When I was 24 I travelled to Thailand. I remember sitting on a mini bus wearing freshly laundered clothes (an absolute luxury at the time) on my way to the next stop on the backpacker trail. Air breezing through my hair, stunning scenery rolling past outside; paddy fields, mountains, signs adorned by the beautiful Thai script. I was surrounded by great people and was relishing the five or six hours of travel time.
Despite numb bums and the continuous concertina battle I fought to fold my legs into tiny footwells, I loved long distance journeys I experienced on that trip. I loved having so long to think, to observe, and to absorb the surroundings. Soundtracked by stunning music on my iPad, it was bliss.
This morning, Hannah aged 30, running along the Brighton beach I was reminded of that time in Thailand. The memory came out of nowhere and rippled through my body like a warm wave. It makes me realise that all of my memories are still stored back there in my mind and by remembering experiences I can tap back into the power and energy I felt back then.
When I was 24 I was incredibly care free, I took risks and lived life hungry for whatever was going to stimulate the senses. Six years later I’ve perhaps got a little more cautious, I’ve no idea why.
I want to get back to that carefree, risk-taking version of me. What I’m now committed to doing is using that memory, along with all the millions of other memories I’ve got stored, to re-populate my body with risk taking, seizing the moment vibes. I know that’s where I’m most creative, most fun to be around and certainly most alive. And I promise I’ll let you know how that goes.
So climb on, give it a go, re-kindle an awesome memory and consciously feel the emotions that come up as you remember. I’m not suggesting living in the past, I’m saying use your toolbox of memories to fuel you when you’re in a rut, or feeling confused. Step into the feeling that comes with the memory and see what your problem looks like from that old, (potentially more carefree!) perspective.
