Category: Empowered

The Art of Exploration

2/10/2015

Travel is and always will be one of my greatest passions in life. I've been to many places, but my travel bucket list is still miles long. Little Travel Birdie grew out of my love for exploration and my belief that we must expand our own little worlds beyond home.

Writing about my experiences and sharing what I've learned in my travels is something I hope to continue as travel plans arise. In the meantime my focus will be on encouraging women in their daily lives. This is what I'll pour my energy into. With SHEbirdie I hope to pull together all of the elements that I think make for confident womanhood.

Developing and having personal style is something that exudes confidence in women. Style is how you express yourself - jewelry, hair, grooming habits, and clothes are all part of it. And technology is ever evolving into incredible enhancements for our daily lives, from household gadgets, to wearable devices. Where fashion and technology come together, we see some of the greatest innovation. My aim is to share what I discover and learn with you.

Creating a healthy lifestyle is a universal need in the world we live in. But forget the diet fads and impossible workout routines - my goal is to be real and honest. I'll share some of my own transformation journey as well. It's my belief that mental health is just as important, if not more than our physical health because the mind drives the body. I hope to honor the marriage of these two life forces in my coverage of total wellness.

And finally, confidence in our lives depends on what we believe we are capable of. To feel empowered is to feel that anything we desire is possible. The power of knowing your worth and viewing life through a positive lens is incredibly liberating. The personal experience of seeking my own self-actualization is the force behind my motive to encourage others to embrace that power.

So, please keep in touch with me here at SHEbirdie | ESCAPE – there is so much more to explore ahead.
-Mel

Travel Quote Series: The Dollar Distraction

2/10/2015

“Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage.” – Paulo Coelho

The truth of this quote can be lost it the hyperbole. Of course travel takes money – not as much as people assume sometimes, but it costs nonetheless. I believe the true sentiment here is that if someone has the courage and the will to do something, it can be done.

We can do what we decide we will do. It does not matter how difficult it may appear to be from the outside. It does not matter how many others have tried and failed. It does not matter what it will cost in time, money, resources, effort, or sacrifice. If a person truly wants something – and I mean absolutely irrevocably wants something - they will find a way to get it. It’s the way of the human spirit. There is something in us that won’t rest until we’ve attained it.

Now you may be saying, “But I’ve been there and it didn’t work for me – I wanted something so bad, but I just didn’t have the means to get it….” To that I’d venture to guess that you were afraid of something. Maybe the result of actually getting that thing you wanted would put you out of your comfort zone. Maybe you would have to give up a habit that you’ve grown attached to in order to achieve that goal. Maybe the thought of failing consumed you to the point where all you could visualize was the embarrassment that would follow. Break it down – fear will be at the core of why that thing you wanted did not materialize.

Fear is the only thing that prevents us from actually getting what we want for our lives. When it comes to travel, the fear may be the flying part, or the foreign language part, or the asking for help part. A big obstacle for many of us is our job. Maybe the money you make at work can barely pay your bills - this is a real challenge, but there are still opportunities for travel with charity organizations, foreign exchange work programs, or even personal networking. Maybe you don't have the vacation days to take – plan a trip for a holiday/long weekend, or check if your company offers a leave program. Or if your job is truly holding you back from the adventurous life that you want, consider saving up for a career change and take a sabbatical in between (I'll fill you in on how I did it in another post).

The excuses are endless, but so are the solutions! Just ask yourself what you really want and then keep challenging yourself to honestly answer this question: Why not?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please share below.

The Cubicle Escape

2/10/2015

Let's be honest. Half the time you spend in that work cubicle, you’re not actually working, but daydreaming about being anywhere but there. Between spreadsheets, phone calls, and coffee breaks, you’re wishing you could be on a faraway Tahitian beach, sipping Mai-tais, and feeling the breeze on your face. Or maybe you imagine yourself backpacking through Spain with your 10th grade conversational Spanish skills barely getting you by. Or maybe you’re longing for the rush of an international city – London’s crowded tube and countless pubs are beckoning you to “live like a local” to your heart’s content.

We’ve all been there – that place in our minds – our escape zone.

As young professionals working to make our way in this world, it’s easy to fall into the rut of our daily grind. We seek an escape, if only a mental one, to relieve some of the pressure and remind us that we are human beings with a desire to experience all that life has to offer. But this mental escape can become a reality with a little planning and a lot of determination. Even if you don’t think you can afford it, or you don’t have a lot of vacation time, or you don’t know a word of French (Spanish, Mandarin, etc.), it IS possible to see the world! In fact, it’s important that you do.

You know there is more to life than the four walls of your cubicle, your apartment, and your favorite spot for Friday night happy hour. Whatever your four walls are, if you’re ready to go beyond them, keep reading. There’s much more to come!

Share your thoughts:

Can you relate?
What is your dream "escape zone?"

The Art of Exploration

Travel Quote Series: The Dollar Distraction

The Cubicle Escape

Mel

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