming as the torrential rain pelted the tree above us, which jettisoned the water directly onto our tent. To say it was wet was an understatement. We’d completed the … Continue reading Another epic weather fail
When the weather scuppers your volcano-climbing plans
“Are there any questions? Does anyone have other plans for tomorrow?” the hut warden Sally asked the motley group of trampers as we huddled in the Mangatepopo hut on the skirts of the Tongariro National Park in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. Outside the wind was buffeting against the hut’s wooden walls, whipping … Continue reading When the weather scuppers your volcano-climbing plans
Here’s the plan for the trip to New Zealand
So, the next lot of volcanoes in my #40by40 quest have now been lined up as I head off back home to New Zealand for a month in a little over two weeks’ time. Woohoo can’t wait! The original plan had been to fit in five volcanoes but trying to also fit in a friend’s … Continue reading Here’s the plan for the trip to New Zealand
How to conquer self-doubt: Remove toxic people from your life
Almost everyone has them – you know, those “friends” who are always quick to find something wrong with an idea or err on the side of negativity; those ones that deflate your happiness like popping a balloon and leave you feeling down and depressed and wrung out after spending even five minutes with them. These … Continue reading How to conquer self-doubt: Remove toxic people from your life
Why having patience when achieving your goals is important
Last week I blogged about my goals for 2017 – 15 things I essentially needed to do (or not do, in the case of watching TV) this year to upskill, up my personal development and help progress my #40by40 quest. There were a couple of things I didn’t include on the list, such as investigate … Continue reading Why having patience when achieving your goals is important
These were my highlights from 2016
In my last blog, I listed all the mishaps, lows and hilarious misadventures I had experienced in 2016. Now I turn to the highlights and good times. At this time of year, with a spangly new year full of promise on the horizon, it’s good to remember the positives and to be grateful for the … Continue reading These were my highlights from 2016
How to conquer self-doubt: Review your progress
Earlier this week I blogged about imposter syndrome (where you believe you’re a fraud and fear being discovered as such) and how it exists to make you doubt yourself and think you’re not worthy of success or achieving your dreams. Part of what drives the syndrome is the thinking that any success is a result … Continue reading How to conquer self-doubt: Review your progress
How to conquer self-doubt: Stop making excuses
I have become quite adept at making excuses as to why I can’t do things: “I can’t go to the gym because I’m too tired.” “I don’t want to go out after work because it’s too cold or I haven’t got anything nice to wear.” “I can’t climb that mountain because I’m not fit enough … Continue reading How to conquer self-doubt: Stop making excuses