At this point, I see adventure as a way of life.
I have vivid memories of my 6 year old self packing up a backpack with juice boxes, crackers, and my favorite companion at the time - a little stuffed animal turtle - and venturing out into the woods.
It’s no wonder that my love of nature and hunger for exploration led me to some really epic life experiences. At this point, I’ve trekked many mountains, done ropes courses high up in the trees, repelled down rock cliffs, travelled across country and ocean with everything I owned inside a backpack (no surprise), skydived over tropical mountains and waterfalls, bit an octopus between the eyes, hiked a hundred mile wilderness, and so much more.
My zest for life has always been alive. When I first came to Maui, I scored a work exchange gig on a tropical fruit farm, living in a tent in the jungle and helping with the land. Each morning I woke up with the sunrise, walked down to the beach, and swam in the waves. Throughout the week my fellow wwoofers (world wide organic farmers) and I had bonfires at the ocean - singing, playing music, and just soaking up every moment of being young, wild, and free.
A couple years later, another adventure took me to the Philippines, where I was involved in a volunteer group that was helping to empower survivors of human trafficking - an experience I will never forget. That’s another thing about me. I'm also very passionate about giving back wherever I go (I think they call it voluntourism now: traveling and volunteering…that’s my shit).
I think it’s really important to give space for your sense of adventure and passion - whatever makes you feel alive, that's a powerful fuel. I also get that living in this fast paced world, where most of us are addicted to being busy, it’s hard to find time for fun. I went through this too.
After I got back to Maui from the Philippines, I settled into the daily grind routine. Struggle. Hard working jobs, living paycheck to paycheck, burning out, never getting much sunlight, and never having time or energy for anything I really loved to do.
It went on like this for a few years, and I became depressed and angry. I felt like my time was slipping away, and that life was working against me. I was totally disconnected from my passion. And the worse part, it seemed like for everyone around me, this was just normal. I felt guilty for feeling like I wanted more out of my life, but I knew that there had to be a different way.
And that inner knowing set me on a journey to find it.
Because I was working inside all the time, I missed being in nature. So I got an idea to start applying to all the outdoor/conservation jobs I could find. I made an adventure resume (involving all my hikes, travels, and worldly contribution work), which was pretty fun. Within a couple weeks, I got a response from this hiking tour company, who take people jumping off waterfalls in the jungle. Better yet, they even do conservation work around the island - it was everything I was looking for. So I quit my food industry job and I said a whole hearted yes to being a hiking tour guide.
Currently, I’ve been a guide for a little over a year, and it’s led to such huge growth and expansion within me - a big sense of freedom. Being outside everyday, swimming, cliff jumping, forging for fruits in the wild, sharing legends and stories, and meeting people from all over the world - there's nothing like it. No two days are the same and this is what I love about this job - in a lot of ways it's perfect for me, and I’m so incredibly thankful.
I think it's possible, though, to be filled with extraordinary amounts of gratitude for what you have, and to also know that at the same time, your heart yearns for more.
You see, I’m an artist, and I've always loved painting, writing, and creating - it’s my way of expressing my experiences in the world. For the past 12 years, I’ve had this dream to work for myself: to create my own platform where I can just be myself, create what I want, be financially free, have my time be unlimited - and be able to afford travelling the world, having my own homestead, and living my life to the fullest.
This is a huge dream, and it's a big reason why I started this platform. In so many ways, this is my revival.
Another reason I created this is because I love uplifting and encouraging others. I have so much to share with the world, so much that I’ve been holding onto for way too long. I’ve fallen absolutely in love with writing and sharing my story, and I hope to share my art and music with the world too. My vision is so big and strong, and it used to feel impossible. But now I’m making it happen, and it feels fucking amazing.
I’m so grateful that I have a fun and low-stress job that is acting as my investor (helping me pay my bills) while I build this up. Savarah Studio has my heart and soul, and while it may take some time, I know she will just keep rising.
If you are reading this and you resonate, or you are inspired by my story, this is your invitation to commit to your passions, whatever that looks like. It might take a few adjustments as your life rearranges around you to support your new priorities, but maybe it’ll take a shorter amount of time, and less work than you think.
All that’s really needed is for you to say yes to your heart. What is it calling you to do? To be? Put out that intention, and get really excited about the possibility of a new life.
Then, ride the wave wherever it takes you!
-Sarah
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Note From Me:
*As I reflect back on experiences I’ve had throughout my life, I find that it brings me great joy to put them into words - to voice what I’ve been through, and to also express any insights learned from each one. Sharing stories seems to satisfy this inner yearning to leave my mark - and at the very least, it always leaves me feeling lighter and more true to myself. So that is why I write, and my intention is to uplift, entertain, and maybe even inspire others to share their own experiences with the world. We all have a story.
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For more stories and reflections involving some relatable life topics, check out other blog posts→
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