The Making of a Dream

Building upon my post from yesterday and the constant search for an alternative lifestyle, I am happy to announce that myself and Jason have entered into a competition. If we win, it'd be an understatement to call the reward a chance of a lifetime. Words cannot express how excited and eager he and I are to have the opportunity of representing LifeProof on the road for 2016. If you are reading this, please take a moment to vote for our video at the following link:

http://www.lifeproof.com/en-us/community.html

Our video creates a short film within a short film to portray the contrast of a working life and an outdoor adventure world. Our goal with this idea was to demonstrate that the two don't have to be separate, that anyone can choose to be adventurous and defy their limits. In this way, we are all capable of being remarkable and living LifeProof.

So if you are reading this, please take less than a minute to vote for our video and to share the link if you really enjoyed !

Life After Travel?

After 6 months of van life followed by 2 months in the back of a Jeep, a comfy bed and consistent shower should sound refreshing and welcoming, shouldn't it?

I've heard of Post-Travel-Trauma (or "Culture Shock") which relates to travelers' difficulties to home life post-trip. Supposedly the individual experiences a brief depression period, followed by adjustment and finally adapting to the original habits, routines and cultures. But what happens to those who don't readjust or adapt? What becomes of those nomadic spirits that were once free only to be reground with debt and socialite expectations? That's where I fall. A struggling free spirit torn between monetary independence and the thrill of living a life on the road through my passions.

Weekends make an ideal chance for quick escapes and to recenter so that no rash or drastic choices are made. However, 2 days at a time to explore is merely a dose to keep the addicted from insanity. A degrading factor which only heightens the challenge of a situation such as mine; Social media. Sure, it's a great way to share moments and motivate others, yet it has created a virtually unachievable divide between the typical and the extraordinary. Countless photo contests, essay submissions and sponsorships have replied that there are "more qualified candidates". How does one grow past the glass ceiling?

Last spring I hit a similar wall and was close to doing what every parent encourages; I considered accepting a marketing job and signing an apartment lease so that I could pay my student loans and "start acting like an adult". Fortunately, I continued searching for the opportunity to live a life I want to live and found my passion in tour guiding. Feeling close to defeat again, I can only continue to improve my self and my art in confidence that another opportunity will present itself and i can once again live my life with passion.