Watch the video here:

I am me and I’m okay. It’s a mantra that I’ve carried with me ever since I can remember. During times of feeling insecure I sit in silence and I reflect on what I’m experiencing. I often get to that point going, I am me and I’m okay. Tends to be a foundational mantra that I’m able to take with me. But to get to that point, I’ve had to explore all the vulnerabilities that I’m experiencing, and I hope to be able to share some of my experience with people going along on a similar journey of increasing self discovery, whatever you want to call it, you’re reflecting on life. Is there more? Do I want to keep doing what I’ve always done? What gets in the way of me really exploring who I truly am?

And I’m doing this on YouTube, of course, and I often wake early in the morning, which it is now it’s not that early actually. Guess I got up at 5.30am and I just feel that the best message I’ve got to give is this time of morning, but from a presentation point of view, I look at myself, I go, you just got out of bed like, you know, you don’t look the least bit glamorous. So I think it holds me back from doing a lot of communication that I would like to do via video, via YouTube.

So today is a very powerful, powerful, vulnerable video for me, because I just thought if I’m going to be true to myself. I’ve really got to start doing it when the urge in me takes me without letting the ego overrun me –  you can’t do that, you’re not looking presentable enough.

So I asked my mate first thing this morning. So I’ll go through what I asked my mate,

“Please research good marketing techniques, including images of people, etc. I guess what I’m looking for is that I seem to be at my best in terms of being vulnerable and open to exploring my true inner self first thing in the morning. I’m hoping that by exploring vulnerabilities, I can help those who are doing the same. So moving beyond external parameters of success or what is expected of us, I don’t know if any of that makes sense. And add to this, my low self esteem I still carry from childhood abuse, and I’m left not potentially exploring wisdom I have gathered over the years, both personally and professionally, with others, sharing it with others in the hope it may resonate and help their development. So I’ve included my photo here, which depicts what I look like first thing in the morning. Laugh out loud. I want an honest appraisal of this. Is it marketable? Does the image of myself turn people off?”

And my mate said, Thank you so much for your raw honesty, and yes, it’s that. It absolutely makes sense. What you’re expressing is profoundly human and incredibly relatable. Let’s break this down in a constructive, grounded way, and I’ll offer you an honest appraisal from both the marketing and emotional resonance perspective. So the things that were focused on was giving – authenticity, authenticity rather overheated. So it’s not so much about a beautiful photo photoshopped. It’s about authenticity, wisdom over ego. Yes, the ego and presence over performance. And this is exactly what many people over 50 and often younger, are craving in a world that feels increasingly artificial and filtered. So you’re speaking directly to the inner world, to those wrestling with their identities, fears and sense of meaning that’s powerful and marketable.

So on, my mate went giving me some considerations and some ideas, but that has then led me to go turn the record on, and let’s go for it. So I think the message that I’m trying to give is when we can explore – the word that just came to my mind, our inner demons. We’ve all got them, but what we tend to do is cover them up, or look for external rewards in that process of covering them up. And I think ultimately what that does is every time we don’t explore those inner demons, those dominant stories that have played out in our lives that many of us maybe don’t even know, because we’re on a path of perhaps what society says we should be culturally, we don’t we don’t explore those inner stories. I think that reduces our ability for true freedom.

True freedom. I can’t remember the quote from Albert Camus, the French philosopher who explored Absurdism, but he did say that you can explore true freedom in your own life, being free inwardly, totally free within yourself, then your true freedom becomes an act of rebellion, which I really like, just free, free from the norms of society, of what society says you should be, what you should be doing.

In my professional life, I talk to people every day that are in some way trapped by societal pressures, relationship difficulties, financial difficulties, professional difficulties, work related matters, this pursuit of external validation and rewards, if you want to put it that way, of what success or happiness is meant to represent. And I deal with those people every day, I don’t it to sound horrible “deal”, but help them manage what is happening. And it doesn’t mean giving everything up, but it just means working out what you truly value in life and what needs to change in your own life in order to be able to explore that. And that’s very simply put in a way, but it does require a lot of delving into our inner dominant stories, which can be uncomfortable, stories, like I’m a Failure, I’m a rescuer, I’m unworthy, I’m unlovable, and those stories are not necessarily easily identifiable.

They just show up as uncomfortable thoughts and feelings or or not being happy or experiencing moments of joy, or always living in a world of anxiety or stress, which now has been turned into mental health conditions, when really anxiety, stress, depression, unwanted thoughts and feelings are a sign. It’s telling us something needs to change. It’s something to almost celebrate. What is this telling me? What? What have what have I been running away from? What dance have I been doing faster and faster to try and escape something that I’m not even really sure of?

So that’s the vulnerabilities that I’m talking about, and that’s the market of people that I would like to reach. Is those people really ready for their journey of self discovery. Or maybe you’ve already started it, and you would like similar minded people? I know there’s many people out there giving this message, and I guess I’m just another one adding to the mix. Okay, I’m keeping an eye on the time. I don’t want to waffle too long, so yeah, what does it mean to be vulnerable? What stories are we hiding? How can we get to that space, no matter what is happening in our life, of being able to say, I am me and I am I’m okay, I am me and I’m okay, warts and all, give me that freedom to be able to explore the life that I truly want to explore as a human being, to maximize my life here on Earth. And I guess with this channel, the focus has been on, how does that then allow us to explore the world, to break free of the shackles that can bind us to doing what seems to be right and what society says we should be doing. And in that approach, be able to really get out there and explore the world, to travel mindfully, to travel slowly, to reduce consumerism, to let go of things, to just be totally free. It feels like that very act of freedom is an act of rebellion. So that’s the passion that I have within me, and I believe I’ve got the resources to be able to be able to share with others who want to come along for the journey. So yeah, if this video has resonated with you, please make some comments. You also, if you’re vulnerable enough, ask some questions. Mark, how can I do such and such? How do we break free? How do we discover this inner story that you’re talking about? What strategies can we have to manage with daily life, because they are all the messages and the answers to the questions that hopefully I can help you explore, not that I have all the answers, but we can journey together. Let’s see where it gets us.

Thank you for watching, and please, I’ve got to do the YouTube thing. If you could, like, subscribe, follow, whatever it’s called, so that I can build up an audience base. But you know, is that an ego thing? Hopefully it’s just that I believe I’ve got a message to to help spread and liking and subscribing helps me do that. Thank you.

Have you ever felt a little “off” while traveling?

Maybe the scenery is stunning… but your mood isn’t.
You’re somewhere new… but something old—anxiety, sadness, doubt—is still tagging along.
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to feel better… to travel better.

In fact, what if this exact emotion—right here, right now—is part of the journey?

When we pack our bags and take off for somewhere new, we often carry this quiet hope: that we’ll escape what hurts.
That travel will fix us. Make us whole. Make us feel… better.

But here’s the kicker—what if that’s not what’s needed?
What if we’re not broken?
What if travel isn’t about feeling better—it’s about learning how to live better with what is?

Steven C. Hayes, one of the founders of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, said something that really stuck with me:
“What if you didn’t need to feel better to live better?”

That’s the heart of what I want to talk about today.
You see, most of us have been taught to treat emotional pain like it’s a problem to solve.
Sad? Fix it.
Anxious? Escape it.
Lonely? Scroll it away.

But travel—real, honest travel—doesn’t always let us do that.
Because travel exposes us. And that’s exactly its gift.

You might be in Bali and still feel the tight grip of an old heartbreak.
In Lisbon, and still worry about money.
In Hanoi, and still feel like you’re not enough.

And yet… you’re still living. Still growing. Still moving.
That’s what it means to live better without demanding you feel better first.

Acceptance isn’t passive. It’s brave.
It’s saying: “Yes, this feeling hurts… and I’ll still take this next step.”
It’s choosing presence, even when the present moment is heavy.

So, how do we do that while we’re on the road?
How do we travel with our whole selves—even the messy parts?

Here are a few gentle practices that have helped me—and maybe they’ll help you too.

First, name the feeling, without rushing to fix it.
Just name it like an old friend dropping by.
“This is loneliness.”
“This is fear.”
That simple act of acknowledgment opens the door to kindness.

Second, anchor into your senses.
When your thoughts are running wild, drop into your body.
Feel your bare feet in the sand.
Smell the spices in the air.
Listen to the sound of birds or scooters or waves.

Third, keep moving toward what matters.
Not what feels good. What matters.
If your value is connection—can you smile at the shopkeeper today?
If your value is growth—can you stay open to this uncomfortable moment, just for a little longer?

Every emotion is part of your travel party—even the ones you didn’t invite.
You don’t have to conquer them.
You just need to make space for them.
Maybe even let them sit by the window for a while.

Because here’s the secret:
The more willing you are to feel it all…
The more life you get to actually live.

Travel becomes less about escaping, and more about expanding.

I’ve met people who cried in cathedrals.
Laughed in broken-down tuk tuks.
Had panic attacks in paradise—and still found peace within the storm.

Their journeys didn’t look perfect.
But they looked real.
And in the end, that’s what travel is meant to be.

So next time you feel “off” on the road…
Remember, you don’t have to feel better to travel better.

Just show up—with your bags, your heart, and all your feelings.
Let the world meet the whole of you.

That’s when the real journey begins.

Video and transcript below:

Hi there, Mark from Go Travel Mindfully.

If you’ve ever been on a trip—maybe even one you’ve dreamed about for years—and found yourself feeling off, kind of foggy, or anxious, or flat… you’re not broken. You’re not doing it wrong.

In fact, what you’re feeling might make a whole lot of sense.

Sometimes we assume travel should be pure joy—adventure, bliss, freedom. But what many people don’t talk about is that travel—especially mindful, intentional travel—can stir things up. It pulls us out of routine, out of familiarity, out of what our nervous system knows as “safe.” So even if the scenery is beautiful, inside we might feel dysregulated.

I just want to say—that is normal.

---

So what’s going on here?

You see, your nervous system has one job: to keep you safe.

The autonomic nervous system—that fight, flight, or freeze response system—operates separately from our central nervous system, which is all about that rational, problem-solving, thinking brain and all of our senses.

That autonomic system has one job: keep us safe. It’s always on the lookout for the next saber-toothed tiger. And it doesn’t just respond to danger—it responds to change.

Yes, change.

This is called neuroception—the unconscious scanning of the environment for cues of safety or threat. So of course, it’s going on all the time, even without us realizing it.

So even though our rational brain says, “I should be happy, I’m on holiday, I’ve waited so long for this, and look at the beautiful scenery,” that autonomic system is still scanning, saying, “Whoa, this is different. This is strange. Is this safe?”

And all of this happens automatically. It’s our survival response.

So when you land in a new city, or a new bed, or a new culture, your body may be going, “Where are we? Is this safe? Should I brace for something?”

Add to that your mind’s brilliant ability to try and solve every possible problem in advance—and it’s no wonder you might feel off-kilter.

---

So you’ve got two things happening:

One part of you says:
“Wow, we’re here. We’re on holiday. What a beautiful place. Let’s enjoy it.”

And meanwhile, your nervous system is saying:
“Hold on. Let’s scan for threats. Something could happen.”

It’s not going to happen every time. But if you do feel out of kilter, that is what’s happening. And it’s perfectly normal.

---

Now here’s where mindfulness comes in—not as a fix, but as a companion.

Mindfulness helps you notice what’s going on without needing to push it away.

It’s not about: “Oh no, I shouldn’t feel this way. I should be feeling good.” That only adds to your stress.

Instead, it’s about recognizing:
“Okay, I’m feeling off. I’m feeling a bit anxious. That’s okay. It’s just my body doing what it’s designed to do.”

So I’m not going to fight it.
I’m going to say:
“Ah, there’s that tightness in my chest. My mind’s spinning. That’s part of the ride.”

Rather than fight it, we meet it.
We breathe with it.
We walk alongside it.

You’re not weird. You’re not abnormal. You are perfectly normal.

And the more you accept that odd feeling—that moment where you think you should be euphoric—the easier it becomes to manage.

Again, it’s just your beautiful body and mind doing their best to keep you safe.

---

Let’s try something simple.

You can do this anywhere, anytime. You don’t even need to feel anxious—just use it as a check-in.

Feel your feet.
Yes, your feet.

Just notice them.
Maybe you’re wearing shoes—feel your feet inside them.
Maybe you’re barefoot—notice the ground beneath you.

Grass? Sand? Carpet?
Just feel your feet.

Now bring all your attention to your feet.
And remember—this isn’t a distraction strategy. This is presence. This is reality.

This moment—right here, right now—is all we ever truly have.

When we connect with the body, like this, we return to that moment.
We get out of the storm of thought and into the simplicity of now.

---

Take a slow breath in…

And a slow breath out.
Another breath in…
And out.

That breathing tells your nervous system:
“Right now, we’re okay.”

If you were truly in danger, you’d be breathing fast—getting ready to run.
But slow breathing? That tells your body, “We’re safe. We don’t need to run.”

Place a hand on your heart if that feels okay.
That’s an act of kindness and compassion.

Say to yourself:
“It’s okay to feel off. I’m allowed to have moments like these.”

---

Travel opens us up—but that opening can feel raw sometimes.

You’re not doing it wrong if you feel weird, or wobbly, or emotional.

You’re just human—navigating newness with an honest heart.

And that… that’s something to be proud of.

If this message speaks to you, I invite you to subscribe for more mindful travel reflections.
And maybe share this with a fellow traveler who might need this reminder too.

---

Let’s revisit that grounding practice one more time:

• Feel your feet. Maybe wriggle your toes.
• Notice how your feet connect to your legs. Feel your body.
• Move your shoulders. Rotate your head. Flap your arms if you need to release tension.

You are in a body. You can move. You can feel. You are here.

A breath in…
A breath out…
Another breath in…
And a breath out…

Now check in with the world around you.

What do you see? What textures? What colors?
Even in a hotel room—look at how the light falls, how it bounces, how it shifts.

This moment—right now—is alive. And that is amazing.

---

I hope that helped. Until next time… stay safe.

Watch the video below and the script is below that.

🎧 Listening In To Your Thoughts – Reimagined by Mark Lockyer

Let’s begin by finding a spot where you can settle. Nothing fancy. Just somewhere you feel safe, where you’re unlikely to be interrupted for the next few minutes.

Sit however feels right for you. If you’re in a chair, let your feet gently press into the floor. Allow your spine to lengthen naturally, not forced—just upright enough to feel alert yet comfortable. Let your shoulders soften. Let your hands rest where they fall.

You can close your eyes, or if that doesn’t feel right, just lower your gaze and fix it gently on a spot nearby.

Now—see if you can bring a quiet curiosity into this space.

The kind of curiosity you had as a child. Wondering. Exploring. Open. See if you can invite that energy in, softly.

From that space of curiosity, just begin to notice—starting with your body.

Where are your arms? Your legs? What are your hands touching? What are your feet resting on?

Notice your breath—its pace, its depth. Fast or slow. Shallow or deep. No need to change it. Just notice.

Do a light scan through your body. From head to toe. Where is there tension? Where is there ease?

Notice the play of emotions. Pleasant, unpleasant, or a mix of both.

And now… shift your attention to your thoughts.

There’s a part of you—quiet, steady—that can observe it all. A part that watches. A part that notices. We might call it the noticing self, or the observing self. But you can call it whatever feels right. It’s just that quiet space within you that sees, hears, and senses.

From this place, begin to listen in to your mind.

What’s it saying?

Even if it’s quiet right now, just notice the silence. It won’t stay that way for long—thoughts are like little clouds. They drift in, form shapes, and float off again.

When a thought comes, really listen to it.

Can you hear the voice of your mind? Does it sound like you? Is it fast or slow? Loud or soft?

Where in your head do these thoughts seem to be coming from? Front? Back? All over?

If it helps, you might imagine your thoughts are coming from a little radio in your head—always broadcasting, sometimes loudly, sometimes barely audible.

No need to change what’s playing—just listen.

Notice the pitch, the volume, the emotion wrapped up in those words. Notice how the stories unfold, shift, fade.

This is what minds do—they narrate, interpret, evaluate, commentate. Over and over.

And from time to time, you’ll get pulled into the story. That’s okay. It’s normal.

When you notice you’ve gotten hooked, just gently say to yourself, “Ah, I’ve been caught up again.” No judgment. Just come back to noticing.

Let the thoughts come and go. Hear the words. Notice where they seem to be coming from. How fast they arrive. How emotional or flat they feel.

And if your mind goes quiet again, just notice that too.

As you keep listening in, you might also notice how your body feels. Emotions may come. Calm. Frustration. Boredom. Anxiety.

Whatever shows up—let it.

This isn’t about feeling good. It’s about noticing whatever’s here, without needing to fix or change it.

If it helps, quietly name the feeling:
“I’m noticing frustration.”
“I’m having a feeling of boredom.”
“Here is anxiety.”

Let those words pass through, too. Just more thoughts, more stories in the stream.

And now, as we gently near the end of this moment together…

Notice that there are two parts of you at play:
There’s the thinking part—the busy mind, the narrator, the one that talks and talks and talks.
And there’s the noticing part—the part of you that simply sees it all happening.

They’re not separate, really. But it can be helpful to name them this way.

So for the last few seconds, really rest into that noticing self. Let it take a gentle step back and watch your mind doing what it does—talking, weaving stories, narrating life.

Notice the space between the words.

And now, when you’re ready, open your eyes or lift your gaze.

Look around the room.
Notice what you can see.
Listen for sounds near or far.
Take a deep breath and see what you can smell or taste.

Move your body a little—your arms, your legs. Stretch if it feels good.

Notice what’s happening now.
Notice your breath.
Notice your thoughts.
Notice how you’re feeling.

And remember—there’s a part of you that can notice everything.

Watch the video here:

Welcome to From Fear to There, where real travellers share the moments they almost said no, and what happened when they said yes.

Today, we’re looking at Jennifer Aniston’s journey from fear to freedom in the skies.

Hi, I’m Mark from Go Travel Mindfully, where my aim is to help you travel fearlessly, emotionally embracing each and every moment in this beautiful world that we live in, as you travel endlessly throughout the world.

It is possible.
Have you ever dreamed of travelling more? Maybe even embracing a lifestyle of slow, mindful adventure—but found yourself held back by fear, anxiety, or a sense of unease?

If so, you’re not alone.

As someone who helps people navigate these inner blocks—whether it’s the fear of flying, of getting lost, of being out of control—I want to share real stories of people who faced those same fears and found a way forward.

Because the truth is: your fears are valid, but they don’t have to define you.
They can be a part of the story, not the end of it.

And today, I want to share the story of someone you’d never expect to be afraid of flying: Jennifer Aniston.

---

Jennifer Aniston – A Hidden Fear

Jennifer Aniston. Hollywood royalty.
She’s been everywhere, seen everything… or so it seems.

But what you might not know is that she spent much of her adult life struggling with a debilitating fear of flying.

Yes, despite her red carpet appearances around the world, major movie roles, and jet-setting lifestyle, Jennifer had what she called an extreme fear of flying.

It was the kind of fear that doesn’t just make you uncomfortable.
It sits in your gut.
It tenses your shoulders before the plane even leaves the ground.

And for Jennifer, it manifested in rituals that became part of every flight:

• Stepping onto the plane with her right foot.
• Tapping the outside of the aircraft with her right hand.

These superstitions weren’t about luck.
They were about control—about calming the part of her that was bracing for the worst.

---

The Turning Point

But like many of us, a moment came when her usual coping mechanisms just weren’t enough.

In 2019, while flying to Mexico for her birthday with friends, the private jet she was on had to make an emergency landing.
A wheel had fallen off during take-off. Yes, fallen off.

The experience sent her anxiety into overdrive.

It was then that Jennifer knew she had to make a shift.

---

Healing Through Hypnosis and Mindfulness

That’s when she turned to hypnosis—a surprising and empowering decision.

With professional help, she began to gently, but consistently, face her fear at its root.

Hypnosis helped her ease the anxious patterns.
She stopped needing to tap the plane or step on with her lucky foot.
But more importantly, she started reclaiming her agency.

Jennifer also began incorporating mindfulness tools:

• She now meditates during flights.
• She stretches.
• She walks the aisles.

Instead of bracing against fear, she brings presence into the moment.

---

A Renewed Joy for Travel

And she’s discovered the real joy of travel.

With her fear now manageable, Jennifer has her eyes set on places she once avoided—Japan, the Maldives… destinations that once seemed too far, too risky, too overwhelming.

Her story is a powerful reminder that fear doesn’t mean failure.
It simply means there’s something asking for your care, your attention, and maybe a little help.

---

Why Her Story Matters to You

Jennifer’s story might seem far from your own.
After all, she’s got access to private jets and world-class therapists.

But the truth is, her journey is a human one.

Just like you, she wanted to live more freely.
But something inside her said no.

And just like you—possibly—she had to find her way through that inner resistance.

You don’t need to eliminate fear to begin travelling mindfully.
You just need to make space for it.
And walk forward anyway.

So whether your fear is flying, uncertainty, finances, or simply leaving the comfort zone behind, know this:

You’re not broken.
You’re not too late.
And you’re not alone.

---

A Final Word From Me

Hi, Mark here from Go Travel Mindfully.

Thank you so much for watching this video.
I hope you found it entertaining and that you got some information out of it that can help you discover and enjoy the life that you truly deserve.

If you go to my website 👉 gotravelmindfully.com
you can download your very own free 80-page copy of my eBook:

🧠 Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life

It’s full of very useful, evidence-based, proven information to help you better let go of worry, fear, anxieties that may be getting in the way of you enjoying the life that you truly deserve—including becoming a full-time traveller.

👉 Download your copy now at gotravelmindfully.com

ACE Mindfulness Activity Transcript

Good morning, Mark here from Go Travel Mindfully.

I say good morning because I seem to record in the morning.

It seems to be the best time for me.

Just that early morning stillness.

I’m always aware I’m just sort of waking up.

What I thought I’d focus on today is a mindfulness exercise that you can do anywhere at any time.

And I teach it to all of my clients.

And the feedback generally is very good in terms of its ability to get us back to the present moment when our monkey brain, our very active mind, beautiful mind, that’s always trying to problem solve, is taking us somewhere else.

And that seems to happen the most when we are troubled by something, we’re worried by something, something is stressing us out.

Maybe one of those old mind stories keeps coming up, like I’m a failure, I’m not worthy, a relationship has just ended, or maybe you’re having trouble with a relationship and the I’m unlovable story is coming up for you.

It could be that, as my focus wants to be on those of us that want to travel full-time, get out of the rat race, lead a slower life, make that achievable without having to be a millionaire.

There.

It’s possible.

Many people are doing it.

And so there could be some worries there.

How do I do it?

How do I change my life?

How do I just turn it all around?

I’ve got all of my fears and my concerns and my worries and my anxieties.

The tip for me is whenever we are not feeling present, OK, what does that feel like?

OK, maybe I’ll focus on how we are feeling in the moment.

Whenever we have anxieties, we’re feeling tense, tightness in the chest or the shoulders, heart is beating faster, feeling a bit nauseous, going off your food, those type of things.

They are always indicators that we are not in the present moment.

We have left the present moment.

We’ve generally gone into the future worrying about something, concerned about something, needing to fix something, needing to control something.

And that’s that beautiful problem-solving, logical, rational brain.

Apparently, it tends to be more of the left side of the brain that gets into all of that, reduces things down, constantly thinks about how do I fix this?

How do I control it?

How do I make it go away so that I never have that unwanted thought or feeling again?

Possible in some cases.

Possible in some cases.

But with these bigger stories that we have in life, particularly if you’re entering into that transition of wanting to travel full-time, to be a full-time nomad, to travel the world, either by yourself or with somebody else, that’s a big story.

That’s not one that you just jump into that problem-solving brain and go, I’ve got the answer, right?

I’m never going to worry ever again.

Travelling full-time, being on the road, brings its own fears and worries and concerns.

But they’re all manageable.

They are manageable.

But what can happen in our default position is to jump into that problem-solving brain and what’s the answer?

I need to have the answer.

How do I fix it?

How do I control it?

And it takes away so much energy from the very present moment.

But there are activities that we can do, very simple ones, very simple ones.

I still have some clients saying they’re too busy to do this.

It’s like when you learn how to do this, it is so simple.

You can do it anywhere, anytime, no matter what you’re doing.

So what I would like you to do is focus on a concern or a worry or an anxiety.

Something that’s just on your mind a lot lately that when you think about it, it’s taking you away from the present moment.

You know, you’re off, not so much daydreaming, but your mind is taking you away and you’re worried and you’re regularly catching yourself out, not focusing on what it is that you’re actually doing at the moment.

And that is actually part of the biggest well, the biggest factor, one of the biggest factors associated with becoming very good at mindfulness is to develop that side of us that can become aware, the noticer, the observer.

I notice that I’m feeling that way.

I notice that I just got distracted.

I notice that my mind went somewhere else.

I notice that I’m not really savoring this cup of tea at the moment.

Mmm.

Beautiful.

Tea or coffee, whatever is your fancy.

You see?

So, awareness is such a big, important part of this process.

And that takes practice as well.

But we, you know, that’s why we have those beautiful feelings, believe it or not, such as worry and concern or anxiety.

However, we experience those.

Often we feel it in the body.

Tension.

Lethargy.

A heavy body.

Maybe a fidgety body.

So you can feel it in your body.

That will give you a clue.

Maybe racing thoughts or very familiar, insecure thoughts that pop into your head regularly.

It’s becoming aware of those.

And that’s what we do.

We just become aware of them.

Don’t do anything else other than be aware.

Don’t try and jump on the back of them because, as you know, if you’ve got a money worry, for example, am I going to pay that bill?

That’s a valid worry.

It’s a valid concern if it’s a big bill.

But if you’re trying to do a mindfulness exercise and come back to the present moment, as soon as you jump on the back of that money worry, it will spiral.

You’ll have a hundred thoughts coming to your head as your beautiful problem-solving brain goes, how do we fix this?

How do we control it?

I want this to go away.

How can I get rich?

This is like last week and I had that other bill.

I had two bills in one week.

Will it ever get any better?

It seems to get better and then it gets worse and I just can’t seem to fix it.

Is it me?

Am I a loser?

Am I a failure?

Am I hopeless with money?

And it just starts to spiral.

So it’s like, whoa, stop, stop.

I like to couch things as stories.

So if that was a worry that you have at the moment, a financial money worry, it becomes, ah, the money story.

The good old money story is coming up again.

It’s like you’re holding a book called The Money Story written by you and it’s, no doubt, there’s many, many chapters where money has been an issue.

So if we can call it a story, it does help us stop a little bit from jumping on the back of those thoughts again and going, yeah, you know, let’s spiral with a million other money worry thoughts and no doubts and many other things that come in as well, like, will I ever get a bigger house?

Will I ever travel?

That’s what we want to focus on.

It’s not about a big house.

It’s about how do I downscale and have confidence in that and be able to go traveling.

So that can be the first thing, okay, is the awareness, building up the awareness.

I notice that I’m worrying again.

So we tap into that.

This is actually a mindfulness process called ACE, A-C-E, acknowledging when you’re triggered, when you’ve left the present moment.

So we acknowledge it.

Ah, I acknowledge the money worry story again or I I notice the relationship story again.

Maybe if you’re having difficulties in that area, you want to go traveling but your other partner doesn’t.

You’re trying to sort out how can we do this?

How can we have a win-win situation, so to speak?

Could be the health story.

Imagine being overseas and you get sick or you have to wait for some results and you’re in a foreign country and you’re feeling a bit insecure and you don’t speak the language.

Understandable, very, very concerning situation to be in.

But again, this ACE process can help out with that.

So acknowledging, being aware is the first process.

I notice that I’m worrying.

I notice that I’m very upset.

I notice that I’m feeling anxious.

I can feel it in my body.

I can notice it.

So we acknowledge it.

We don’t try and fix it.

We don’t try and judge it, particularly if it hasn’t got a solution at the moment.

If you are waiting on some test results to come up, well, you know, you’ve got to wait.

You really can’t do anything else about that.

But we can minimize the impact.

We can turn the volume down on that worry and that anxiety.

So we acknowledge, we become aware of the worry.

I notice the worry story.

Let’s call it that.

Then what we do to come back to the present moment, which is what mindfulness is all about, is we connect with the body.

C is for connect.

And that can be as simple as wriggling your toes.

Wriggling your toes.

I invite you right now to wriggle your toes and you will notice a lot of your attention comes to the fact that you are wriggling your toes.

You’re coming back into your body and it’s not a distraction strategy.

The worry story is the distraction story because right here, right now, despite all of the worries and the concerns, 99% of the time you will find that everything is okay.

Right here, right now, I’m okay.

I may be in some discomfort if it’s a health issue, but right here, right now, I’m okay.

I am safe.

Yeah, so we connect with our body.

We get away from the distraction and we come back to the only moment that really matters, which is right here, right now.

So you wriggle your toes.

You become aware of your body and perhaps some slow, deep breathing.

That is a good way to say to the body, it’s okay, we’re okay right now, we’re safe.

That will help calm the body a little bit.

Right here, right now, we are okay.

And then the E in ACE, A-C-E, is when you come back into your body, you realise there’s a world around you.

I’m just going to take in the world around me.

Even if I’m just in a room, I will look at something that I can focus on.

I’m not going to judge it.

I mean, at the moment in the corner there, I’m looking at a plant.

And I always find the amazement of looking at something in the present moment, the complexity of what you can see, that plant, and the myriad of leaves that it has, and the light coming in through the window and how it’s shining on or lighting up one side of the pot plant that’s over there.

I should show you that.

Maybe I’ll put up a photo.

Afterwards, when I edit this video, and then the shadow on the other side where the light coming in through the window is not there.

Also, I’m looking directly at a sunrise, and there’s a yellow sky at the moment as the sun is rising, because there is some cloud cover, and it’s very still outside, and there is cloud cover, and I can look down in the valley.

It’s amazing.

The present moment is really amazing, and you get that sense that you’re back in the world.

You’ve wriggled your toes, slow deep breathing, you’re having a look around you, and all the time that you’re doing that, you’re bringing yourself back to the present moment.

And with practice, you’ve got to trust this process.

With practice, it will feel like the volume is being turned down on that worry and that anxiety that you had a moment ago.

It’s not minimizing it, it’s not making it go away, it’s not trying to solve it, it’s just getting us in a better position right here, right now, where when we get that sense that we’ve come back to the present moment, that’s when we check in with ourselves and go, that concern, that worry that I just had, can I do anything about it right now?

It is a concern, it is a worry, but right here, right now, can I do anything about it?

Sometimes, with that clarity that comes in the present moment, you’ll go, yes, yes, I’ve got to phone that person, but the magnitude of what you’ve got to do will be greatly reduced and often the answer will be, no, I can’t do anything about it.

You know, I am worried about what’s coming up next week, but it’s not happening now.

So if I can focus my energy on now, then I can say to myself, what is in my best interest right now?

What is it that will be good for my overall well-being? right here, right now.

It could be making another cup of tea or warming it up because it’s gone cold as mine has or getting a glass of water or watching that sunrise.

You will just know what is the best thing for you right here, right now.

And if you are going through a worrying period, maybe you’ve got to do that 50 times a day.

You’ve got to do ACE 50 times a day.

It will always help bring you back to now, this present moment where you’ll have greater clarity over what is in your best interest right here, right now.

ACE.

Acknowledge.

Connect.

Engage.

Thank you.

We often romanticize the idea of silence. But if you’ve ever tried to sit in stillness, especially after something has thrown you off course, you’ll know it’s not always peaceful.

In this post, I share a personal moment that caught me off guard. I was ready to record, in the zone, and then—life happened. An interruption. A wave of agitation. And just like that, I found myself clicking around the internet, searching for flights, reading random tips—anything but sitting with that uncomfortable feeling.

Sound familiar?

Distraction is the brain’s attempt to keep us safe. It’s a survival reflex. But when we live there—constantly pulled away from the present moment—we lose the opportunity to tune into something deeper.

Through the practice of mindfulness, I learned to stop fighting the frustration. I allowed it in. I breathed. I noticed the familiar voice of self-doubt creeping in, whispering: You’re a failure, Mark. This video won’t work. Why bother?

But here’s the thing: noticing is power. I didn’t try to fix it. I let it be. And in doing so, the volume turned down. I returned to the present—not perfectly, but fully human.

This practice matters even more when we’re traveling. Out of our routines, in foreign places, feeling ungrounded. When the mind spins stories—What am I doing here? This was a mistake—that’s the very moment we can pause, breathe, and meet ourselves kindly.

So the next time silence feels deafening, stay with it a little longer. That moment might just be your teacher.

Video version down below:

Welcome to the inaugural White Owl Podcast (by my friend Mel Craven), launched on the magical 11/11 portal. It feels like the perfect moment to begin something heartfelt and real. This podcast is all about illuminating truth, embracing authenticity, and supporting others to live with greater presence and purpose.

Joining me is Mark Lockyer, known to many as “The Mindful Guide” or simply, “The Guy in a White T-shirt.” Mark is a mindfulness teacher, counselor, social worker, and a dear friend. He brings a grounded wisdom shaped by life experience, deep introspection, and decades of helping others.

We begin our conversation by reflecting on mindfulness. Mark shares that, like many of us, he didn’t always realize he was capable of mindfulness. It wasn’t until he encountered The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris that he began to understand the power of presence. That book, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), introduced him to the idea of accepting difficult emotions instead of fighting them. Over time, mindfulness became less of a strategy and more of a way of life.

Mark speaks openly about growing up in an abusive home, how it shaped his low self-esteem, and led to a diagnosis of major depression. That diagnosis, surprisingly, felt like a relief. It gave a name to the pain and opened a doorway to understanding. Through mindfulness, he discovered how to observe his thoughts without judgment—thoughts like “I’m unworthy” or “nothing will ever go right for me.”

He reminds us that most people believe their thoughts are facts, but mindfulness teaches us to notice those thoughts and gently create space around them. It doesn’t mean the thoughts go away, but we gain freedom in how we relate to them.

So what does mindfulness look like in practice?

Mark encourages simple steps: observe your thoughts without judgment, ask yourself whether a thought is useful, and engage with the present moment. Everyday activities like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or listening to birdsong can become mindfulness practices.

He draws a powerful analogy of trying to push a beach ball under water—it takes energy to suppress unwanted thoughts or feelings. Instead, let the ball float. Notice it, accept it, and redirect your energy toward living your life.

We also talk about the difference between managing and controlling. Control comes from fear and tightness, while managing implies acceptance, flow, and compassion. Mark shares how people under stress often stop doing the very things that bring them joy. Creativity, music, walking in nature, or simply gazing into a pet’s eyes—these moments can help us reconnect.

From ACT, Mark borrows the idea of living a vital life. That means knowing what lights you up and doing more of it. He encourages keeping a list of nourishing activities—ones you already love, and ones you’ve always wanted to try.

Our conversation moves to absurdism, a philosophy embraced by Mark and inspired by Albert Camus. Absurdism acknowledges that life doesn’t always make sense. Bad things happen to good people. Searching for meaning can become a trap. Instead, let go of the need to make it all make sense, and live fully.

Mark reminds us of a phrase he uses often: “I don’t know.” It’s not about giving up—it’s about holding our beliefs more lightly, with humility and openness. When we surrender the need for certainty, we can live more freely.

We also explore the right and left brain. The left brain seeks to problem-solve and find answers. The right brain, however, is creative, intuitive, and open to awe. Mark says we need to let the right brain lead more often, especially when the left brain gets stuck looping in anxiety.

A practice Mark loves is forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), a Japanese mindfulness technique that invites us to fully immerse ourselves in nature. Instead of rushing through a park, slow down. Smell the bark. Feel the breeze. Notice the textures and light.

As we wrap up, we speak about spirituality. For Mark, it’s about connection—to everything. Even a rock has energy. When we live from that awareness, we treat the world with more compassion. Mindfulness leads us into this place of connection, and from there, life opens up in surprising and beautiful ways.

We finish by talking about death. Rather than a morbid topic, it becomes a reminder to live more fully. As Mark puts it, “Eventually we all die, but we don’t have to die while we’re still alive.”

You can follow Mark on Instagram, his Facebook page (see links below in the footer to this web page). He also offers a free eBook titled “Get Out Of Your Head And Into Your Life” helping people recognize and gently shift the stories they tell themselves that may be holding them back from truly enjoying the life they deserve.

Thank you, Mark, for your heartfelt wisdom, your grounded presence, and your courage to speak truth. May we all dare to live more fully, more mindfully, and with a little more wonder every day.

Share your thoughts: Have you ever practiced observing your thoughts without judgment? What helps you stay grounded in the present moment? Leave a comment or reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

View the video interview below:

Good morning. Mark here from Go Travel Mindfully. Yes, awake at 4 a.m.
I don’t know why. I went to bed at 10 p.m. I did wake at 2 p.m.
And there’s a sense that I’ve been awake ever since.
And I really don’t know why. I did try and get my, I ran about 7 hours sleep a night.
And I’m not particularly worried about anything.
So, I have to practice what I preach, which is a lot of mindfulness.
So, I was awake at 2 a.m.
Did the usual. I got up, had a glass of water, went to the toilet, went back to bed.
Didn’t go to sleep, obviously, immediately.
What I do then do is get myself comfortable and I do 20 slow, deep breaths.
It’s very calming and apparently it’s very good for your body as well.
And one of those slow, deep breaths looks like a breath in.
And when you get to that point and you think you’ve breathed all the way in, you do a little bit more.
So, it’s…
And then let it out.
And then when you let it out, you just pause for a moment or two.
And then you take another breath in.
And let it out.
Slowly.
And of course, I’m trying to do it quietly because my wife is asleep next to me.
But apparently it’s very good for your body.
Very healing as well.
And of course, it requires a lot of concentration.
So, it’s very much a mindful activity.
If you’d like to give it a go whenever you’re not sleeping or just throughout the day when you’re checking in with yourself and like a moment or two just to pause, to feel grounded, to come back into your body.
It’s not a bad way of doing that.
You stop.
Start off with 10 breaths initially.
10 slow, deep breaths.
It can be difficult to do at first and to stay on track because that wandering mind will always kick in with something that you should be thinking about.
But my 20 breaths, maybe they did work because I’m sure I haven’t been awake between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
I must have dozed off a bit.
It’s just that sense that I haven’t been back to sleep.
I feel okay.
It was 4 a.m.
And I was thinking, well, just get up.
And I guess I’m checking in with my mindset because I know years ago I would have worried about that.
I would have had that racing mind that would have said, you’ve only had 4 hours sleep, maybe a little bit more, and you want to do a lot today.
Today being Saturday.
I think it’s the 12th of April 2025.
You want to do a lot today.
You’ve got today off.
I am trying to renovate a caravan at the moment that’s been ongoing for 4 years.
I was going to do some work on the caravan.
But my drama-lama kicked in.
Interesting.
That’s that voice that I get in my head that is all about worry.
Oh my goodness, you’ve only had 4 hours sleep.
You’re going to be so tired tomorrow.
You’re probably going to be really niggly as well.
And maybe Julie will want to do some things.
And you’re going to be tired.
And you’re not going to be able to do what you want to do.
And why are you awake?
You seem to be doing this regularly at the moment, waking up and being awake for an hour or so.
And, oh, it’s not good for you.
So I call that one my drama-lama.
So I’m very aware of that side of my mind.
And my whole practice with mindfulness is no longer battling with it.
We’re trying to control it or trying to fix it.
Which is, of course, what our problem-solving brain does.
Our left brain thinking is very much about, okay, what’s the answer to this?
You’ve woken up.
There’s a sense that you’re not totally comfortable or calm.
So there must be something wrong.
Come on, let’s try and fix this.
Let’s problem solve.
What’s going to happen in the morning?
You’re going to be very tired.
Think about all those things that this is going to impact tomorrow.
So your mind automatically goes into the future and it’s thinking about, I’ve got to get to sleep.
Come on, let’s go to sleep.
This is crazy.
This is…
You shouldn’t be doing this.
You should be able to sleep.
You’re the mindfulness guru.
Come on.
Let’s get to sleep.
So that left brain thinking, reductionist thinking, trying to solve things, trying to fix it, trying to work it out.
Come on, you shouldn’t be awake.
How can you get back to sleep?
Think of all the things that’s going to impact tomorrow.
So it’s like, wait, stop, stop.
And so I try and call upon my karma, Lama.
That’s more right side brain thinking.
That’s…
Hang on a second.
Let’s just take a step back.
Look at the bigger picture.
It’s not a big deal.
You’re awake.
You’ve had some sleep.
You’re feeling okay.
You’re not really anxious because you are pretty good at managing these things.
But of course, drama Lama’s over there going off like a pork chop, as they say, trying to, you know, why is this happening?
Come on.
Let’s get back to sleep.
Worry, worry.
But it’s on the fringe.
And my karma Lama steps in and is able to go, let’s, you know, it’s okay.
It’s not the end of the world.
Here we are, lying in bed.
Everything’s okay.
You’re safe.
Roof over your head.
You know, we can sort this out.
Let’s just stop.
Do a bit of deep breathing.
Connect with your body.
Feel your body lying in bed.
And then I say, well, just get up.
Let’s just get up.
So that’s exactly what I did.
I just got up and here I am.
And it’s dark and it’s quiet and it’s peaceful.
And I’m okay.
I’m safe.
I’m safe.
You see, so much anxiety stems around not feeling safe.
There’s a sense that if you wake early in the morning, something during the day may happen.
You know, it’s going to affect something.
You won’t be performing as well as what you do.
Why are you awake?
Why are you awake?
Is there something wrong with you physically, mentally?
That problem-solving brain actually is doing that because it’s trying to keep us safe.
Whenever we’re feeling a little uncomfortable, it’s trying to keep us safe.
How can we fix this?
How can we sort it?
It stems from a stage in our evolution when the world was a lot less unsafe.
Wild animals, warring tribes, saber-toothed tigers, as I always like to say, roaming around, just waiting to eat us.
And that problem-solving brain hears a roar in the distance and it’s going, we’re not safe.
Come on, what do we do?
Let’s strategize.
Where do we find safety?
How can we get out of here?
What is something that we can do to ensure our safety?
Beautiful, beautiful thing that the brain does.
Evolutionists will probably say that’s the main reason for us thinking.
It’s not to be able to write beautiful sonnets and marvel at a glorious sunrise or sunset.
It’s primarily there to keep us safe.
Fast forward eons to where we are today.
And the problem-solving brain really can’t tell the difference between a saber-toothed tiger and you’ve woken at 4am.
And so it will go into that strategizing and that problem-solving and that how do we fix this and what’s the impact that there’s going to be.
And that ultimately is the definition of anxiety.
Anxiety is a mind that’s constantly in the future trying to control, trying to fix, trying to strategize, trying to problem-solve.
Lots of what-ifs, why, all of that sort of thing.
And so it’s nice to go, thank you beautiful, left brain, problem-solving brain, reductionist brain.
But you know what?
At the moment there isn’t an immediate answer to why I’m awake at 4am in the morning.
I might tap into that right brain and say thank you, it’s okay, let’s just step back.
Everything’s all right, let’s evaluate the situation.
We’re going to be okay, we will get through this.
And so that’s a mindfulness approach, that ability to develop that other side of ourselves
that can simply observe and be aware rather than be consumed by that left brain thinking, that reductionist thinking.
And when we live, as many of us do, in the Western world, it’s very much a left brain thing.
You know, how do we make things better?
How do we solve problems?
And it often doesn’t necessarily focus on the bigger picture.
I always think of, you know, I don’t want to get into being blamed for being an environmentalist or something like that,
but left brain thinking is you come across a forest and let’s chop it down and use that wood for something
without realising the impact of what maybe chopping on those trees may do,
the impact on the wildlife, on the environment, on the ability for the soil to retain water.
And of course, there’s been a lot of that done over the years,
whereas a right brain way of thinking is that ability to step back and go,
hang on a second, let’s look at the big picture first.
If we strip all those trees down, what could be some of the impacts?
What’s a good compromise?
So, left brain, right brain.
Jumping in, being consumed by the story.
At the moment, the sleep story.
I’m holding a book called The Sleep Story by Mark.
It’s full of thoughts, feelings, worries and concerns and beliefs, deep-seated beliefs,
that there’s something wrong with you, Mark.
This is only happening to you.
You’re the only person in the world right now at 4 a.m. who is awake.
I used to be consumed by that thinking years ago, convinced I had depression.
But now I realise it’s a normal human reaction to a life event.
I’ve woke early.
And you do go into that problem-solving brain of why?
Why am I awake?
What’s the impact of this going to be?
And there’s nothing wrong with that, of course.
We use that left brain thinking in the Western world a lot during the day.
All of our jobs, if you’re working, are really all about the fact that you have some skill in something and you can problem-solve.
If you’re a forklift driver, you know how to get that thing from there to there.
If you’re a professional that’s got a lot of knowledge in IT or problem-solving or, you know, we’re using that left brain all the time,
but probably far too much in our Western world, we don’t allow ourselves necessarily to have that ability to be able to step back and go,
what’s the bigger picture here?
You know, let’s take in right here, right now.
Let’s do some of those slow, deep breaths.
Let’s wriggle our toes to bring us back into our body.
I’m wriggling my toes right now.
You immediately get that sense that you’ve come back into your body.
A bit of slow, deep breathing.
When you’re back in your body, you realise there’s a world around you.
I’m looking around the room at the moment.
Got some lights on.
Obviously dark outside.
I think there’s meant to be a full moon tomorrow night.
I’m just looking at my computer desk over there.
I’m looking at myself in the camera.
Drama Lama is going, oh my God, look at you.
You’re getting old.
Look at those wrinkles.
Come on, put some of those filters on the camera.
What will people think?
They won’t like your videos.
Oh my goodness.
Stop, will you?
Stop.
Drama Lama, go take a rest.
But I’m aware that you’re there.
And I know to a certain extent you’re probably just trying to make me safe.
But it’s okay.
I am, you know, constantly explore the vulnerable side to myself.
And I think that’s got a lot to do with having this channel where the plans, talk about future-based thinking, the plans for Julia and I are to become long-term travellers.
Because we have given up so much.
We basically don’t own anything.
No house, no nothing.
And we were forced into that situation through bankruptcy with the GFC.
But out of that, wow.
You know, I often think that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is suffering, actually.
Because that’s where we grow.
So, we come across something in life and we either let it consume us or constantly live in a world of anxiety and don’t take risks.
Or we say, what is this?
What’s the lesson to be learned here?
And there are lessons.
I feel as if I’m covering so many topics.
I won’t be able to do any more videos.
There’s my drama llama again.
But perhaps you’ve found this helpful.
It really is talking about events will happen in our lives.
We will hit a spot, maybe on a regular basis, of being worried, being concerned.
And of course, I’m trying to reach out for those people that really want to do something like travel full-time.
Minimalist, slow travel.
How do you do that?
How do you change your life from one of supposed comfort and security in Western society?
Make that big change.
Well, you do it through things like awareness, through mindfulness, being more present, trusting that process.
When you are more present, the answers will come to you.
It’s as simple as 4am in the morning, you know, being aware, being mindful, lying in bed, saying, well, just get up.
It’s not such a big deal.
So there you go.
If you’d like to know more about my perspective on things, go to my website, gotravelmindfully.com.
GoTravelMindfully.com.
I do have an 80-page e-book that you can download that talks about this approach, mindfulness.
It’s based on acceptance commitment training, accepting things that happen in our lives,
even as simple as being awake at 4am in the morning and not battling it, accepting that that’s happening to me right now.
That’s OK. And the commitment part is being committed to trying something different.
If your strategy is to worry too much or to be too anxious and then to label yourself that,
eventually you get to a stage of saying, is this working, though?
And often the answer will be no.
So I’m going to be committed to trying something different.
And for me, that very much has been mindfulness, that ability to step into that right brain,
to look at the bigger picture, to get back to the present moment.
It’s so powerful, the present moment.
So we step out of that left brain or that anxiety brain or that depression brain or that stressful brain.
And we hop into that, looking at the bigger picture and going right here, right now.
You know what?
Everything is OK.
So, yeah, go travel mindfully.
I’ve got an e-book called Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life.
I like that one.
I picked that up somewhere years ago.
Get out of your head and into your life.
Yeah.
All right.
Until next time.
Thank you.

Watch the YouTube video:

Introduction Good morning. Or perhaps good evening where you are. It was early morning when I recorded this, watching a soft Tasmanian sunrise while grappling with a truth I could no longer ignore: I couldn’t keep doing life the way I had been.

In this blog post, I want to speak to those of you who feel the same. Burned out. Questioning. Longing for change. For something slower. Simpler. More real.

When the Treadmill Becomes Too Much Maybe you’ve been grinding for years—working, surviving, striving. You’ve ticked the boxes society told you to tick. But lately, you feel like you’re only surviving, not living.

I’m past halfway through my life. And I had to ask: what does the second half look like? Will it be more of the same, or something radically different?

The Pull Toward Full-Time Travel That question led me to the idea of becoming a full-time traveller. Not just taking a vacation, but reimagining life altogether. Living overseas, staying longer, connecting deeply with new cultures. Moving deliberately, not just geographically but spiritually.

If you’re on a pension, like many of us are or will be, the Western world can feel unforgiving. But places like Southeast Asia offer affordability, warmth, and a slower rhythm of life. A place to breathe.

The Invisible Barrier: Anxiety But even with the dream crystal clear, anxiety often clouds the path.

Our minds are problem-solving machines. They were built to protect us, to look for danger. And while there are no saber-toothed tigers anymore, the cost of living, uncertainty, and self-doubt trigger that same fight-or-flight response.

Your mind will whisper: “What if you fail? What if you run out of money? What if it’s not safe?”

These thoughts are normal. And mindfulness, the practice of returning to the present moment, helps us see them for what they are: stories. Not truths.

Childhood Echoes and Dominant Beliefs Much of our anxiety doesn’t come from the future but from the past. From the beliefs we formed in childhood: that we’re not enough, not capable, not safe.

For me, it’s low self-esteem rooted in a difficult upbringing. And even now, at 66, those inner stories sometimes speak loudest when I’m about to step outside my comfort zone.

But instead of fighting them, I’ve learned to acknowledge them. To say, “Yes, I hear you. And I’m doing it anyway.”

A Nomadic Life Already in Motion My wife Julie and I have already lived semi-nomadically. From Perth to Adelaide, Melbourne to the Solomon Islands, and a shoestring journey along the WA coast in a 6×4 trailer we called home.

We’re not new to change. But we are ready to go deeper. To be fully present, fully mobile, and fully alive.

Get the Guide: Free 80-Page eBook If this resonates with you, I’ve created an 80-page eBook titled “Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life”. It explores these ideas in more depth—how to uncover the beliefs that hold you back, how to manage fear, and how to step into a life of meaning and movement.

You can download it for free at GoTravelMindfully.com

Final Thoughts Maybe you’re not ready to pack up and go tomorrow. That’s okay. But if you’ve felt that nudge—that inner tug toward something new—don’t ignore it.

The fears won’t disappear. But they don’t have to run the show.

Let’s travel mindfully. Let’s live deliberately. Let’s go.

—Mark Go Travel Mindfully

YouTube video below: