Comments on: The Pursuit of Happiness

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 30 May 2017 23:05:19 +0000

In reply to Martin. "The imaginary suitcase stuffed with thoughts." What a beautiful phrase. Thanks for reading Martin!

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 19 May 2017 11:02:23 +0000

Wonderful post! Indicates pretty well how heavy the imaginary suitcase stuffed with thoughts can be sometimes. The only home you have when living on the road is probably your soul. Sometimes it feels bright and airy, sometimes gloomy and stuffy. But in the end it’s up to us and how we arrange this “home within”…
It can be tricky to adapt to the pace of life, so slow down and stay curious and bold!! ?

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 04:31:55 +0000

In reply to Holly. Thanks Holly. Actually, I was thinking about this post recently... I've been slowly working on a kind of updated version. So hopefully you'll love that one too <3

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 05:15:52 +0000

I’m a long time reader, and more recently a sometimes- commenter as well 🙂

As much as I love your blog for the travel stories, its articles like this that make it even more special. There are a few articles you’ve written that I have bookmarked for myself to read over and over. This is one of them – whenever I’m going through a bought of anxiety/panic attacks, and struggling with the fact that I’m struggling despite having a pretty great life – I come read this. Its so cathartic to see someone else work through similar feelings and thoughts so honestly on paper.

Thank you for doing what you do, and for sharing both your shiny and not so shiny sides of travel and life.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:33:51 +0000

In reply to Char. Hey Char, this was such a lovely comment to read. Not because you've been struggling with a bout of depression, of course -- but because it seems you are on the upswing and it means so much to me to know that my words here have provided you with some comfort. Wishing you the best of luck getting back to smiling again!

By: Char

Char — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 02:04:33 +0000

I loved reading this post. I stumbled upon your blog a few months back while searching different things about diving in an attempt to distract myself from my own bought of depression. It was the first time I’d ever encountered anything like it and, like you, couldn’t understand why I was feeling this way. I even felt horrible for allowing myself to feel depressed when I have such a fortunate life. But turns out I didn’t really have a say in how I felt on this one. Anyway, long story short your blog helped to distract me when I was feeling my lowest and now, as some signs are creeping their way back in I am so thankful that I fell upon this post. You put into words so well of what has been muddled in my brain for a while now. Nice to know some people really do understand, thank you for bringing such a positive light!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 02:57:39 +0000

In reply to MCVK. Not everyone understands -- it's nice to hear from those who do. That's why I love this community! Thanks for your comment, MCVK.

By: MCVK

MCVK — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 00:12:16 +0000

I sympathize with you, Alex. As a child, I spent every summer traveling with my parents for at least two months, often to several countries and we averaged 25,000 miles of travel each summer. Once I grew up and got a job, I had to travel extensively to meetings in the U.S. and other countries. When I was in another country, I always took the opportunity to vacation somewhere else before coming home again. It was not glamorous at all, it was WORK. One of the tips I was given was to bring something from home with me wherever I went. I chose my pillow, which is soft down and very thin. To this day, I don’t leave home without it. I don’t know where you’ve been in South America, but their fish is fantastic! Poor people there eat lots of carbs, but you don’t have to, and the fruit is fabulous. Try weaning yourself from sweets by finding extremely dark chocolate which is almost bitter, and then switching to no-sugar sweets (except fruit), as a diabetic would do. Guayaquil is a large port, so you should be able to eat well there. And pace yourself – take breaks. Good luck.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:31:13 +0000

In reply to Jessica of Curiosity Travels.

Ugh, I know how you feel… I always hesitate to tell people I’m trying to get healthy because it starts a chorus of “You don’t need to lose weight!” and I’m all, “But I do need to stay sane!” Wishing you the best of luck, my friend 🙂

By: Jessica of Curiosity Travels

Jessica of Curiosity Travels — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 09:57:54 +0000

I love your honesty in all your posts Alex. And oh boy have I struggled with this as well. Right now I am so content and excited to be in Madrid, but I look back on the times when I was in Korea and I was so depressed. My boyfriend and I met in Korea, where he was really happy, and now here in Spain he is having a hard time. It’s a total flip flop. It makes me think about the reasons people get down, and all the factors that play into it. Another interesting factor is even though I love Madrid, I miss home and can’t wait to visit this summer. Are we just spoiled (I don’t think so) or is it something else at play?

Also- yup, I understand the feeling like a blob and I just read your weight gain post. It got so bad for me that just in the last 3 weeks I’ve become a gym freak. I’m taking back my health and focusing on what I eat. It does get hard though because I feel like I can’t tell people that I want to lose weight because they will be annoyed that I think I’m fat haha. I just sure hope I can get my act together before summer! 😉