It has been quite a while since my last blog post – back in 2022, to be exact-and so much has transpired since then. Today feels like the perfect moment to start putting my thoughts into words as I begin this new chapter of my life.
My previous blog focused on my experiences I was having on my travels, and it was wonderful. I cherished every moment of it and the adventures I encountered. However after a few months of being on the road I began to feel a persistent urge to be alone. I felt that I needed some solitary time to heal on a deeper level and that’s exactly what I sought out. I loaded the few belongings I had into my car, bid farewell to my partner, and made my way back to Scotland alone. It was January 2023 when I returned ready to confront the next chapter of my life. I found myself without a home, deep down though I felt certain that I was making the right choice.
My sister kindly offered me her spare room while I figured out my next steps and housing plans. In that time I did a lot of meditation, journaling and personal reflection. I also confronted some of my fears, including the challenge of travelling alone.
My initial travel experience was a weekend getaway in England, which came as a package that included transportation, accommodation and meals. Surprisingly, sitting on the bus alone while everyone else was with companions wasn’t as daunting as I had imagined. During my stay, I dined solo at the restaurant and even attended the entertainment events provided. That weekend significantly boosted my confidence and taught me that my fears were primarily rooted in my thoughts. The day after I returned I eagerly booked my next trip, this time abroad.
In March of 2023, just a month after my first trip, I set off to Spain for a week-long yoga retreat. This time, I felt no nerves about travelling alone; everything went smoothly and it turned out to be one of the best weeks of my life. I spent the week with four other strangers who quickly became good friends. We started our morning with yoga on the beach, then returned to the retreat centre for breakfast before heading out for sightseeing during the day. In the evenings, we practised more yoga. One night, we visited a hippie camp for a biodanza celebration in honour of the spring solstice, which was a magical experience that made me feel truly connected to the place. This week of yoga inspired my next big decision: to become a yoga teacher.
I enrolled in an intensive three-week yoga teaching training course in Spain for May. When May arrived, I set off for Spain once more. Unfortunately, my flight was cancelled and it wasn’t until 24 hours later that I could catch another flight to my destination. I was a little bit anxious about arriving a day late and worried that others might of already formed connections. However, I needn’t have stressed, as everyone was incredibly welcoming. There were three other girls in the course, all from Germany, but they spoke excellent English, so there was no language barrier. It was quite challenging, but every moment was worth it. I truly enjoyed those three weeks and returned home as a certified yoga teacher.
Three weeks prior to my trip to Spain, I relocated to my new residence. Its a park home nestled among the hills, near the water and teeming with wildlife – perfect for me. Although there was plenty of work ahead I relished the challenge and started shaping it to my vision. It felt wonderful to have my own home again and to start establishing some roots.
In July, I travelled again this year, this time enjoying a relaxing holiday in Greece with my sister and niece. We had a fantastic time, and that week spent basking in the sun and warmth prepared me for the long winter to come.
The following eight months were spent living a somewhat reclusive life, where I found myself alone often. This period was dedicated to reflection and healing. Although it wasn’t always easy, I felt it was important for me to process my life experiences and engage in the necessary work for healing and transformation. During this time, I also worked and wrote a book, which is now fully edited and ready for publication. A lot shifted within during this period: the transformation was underway.
As spring 2024 approached, I felt ready to embrace the external changes I needed to make and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I sense that I have transformed and feel so much better for it. My confidence and self-belief have grown, and I’m moving forward with additional changes. I’ve started to be more expressive online-something that use to terrify me. I launched a TikTok page (Reiki.readings) and regularly post there, along with updates on Instagram (Reiki.readings) and Facebook (Diane Carole Therapies). The most daunting challenge was sharing my face and voice, but I’ve begun making videos on YouTube (Diane Carole) without editing them or criticising myself for mistakes. I leave the imperfections in because I believe it shouldn’t be perfect when I’m not. I speak from the heart, and if those videos can help even one person, then I’ve accomplished my goal. I embrace who I am and have learned to love myself, flaws and all. I want to live my life to the fullest and am grateful for every experience that I have. Im eagerly looking forward to the rest of 2024 and excited to what lies ahead.
One piece of advice I would give is to confront your fears and pursue your dreams; you might be amazed by how you feel when you take this step.
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