Balanced Footprints

Getting to Macchu Picchu for $85 USD

Posted on December 4, 2016 by balancedfootprints

Oh boy howdy. Peru, you have bewitched me mind, body, and soul and I love- love you. I figured this quote from one of my favorite stories of all time fit perfectly. This country is magical I swear. From my first day in Lima to now, it has been a wild ride and I don’t see it stopping.

Photo credit: Ali

Most people come to Peru for the biggest attraction, Macchu Picchu. I knew I had to make my way there, but I couldn’t fork out the $300-$500 I heard many people handing over. Plus you usually have to book those services months in advance or chance it when you get to Cusco. I knew I had to find an alternative route. I read about an option for reaching Machu Picchu for $1 USD, technically $44 USD after the entrance ticket, but that would require walking 28 km (17 miles) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. That’s not even including the hiking to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes and around the site. As fun as that sounded I wanted to find another way. And as the travel universe would have it I caught wind of this great option and ran with it. I met a friend in Lima named Ben from Texas who would later be one of the best travel companions a girl could ask for. Together we would embark on this unforgettable adventure.

– OUR PLAN FOR GETTING TO MACHU PICCHU-

So how we did it was we went to the OkiDoki Cusco Hostel and went through their agency which after shopping around, they definitely offered the best price and we felt the best vibes from the staff. The hostel is connected to the agency so you can’t miss it, they also offer tours to other destinations such as Rainbow Mountain. The tour included transportation from Cusco to Hidroélectrica which is about a 6-hour shuttle ride on a very windy road. If you’re prone to motion sickness maybe another the train is a better option for you. From Hidroélectrica you walk to Aguas Calientes which is the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. You follow the train tracks which takes about 2.5-3 hours depending how fast you walk. The railroad is active so you just have to be aware of your surroundings, of course. This route is very popular you will find both tourists and locals doing it.

The walk is lusciously green and beautiful, make sure to have your camera charged for this portion of the trek, too. There are also heaps of small booths and restaurants along the way to get drinks, snacks, or use the bathroom. I think I even saw a place offering showers if you really needed it. Once you reach Aguas Calientes you make your way to your accommodation that is set up for you through the agency. Around 7:30 p.m. you’ll have dinner with a group of other tourists (all prepaid except for drinks). It was a great experience with new friends. We ended up dining in a candle lit setting and listening to a thunderstorm and I have to admit it was one of the coolest dinners of my trip so far.

Before the power outage, obviously.

While at dinner one of the tour guides comes in and explains the options for transportation up to Machu Picchu. The options are either taking the bus ($12 USD one way) or walking (free). Bet you can’t guess what option Ben and I did……

Yup, we walked and the 4 a.m. wake-up call was SO WORTH IT! My barista years trained me for this day.

I highly recommend this route for anyone that’s able. It’s tough, but so rewarding and it’s a great way to start off your morning. While going up a group of local girls and I kept encouraging each other whenever one of us stopped for a break. It was a fun bonding experience. You’ll see many locals and tourists taking this route also.

Once you make it to the top then you have to tackle the line of people waiting at the gates. We arrived at 6:45 and our tour was scheduled for 6:30. Luckily the line moved fast and we caught up with our group in no time. It felt like a dream that we were there honestly. It’s just so mind-boggling how the entire site was found, constructed, and is still intact. It just came as no surprise that it’s one of the wonders of the world.

But as all great things must come to an end so did our time in Machu Picchu. We had to start heading back down by 11 a.m. to make it back to Hidroélectrica by 2:30 p.m. for our shuttle. So with that we took one last look and said our goodbyes to the beautiful Machu Picchu.

We made it back to Hidroélectrica in no time and started the voyage back to Cusco. We got back around 9 p.m. and honestly felt very satisfied with our trip. I have been recommending this agency to anyone I come across that is looking for an alternative route to Machu Picchu. It’s an unforgettable adventure that I can’t recommend it enough for people who are ballin’ on a budget!

Don’t miss out on one of the wonders of the world just because of your pocket book, the travel universe has a funny way of working.

Trip to Machu Picchu for $85 USD includes:

Transportation from Cusco to Hidroélectrica
One lunch
Hostel accommodation (private room)
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Dinner (drinks not included)
Free breakfast (at the hostel)
A guide for 2 hours (6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.)
Transportation from Hidroélectrica back to Cusco

How did you get to Machu Picchu? What was your favorite part of the journey?

The adventures of South America: part 2

Posted on November 14, 2016 by balancedfootprints

One of the places highest on my list to visit in South America was Patagonia. But as many of you know it’s quite expensive to go there and even more expensive the further you go down. Adri and I decided to do the Argentina side due to financial reasons.

We decided the best way for us to get there was by bus. Although not the fastest it was ultimately the cheapest option. I know about 24 hours in a bus isn’t ideal for many folks, but when you’re ballin’ on a budget you have to do crazy things sometimes. However, you get to see some beautiful landscapes and your appreciation for the country grows immensely.

First stop: San Martin de Los Andes, Argentina

This place was absolutely beautiful and I can’t really say we were here long given we were just waiting for our connection bus to Bariloche. My only regret here is not having more time. Only two hours to explore a beautiful town is not nearly enough. It was a beautiful mountain town and I highly recommend staying at least a day or two here if your schedule allows so.

Second stop: Bariloche, Argentina

Oh goodness, this place is magical. So beautiful and I am so glad we spent the amount of time we did here. I also cannot rave enough about our hostel host, Chino. He was the absolute best! We were in a pinch at one point and needed to find a way to El Calafate, Argentina. Chino was kind enough to drive us to town and give us his bus card because he knew we needed it. I was just so amazed by his hospitality and how above and beyond he goes for all his guests. If you’re ever in the area La Casona Hostel comes highly recommended!

Bariloche also has some great hiking areas, too. We explored a bit and were just captivated by mother nature and all her grace as you can see.

Next stop: PATAGONIA!

Third stop: El Calafate, Argentina

Well we finally made it to Patagonia area and it felt like a dream. The beauty of this place is just unreal and I never wanted to leave (even though I love the PNW). If you go to El Calafate then you have to go to Perito Moreno and see the glacier, it’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been. Entrance is about $330 ARS= $21 USD. The only down part is the park itself closes at 6 so make sure to spend the whole day there to get your moneys worth!

We were lucky enough to be hosted by our dear friend Patricio while we stayed in El Calafate and made friends with Belén from Spain. After spending a wonderful night together cooking dinner with new friends and exchanging travels plans, us ladies decided to set out for El Chaltén which is hiking town near El Calafate. By bus it would cost us about $100 round trip and due to my budget I was able to afford that. This next part Mom you might not want to read….

Fourth stop: El Chaltén

So to save us some money we decided to do a common source of transportation down south, hitchhike. Now I know many of you reading just had a chill run through your body, trust me I did, too. But it is VERY common down south and we saw many people both locals and tourists who were doing it. Also, I would not have done this on my own, no way! Adri and Belén basically had to pep talk me the whole way. This was a whole new experience for me, but I’m happy we did it. We met some really generous folks who were able to take us all to and from El Calafate. I don’t see myself doing this in the future, however now I can cross it off my bucket list.

While in El Chaltén we completed the trek called Fitz Roy and this sight was absolutely beautiful. The first 9 km are a breeze for the most part, but the last 1 km you feel like you want to quit, but don’t! I’m sorry the photos don’t give it nearly enough justice, nothing can except for experiencing it for yourself. This has been one of the best experiences of my life so far hands down. The water in the stream was the best I’ve ever tasted in my life. You can literally put your water bottle in the stream and drink it! Coming from the Pacific Northwest we’re pretty privileged with great water, so it was like Christmas Day for me to be able to drink this.

This group of ladies was something special, too. I feel so blessed to have had such a great crew with me while doing this trek. We met Otoño in our hostel room.We were all from different regions of the world, who would have thought a Colombian, American, Israeli, and Spaniard would all be trekking together.

Overall that day we hiked about 23 km (which was about 14 miles for my American friends). But every step was worth it and I could not get over the weather, my goodness. I mean being able to wear a t-shirt in Patagonia, I think that’s a good day!

After spending about 2 days in El Chaltén it was time for Belén, Adri, and I to split ways unfortunately. Belén made her way to Bariloche while Adri set off to Montevideo and I to Buenos Aires. After about 3 days Adri met back up with me in Buenos Aires.

Fifth stop: Buenos Aires:

This was my first portion of the trip where I would be fully solo. I admit I was a little nervous, but with Adri’s guidance I felt ready. I stayed at Circus Hostel & Hotel and although it was a little pricey, I really enjoyed my stay there and was able to meet some really fun people.

San Telmo market

One of my absolute favorite parts of Buenos Aires by far was the San Telmo market which was about 2 blocks away from the hostel. In South America the best of the best markets come out on Sunday, that’s fairly standard for all cities I’ve visited so far. So my friend Steff and I decided to go check it out and later we met up with my friend Ben. But not before we saw John Malkovich WALKING in front of us! Steff and I couldn’t believe it was really him, but felt bad when he couldn’t experience the market like us, because others started to notice him as well. But I highly recommend checking out the San Telmo market if you’re in Buenos Aires for a weekend whether John Malkovich is there or not, it is HUGE and you can spend pretty much all day there so be careful.

Stumble into a music festival

After the market we strolled down another street to find a giant music festival going on and had one of the best arepa’s I’ve ever had. On the street of the music festival were a bunch of different food stands from all over; Colombia, Brasil, Argentina, and others. It was great!

Venture to La Boca

After the festival we decided to venture forth to La Boca, which is a great neighborhood to check out. So colorful, full of unique characters (see characters behind us in photos above), and has circus vibe. Some advice here though that we were told about by a local woman who was kind enough to warn us is to not stray too far from the main center of the neighborhood, because unfornately theft is common here, especially amongst tourists. So just be contious of your belongings and surroundings.If you stay near the main blocks though you’ll be fine. I also recommend going with at least one other person if you choose to walk like we did.

Walking tours

Buenos Aires also has free walking tours that I recommend checking out! They start at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Your hostel will have maps with the times and meeting places on them. Again these tours are free, but tipping is encouraged. I have to admit the walking tours here were my favorite, I’ve done so far. The history of Argentina is quite fascinating and I highly encourage everyone to take them. Each tour goes to different portions of the city as well in the morning you end in the cemetery (which is a must see because of the detail on the tomb stones), and in the afternoon you finish in the Casa Rosada.

Café Tortoni

One of the oldest cafes in Buenos Aires and mostly is still in it’s original state. While we were there Ben and I got the 3 churros con chocolate Caliente and Adri got a iced beverage. The atmosphere is mostly what people go there for, many important Argentinians back in the day would meet here for business deals and such. Just don’t expect to always walk straight in, there usually is a line of some sort.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

If you like books even in the slights, this place is a MUST! The beauty within this library is unreal, I easily could have spent all day here just relaxing and reading. Just make sure when looking for it that you say “El Ateneo Grand Splendid“, because there are many bookstores known as “El Ateneo”all over the city. Steff and I found out the hard way that we were a bit off. All part of the adventure though!

See a late night Tango show

So it was our last night in Buenos Aires and Adri and I were determined to see a tango show before we left, but everything we were finding was outrageously expensive. Luckily our host Manuel was kind enough to join us to a place he heard about. It was a new experience for all of us, because even he had never been to a tango show. I really didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. You don’t even wanna blink when the dancers are performing because you’re afraid you’ll miss something important. Needless to say we ended up staying there until about 4 a.m. and practiced our dance moves all the way home.

So I liked Buenos Aires a lot, I was fortunate enough to meet many great people, have some late night fun, and learn more about the history. It’s funny reminiscing about this city I feel like I fell more in love with it than I let on. I did like it a lot and am definitely glad I went.

What has been your favorite city in Argentina? Thoughts about Patagonia? Have you ever seen a tango show?

The adventures of South America: Part 1

Posted on November 12, 2016 by balancedfootprints

So I haven’t posted since I started my journey on October 5th and I feel terrible about this. There’s been a lot I’ve wanted to share with people so there’s no better time to start than now, right? So I’ll be writing posts about all the countries I’ve been in so far and the cities/towns I’ve visited. Every place I’ve visited so far has been great in its own way, but something you learn about travel is that you get different vibes from cities, the locals, and the cuisine.

These posts are based solely off of my opinion and my experiences of course. I hope you enjoy!

First stop: Santiago, Chile

I arrived in Santiago on October 5th and waited for the arrival of my dear friend Adri from Colombia. Once we were reunited we looked for a way to our friend’s Lexie’s apartment who was kind enough to host us. The city itself was quite beautiful and had many parks to explore. The architecture had apparent European influence which was captivating. If you go to Santiago I highly recommend taking the free walking tours; it’s a great way to learn about the city and meet other travelers. They offer tours both in English and in Spanish leaving at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. that explore different areas of the city.

Adri and I ended up having a large group of friends in Santiago from the Intern Group office who were kind enough to give us great recommendations for places to go, clubs, and other things. This organization is how I had the opportunity to live in Medellin, Colombia a year and a half ago. If you know anyone looking for an international internship, look these guys up, you won’t regret it!

I was able to experience my first asado with these guys as well, which is basically a Chilean BBQ. Great food and new friends, what more could travelers ask for?

Second stop: Valparaiso, Chile

If you go to Santiago then you HAVE to take a 1.5-2 hour bus to Valparaiso which is a port city in Chile. My favorite bus company that we used in Chile was called Condor, they’re affordable, comfortable, and clean. It is by far one of my favorite places I’ve been so far. There is fantastic graffiti everywhere! They also have walking tours, too which I recommend. We took the tour with Paola from Spain and she was great. If you’re learning Spanish I recommend trying to take a walking tour in Spanish. Even though I may not have gotten all the information I felt like it was a good learning experience for me, plus worse case you can always switch groups if you really want to. Remember these tours are free, however, it’s encouraged to tip. Reminder these tour guides work really hard and do a great job so definitely give back a little bit even if you’re on a tight budget. I just have to warn you if you are trying to take a candid photo it might be a little hard with the wind, as seen below. But they turn out the best.

Third stop: La Serena, Chile

Adri heard about a really awesome star tour we could go on here so we hoped on a bus for 6 hours to head further north. I’ve never been extremely interested in the outer space, but I’m glad that we went on this tour. You definitely learn a lot about the planets, stars, and history of telescopes. We stayed at Hostal El Arbol for one night, it was comfortable, close to the bus station, and felt secure. It was also the first time on the trip that we were able to go on a beach and I must say it felt TERRIFIC.

Budget Advice:

One of the hardest things about Chile for me was how expensive it was. I knew this going in, but it’s still different when you’re actually there. The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone visiting Chile on a tight budget is to write down every expense! It may sound silly, but I’ve been doing this and it’s been so helpful. If you make categories it’s easier, too. Then you can add them up at the end of each country to plan for the next one to keep your budget in-tact. Some of my categories include; transportation, flights, food, accommodation, snacks, beverages, activities, and gifts. Basically, you want to be specific to avoid the confusion of what you’re spending your money on.

Some things to try in Chile:

So as far as cuisine goes I wasn’t very impressed with the local cuisine in Chile, however, since you’re there you have to try it. One of the dishes they’re known for is a completo which is a hot dog with avocado, tomato, mayonnaise, and cheese. There are different variations, but those are usually the standard ingredients.

Something about Chile that surprised me was how many sushi restaurants there were in the city and word on the street is that they even deliver. If you can snag a lunch deal it’s not too expensive and the quality isn’t half bad.

Their signature drink is called a ‘terremoto’ which means earthquake in Spanish. I swear guys after one of those you feel like you’re IN a terremoto! For those of you that know me well, you know I don’t really drink so the fact that I finished it means you should be proud. A terremoto is made up of white wine, grenadine, and pineapple ice cream.

Overall Chile was a great experience and I thought it was a great country to start the trip off with. I cannot thank the staff of the Intern Group enough for their hospitality, especially Lexie! You guys helped make Chile so memorable, you all know where to go if you need help navigating through Portland.

Halloween 2016

Have you ever been to Chile? What was your favorite city and why? What surprised you the most about Chile?

**Coming next: how we made our way to Patagonia.

What is WDS?

Posted on August 24, 2016 by balancedfootprints

Some of you may be familiar with hearing about this event on snapchat or other form of social media. Well let me tell you, you will never meet a more upbeat crowd. That’s not meant to be biased since I’m in it, but it’s the truth! The attendees of this conference are insanely kind and personable individuals.

Here’s the run down of this conference. Basically it’s a place for people who want to live a unconventional lifestyle in a conventional world. The week is jammed packed with activities, speakers, workshops, etc. It’s great for building a national network, expanding your comfort zone, and learning about yourself.

(Not all my photos in this post are from the conference, because I took it as a chance to unplug).

But I wanted to share my experience with you all. So this is my second year attending this event, last year I went with my Dad when we were phased with the question What would your 8 year old self think?

The conference has been over for about a week and a half now. Nonetheless I felt this overwhelming sense of joy and blissfulness after my second workshop. Prior to this conference I’ve been on the struggle recently with learning to slow down and declutter my mind. It’s just been one of those insane busy months. But while attending this conference my goal was to mainly be there and only there. Mind, body, and spirit.

Last year when I attended with my Dad it was a great experience, but I also knew that I wasn’t fully invested in the networking portion. My Dad was my crutch and I felt like I didn’t need to be as social. But this year I wanted to make it different. Some things happened to where I would be attending this alone and although I was a little nervous I was also really excited for this opportunity for growth! During the conference I learned I am not as social as I thought I was. I think because I was a bit overwhelmed. But this was a good taste of what October is going to be like, for those of you who don’t know I’m traveling through South and Central America alone, wish me luck!

But I want to key in on some brilliant ideas that were shared during the “Science of Happiness” academy. For all my quote nerds out there, here is one of the best that stuck out.

I can’t believe I’ve never heard this quote before, because for anyone that knows me they know my life goal is to meet Jim Carrey and that I love quotes!

Generally whenever talking about society as a whole unit the conclusion is that everyone is selfish. But what if we dropped the negative connotation to that? Or better yet, what if we worked on ourselves more? It goes back to the cliché saying ‘if you’re not happy with yourself how can you be happy with someone else?’

Now I can only speak from my experience, but in The States we are not taught to love ourselves. It’s not really a topic taught in school and if it was I missed that, whoops. It’s often times that we are our toughest critic, I’m a firm believer in that. But I’m also a firm believer in being patient with yourself in your growth process and to make sure you realize you’re always learning and growing through every experience in life. The beautiful times and the ugly.

This year I felt like WDS focused more on personal growth than last year. Which was kind of ironic for me, because of the endeavor I’m about to embark on in a month.

The academy speaker of “The Science of Happiness” was Vanessa Van Edwards and she broke up our growing processes into two categories. On the left side you have a resumé building activities and on the right side you have the eulogy building activities. Usually we focus on the left side, because it’s what society has told us to focus on and somehow that turns into our ‘legacy’.

But les-be honest; life isn’t about how much money you make or the fancy luxury items you have. It’s about the meaningful relationships in your life, how you treated others, and living with passion. At least it is to me.

It’s scary to think about why we were put on this Earth. I mean it’s not really an answer you can figure out in a simple afternoon. But we definitely don’t put the amount of effort this topic deserves into our daily, monthly, or even yearly routines. I’m just as guilty as anyone else.

But imagine a world if more people knew their self worth or truly lived out their dreams?
I definitely don’t have my life all figured out, who does? But I know it’s more of a priority now than it was before. And that I’m more focused on personal growth than ever before.

The best part of this new feeling? I’m not feeling guilty for it. I think society has made us view self reflection/personal growth as a ‘selfish act’. But if it’s done peacefully and without harming others then is it really bad?

What has helped you grow into the person you are today? What’s on your resumé side and eulogy side of your chart?

“You’re too soft”

Posted on August 2, 2016 by balancedfootprints

Let me start out by saying what’s on your newsfeed isn’t actually someone’s reality. It’s the highlight reel.

These past couple months I’ve been fighting a darkness, something that effected what I thought were the strongest parts of me. Would I take it back? No, because it’s made me more patient, more honest, and have the desire to be kinder since I’ve been on the other end of the spectrum now.

Don’t get me wrong some really great milestones have happened the past couple months. From graduating with my associates degree to turning the big 21 (check out #sobersammy21 for the best of the best photos). It can be exhausting flipping the happy and sad switch off and on so much. But that’s when something magical happens, growth.

My heart is so full of appreciation and amazement by the love received from family and friends. Which gives me more motivation to keep improving my whole being every day. I can finally say that I’m starting to feel joy and happiness in the deepest parts of my heart and soul again. This happiness has never felt so pure. Looking around there is so much to be thankful for, even in the middle of a storm.

Missing: Eric and Annie

“You’re too fucking soft Sam.”I could hear the coldness in his voice as those words came out. It got me thinking. Many of us harden ourselves due to past experiences and how cruel the world can be at times.

My response: “How do you expect me to be?” I’ll keep my softness, thanks.

Let your past make you better, not bitter.

I’ve realized that when you open yourself up to people yes it makes you vulnerable, but it’s worth it. Some may see having a big heart as a negative quality, because it can be scary and at times hurtful. However, I would rather have a big heart than feel numb towards people or experiences. It reminds us that we are human, to care so much about someone or something, what an incredible reminder to have. You have to find the strength to not do harm upon others, just because you had it done to you. Take a trip back to kindergarten when your teacher told you “two wrongs don’t make a right.”

I find it sad that some people go through the motions of staying closed off. Letting the darkness in the world absorb them and let good opportunities pass them by. I’m not saying put yourself out there on a silver platter, but be selective. The world will always have bad people, but it will also always have good people, too.

The past several months I’ve learned a lot about people and the importance of healthy relationships. It’s about growing your garden. If you neglect to water your garden eventually it will die, duh. Life has a tendency of getting in the way. Even though it’s all very simple, it comes down to making an effort. In life people are so afraid to count on others, because it shows vulnerability. Although life is a personal journey, happiness is only real when shared. Growing into the best version of yourself is the journey and the people who you surround yourself with will be part of the destination. I talked with my best friend the other day and she reminded me that some people don’t want to accept your happiness and you can’t do anything to change that. Life is too short to spend time worrying about things that are out of your control.

It’s all been a great learning experience. A life lesson that was necessary in this journey. I have learned to have faith in the process. The process allows the right people to stay in our lives while the others quickly fade out.

You have to be confident enough with what you bring to the table to eat alone, if necessary. To demand nothing less than what you deserve.

It’s all part of the journey friends, the good and the bad. Nonetheless, it’s better to die with memories rather than dreams.

What was the kindest gesture you did today? What makes you feel the happiest about yourself and about life?

Cheaper Than Therapy

Posted on November 23, 2015 by balancedfootprints

This is the quickest turn around that I have ever done with blogging. So you guys can only imagine how excited I am to share this experience with you! Yesterday was one of the best hiking experiences of my life. With a grin plastered on my face, I was so overwhelmed with joy. It’s days like these that remind me how amazing nature really is.

After having a well deserved nap, I was flipping through the photos this morning and just knew I had to write something about this trip. As a reminder the photos do not do this place justice. For more photos check out my Instagram .

We had some road food, good tunes, and adventure on our mind, what more could two ladies ask for? As we made our way through Mt. Hood National Park we felt completely in our element, surrounded by all this unbelievable beauty. No cellphone service, evergreen trees for days, and fresh air and freedom. The busy world was finally shut out.

At one point we were stuck in construction for a little bit but we weren’t even upset, because of the view. I mean how could you be?

That’s when I knew that the daily problems that we all experience are so minimal in the grand scheme of things. I couldn’t help but feel this way through our whole trip. Not a care in the world, just captivated by the winter wonderland we had found. It’s times like these that make life worth living.

Before this year I have never been much of a hiker, looking back I feel like a damn fool. But something has changed, my eagerness to explore the Pacific Northwest and experience as much of it as I can before I go backpacking is in overdrive! It’s moments like these that make me feel so alive. The numbness in our legs, fingers, and toes yesterday can be validations of that. Haha.

With food on our mind we made our way back to Portland. Having no shame in your food game, we hit up one of the best burrito joints in town, La Bonita. It never disappoints.

So let’s just say after writing this post it makes me wish that I could redo Saturday all over again. Because it was so incredible and full exemplifies that surrounding yourself in nature is truly cheaper than therapy.

How do you recharge? Have you ever hiked in the snow? What’s therapy do you prefer, retail or nature?

The Finished Draft

Posted on November 18, 2015 by balancedfootprints

Honestly this post has been in my drafts section for about a month now. I have been struggling with finding the passion to write it, but can’t seem to let it go. I’m determined to finish this dammit!

So through all my frustrations I decided to turn to one of my favorite bloggers for inspiration. Who recently did a piece on creativity, perfect timing. In her post she had a Ted Talk video that I couldn’t have come across at a better time.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk about the Elusive Creative Genius in us all was brilliant. One of the questions that stuck with me was “should we be afraid of the work we feel like we were put on this Earth to do?” I feel like if you have no emotions towards your work, then how will you bring passion into it? Part of the excitement about doing something creative is not knowing what’s coming next. And in this day and age I feel like there is a creative aspect to everything.

My mind has been overwhelmed with skeptical thoughts recently. It could be the seasons changing or possibly the fact that I quit my job to start my own venture, whaaaaat?! That’s a little side note. Whatever the reason is, I’m getting my mindset back on track! So many emotions go through my mind when someone asks me what I’m doing with my life. I mean I’m a 20-year-old adult in a world that says I should be going down this path of getting a fancy degree, settling my roots, buying materialistic things I can’t actually afford. And yet I can’t bring myself to do any of those things. While education is important, but at the right time in your life. But the idea of going to a four year university makes me cringe. It works for some people and that’s great. Just knowing myself, it’s not for me. I plan to gain experience in a particular field, before I go make a hefty investment.

Anyways, this post began with the thought of significance and how it plays a role into personal existence. How could my story help people? I mean I’m only one person out of 7 billion people and growing.

But then it started to come together. Anyone who is ‘successful’ right now is being recognized for what they practice for years in silence. There isn’t just ONE way to become successful, in fact copying someone else can only get you so far. Eventually you have to start coming up with your own ideas buddy.

All it takes is a simple shift in the mind about why something CAN work. I believe in myself therefore I know that any direction my venture goes I will be okay. I can look back saying yay or whoops instead of always wondering about the ‘what ifs’.

We tend to be skeptical about people’s creative paths and less skeptical about the literacy paths. Why? Elizabeth mentions it a little bit in her Ted Talk. I know for me that it’s I think being a creative genius is one of the highest forms of intelligence. If you think about it, you constantly have to come up with new ideas on how to stand out. That takes a lot of skill, hard work, and dedication. And I know that I can get caught up comparing myself to other people. Whether that is other blogging, photographers, or aspiring entrepreneurs. Recently though I’ve been reminding myself to be happy with where I am, but to keep striving to improve.

Part of the reason for this blog is for it to be a way for my friends and family to stay up to date with me when I go on my backpacking trip. The other part is to use it as an outlet to help me keep sane. In a world that is constantly loud, it’s nice to slow down, listen to some Ben Howard, and just let your fingers do the talking.

We all enter this planet alone and we leave it alone. The difference is what happens in between. I may be one woman, but I will continue to wake up each and everyday aspiring to make a positive difference in the world.

My soul craves the sights of new places, helping the world, and expressing myself in a creative way. We have to feed our souls, otherwise we will die without passion. It’s time to silence the critic inside and just prove the sucker wrong!

We have to start embracing our true self instead of only certain parts of it. We also have to realize that we are significant and can be the change we want to see in the world.

And just like that, a months work comes together full circle. Proud moment!

What does your inner voice say? Do you have a creative outlet? What work were you put on this Earth to do?

Are you really busy or just distracted?

Posted on September 21, 2015 by balancedfootprints

The way that some people make you feel is incredible. I’m not talking about in the romantic sense right now, but how someone can empower, motivate, and encourage you. A couple of days ago I had a meeting with a local entrepreneur in Portland whom I’ve been ecstatic to meet since June! It finally happened and it couldn’t have come at a better time!

People often say “it’s all about timing.” Well ain’t that the truth! Right now the daily struggle has been SO REAL for me. Life happens so quickly that we can feel so busy during the day, but in reality all we did was crank out a bunch of emails. But did those emails move you towards your goal(s)? It’s easy to get caught up in the habitual nature of things, I’m guilty of it, too. You know what I mean, all those tasks you have to do that make you sound so grown up; meetings, emails, conference calls, etc. Which don’t get me wrong, they are necessary as long as they are steps of progress. Which points me to my next question. Are you really busy working towards your goals or is your life just really cluttered?

This past month has been so eye opening! I have been doing so many personal challenges that I wouldn’t normally do! I’ve been waking up earlier, early enough to do a sunrise hike even, which I highly recommend! I gave up watching television, yes even the holy mecca Netflix. I took up reading books again (who would’ve thought) and have been working out regularly again! And lemme tell you it feels great, no you know what it feels AWESOME!

Although it hasn’t been full of sun shines and rainbows, the stress has gotten pretty real at times. But honestly if you’re not getting a set back every once in awhile then you’re playing it too safe.

We all fear failure of some form, but the ugly truth is it’s inevitable if you want to live a life worth living. It’s easy to get caught up in the motions and bury the activities that excite us the most. For me that is blogging, the act of writing and publishing something, it feels so great! To some it may seem so simple and easy, but for me it’s an act of vulnerability. Which is part of the reason I can take so long to publish a piece. Then I realize the biggest obstacle I need to get around is myself. From another encounter I had this week I was reminded that through sustained effort comes success. So even the smallest steps get you that much closer to the big milestones!

Reaching out to someone who has been where I’ve been and is where I want to be someday is so inspiring! When it comes down to it, it’s important to focus on our goals and what we really want to accomplish with our 24 hours. That’s the beauty of life, we are the authors of this book.

So on that note I thank you Lynn, you’re a badass woman and helped me refocus on what I want to do with my life. So cheers to that, happy Sunday Funday ya’ll!

Who inspires you to be better everyday? Do you hold yourself back from trying something new? Why or why not?

Die Empty

Posted on August 20, 2015 by balancedfootprints

What do you want out of this life? I have been asking this question to a few people for the past week and some of the answers were eye opening. They varied from materialistic items, states of mind, and traveling. My follow up question was, “how do you plan to accomplish that?” That’s when it became a challenge. Some were dumbfounded and others took a few moments to think about it.

Todd Henry, is the great man that inspired this thought in my mind. To live a full life and to die empty. Life is funny in the fact that we all suffer similarly, which makes us all related in a way. But what makes us all unique are the solutions we come up with to our struggles. The items we accumulate throughout life don’t make it wonderful. It just feeds our temporary satisfaction until the next best thing comes along. It’s through our actions, how we make others feel, and if we really go after our dreams that give us the feelings of overwhelming joy.

Some people get so caught up in trying to have the best thing to show on their news feed, but in reality what does that do for you? Instead we should all be trying to lift one another up, by encouraging one another to live each day as our last! For too long people have been taking their most precious dreams, goals, and ideas to the grave. The time is now to change that. No matter how small or insignificant you think it might be, the time is now! Our ideas don’t come to us out of random. They are the passions that are embedded deep within our souls, waiting for us to take action!

The most valuable place on earth is a grave yard, because that is where you will find so many dreams and goals that were never accomplished. The time for wishing has passed, the time for doing is NOW.

One of the greatest questions you could ask yourself is; what is standing in my way of living my passion(s)? Then it’s up to you to get over those hurdles. In a perfect world what do you need to have happen to live the life of your dreams. We create our biggest excuses, because we fear failure. We see failure as a sign of weakness instead of a sign of strength and bravery. Failure is not the opposite of success, but part of it. We forget to remind ourselves though; no matter how bad it is or how bad it gets, I’m going to make it.

It’s all about the state of mind. Don’t die with your best work inside of you. You have to start saying yes to life!

What are your passions? What gets your heart racing, blood pumping? Are you going to die empty?

What would your 8 year old self think?

Posted on August 12, 2015 by balancedfootprints

If your 8 year old self could see you now, would they slap you or clap for you?

A couple of weeks ago I attended the World Domination Summit with my Dad in Portland, Oregon. I wasn’t fully aware of what this conference entailed other than it was for individuals aspiring to live a unconventional lifestyle in a conventional world.

I was blown away and wasn’t expecting it to hit so many nerves. The speakers varied from one extreme to the other. At one point I was almost in tears from laughing so hard. On the other end of the spectrum I was almost crying because several speakers spoke of such intimate experiences. Needless to say it was a weekend full of emotions.

In the end, all the speakers messages all came together full circle. To not let the fight inside you die, that you can do anything your heart desires, and be true to who you really are.

One of the speakers spoke of the concept, “what would your 8 year old self think of you right now?” Looking back, when I was 8 years old I thought I could do ANYTHING. Believe me some ideas were brighter than others, but the possibilities were endless! And why does this beautiful courage die? Because we choose to give in to what we ‘think’ we should be doing. And that voice of the little boy or girl inside us dies due to all the adult responsibilities we decide to pick up.

Who ever said we are all on the same path? We’re not. Life is meant to be an individual game, yet we play as if we are competing for materialistic things, likes on social media, or highest salary. We get caught up in the rat race with everyone else that we forget who we really are. We drown out the little boy or girl who just wanted a happy ending like all the Disney movies we use to watch. We try to get everyone to like us, but in reality that won’t ever be the case.

We’re all guilty of trying to win people over that will never like our voice. Which they don’t have to, because let’s be honest, trying to make everyone like you is the quickest way to hate yourself. We need to get back to living with passion and integrity.

We only have one life to live, why not do something extraordinary with it?! And none of us make it out alive anyways so all the other nonsense doesn’t really matter in the end.

We live for the weekends and pray that the days would go faster, literally WISHING away our lives. How pathetic. Instead we should be wishing for more time to get out and do something remarkable! Now is the time to start living the life that you don’t have to take a vacation from, because each day is glorious!

So my question is, what would you 8 year old self think of you right now? What do you have to change in your lifestyle to be happy? Are you willing to make the change? Why or why not?

One of the highlights of this conference was breaking the record for the most people putting on lipstick at the same time. I think blue is your color Pops.