• You’ve likely felt it.

    That quiet (or maybe not-so-quiet) longing to live life differently.
    To slow down.
    To step off the treadmill.
    To travel with more intention, live with more freedom, and maybe even feel like yourself again.

    For many, this dream takes the shape of long-term travel or a minimalist lifestyle.
    A campervan. A beach town in Vietnam. A slower rhythm.
    Something simpler. Something more real.

    But then… the fear creeps in.

    And before long, the dream feels far away again.

    You might tell yourself it’s about finances.
    Or logistics.
    Or timing.
    Or “what ifs.”

    But from what I’ve seen—not just in my own life, but in the lives of those I work with as a counsellor and mindfulness teacher—
    those outer obstacles are rarely the whole story.


    🧠 What’s Really in the Way?

    It’s often the inner stories that hold us back the most.

    Stories like:

    • The Failure Story“What if I try and it all falls apart?”
    • The Security Story“I need everything to be safe and certain before I can start.”
    • The Self-Worth Story“Who am I to think I deserve a different life?”
    • The Belonging Story“What will people think if I walk away from the life they expect me to live?”

    These aren’t just thoughts.
    They’re deep-rooted narratives shaped by our past, our upbringing, and the culture we live in.
    They become the background noise of our lives—until we start noticing them.


    🌱 Awareness is the First Step

    In my latest video, I unpack these stories with honesty and kindness.

    I don’t offer quick fixes.
    I don’t believe in bulldozing over fear or “just thinking positive.”
    What I do believe in is this:

    When we become aware of our inner stories, we create space to choose something different.
    Not because the fear disappears… but because we’re no longer letting it drive.


    📘 Want to Explore This More Deeply?

    I’ve written a free eBook that dives into exactly this.

    It’s called “Using Mindfulness to Change Your Life,” and it’s an 80-page guide to help you:

    • Recognize the thoughts and beliefs running your life
    • Understand how your nervous system responds to fear and uncertainty
    • Connect with your Wise Self—your calm, grounded inner awareness
    • Create space between your fear and your next decision

    Download it for free here:
    👉 https://gotravelmindfully.com


    Whether you’re preparing to travel, simplify, or just start living more deliberately, this video and eBook are for you.

    You don’t need to have it all figured out.
    You just need to start noticing.

    With kindness,
    Mark
    Go Travel Mindfully

  • Intro:
    What does it take to leave behind a traditional life and travel the world full-time — especially after 60?

    In this uplifting and real conversation, I (Mark Lockyer) speak with Norm Bour, a global nomad who, along with his wife Kat, left the U.S. in their 60s with no house, no kids at home, and no rigid plans. Now in their 70s, they’ve been traveling for over six years — visiting 43 countries (and counting) while living simply, intentionally, and joyfully.

    This conversation is for anyone who’s ever asked:
    🧭 “Could I really do this?”
    💬 “Isn’t it too late to start over?”
    💡 “How do I manage fear and uncertainty on the road?”

    Spoiler alert: Norm says YES — you can absolutely do it.

    🎥 Watch the full video interview here:
    👉 Click here to watch on YouTube


    🧳 Reinvention at 59: A Life Reset

    Norm’s journey began after divorce and bankruptcy left him untethered and questioning everything. No house, no job, no plan — just an open horizon. That openness led him to travel, then to Kat, then to a shared dream of exploring the world together.

    What started as a short trip to Europe turned into a lifestyle neither of them expected — or regrets.

    “We sold everything, booked a one-way ticket to Spain, and never looked back.”


    🔄 Letting Go of ‘Security’

    One of the biggest hurdles Norm and Kat faced — and what many of us wrestle with — was letting go of the illusion of security.

    “People think they need to have everything figured out. But when you’re flexible, open, and willing to try… that’s when the magic happens.”

    They didn’t jump in recklessly. They learned, adapted, and started living in places where the cost of living allowed them to stretch their retirement income while still enjoying rich experiences.


    🧘‍♂️ Daily Mindfulness and Travel as Therapy

    From morning meditation to grateful reflection, Norm emphasizes the importance of spiritual and emotional well-being — not just logistics and travel hacks.

    “We believe the universe is guiding us. And when we meet people who are on a similar path, it feels like alignment, not accident.”

    Travel becomes more than movement — it becomes healing.


    🏍️ Motorbikes, Minimalism, and the Freedom of Movement

    At 70, Norm is about to begin a five-month motorcycle tour through Greece, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Balkans.

    They carry only what they need. They don’t check bags. They walk more, eat simpler, and meet people from all over the world who value presence over possessions.

    “If we can’t wear it, eat it, or carry it — we don’t buy it.”


    💡 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Nomads (Especially Over 50)

    Norm wants to remind you:

    • You’re not too old
    • It’s not too expensive
    • You don’t have to sell everything — start with 3 months
    • You’ll find community (even if you leave some behind)
    • Flexibility and an open mind are your best travel tools

    🧭 Where to Find Norm Bour

    🌐 travelyounger.com
    📩 Free newsletter every 10 days
    📘 Facebook: Norm Bour


    ✨ Final Thoughts from Mark

    Talking with Norm was a reminder that life doesn’t have to follow the script we were handed. It’s never too late to begin again, and sometimes the best chapters of our lives start with uncertainty.

    I created Go Travel Mindfully to share stories just like this — where courage, curiosity, and presence lead the way.

    If this inspired you, I’d love for you to:

    • 💬 Leave a comment below
    • 💌 Join our mailing list (coming soon!)
    • 🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel

    Until next time —
    Stay curious. Stay kind. Stay mindful.

    — Mark
    Go Travel Mindfully

    Below is the YouTube video:

  • Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of unsolicited certainty?
    You know the type—those people who confidently assert their beliefs, convinced they’ve figured it all out. Politics, safety, lifestyle choices, even your personal decisions—they’ve got an answer for everything. And they’re not shy about telling you.

    Recently, I encountered three people in one day who had this “I-know-best” energy. It got me reflecting deeply, not just on how frustrating it is, but how often it disconnects us from one another. It also got me thinking about Albert Camus—a man who didn’t just write about life’s absurdities, but about how to live meaningfully in the midst of them.


    💥 Certainty vs. Reality: The Absurd Truth

    Camus famously described life as absurd—not in a chaotic, cynical way, but in the sense that we long for meaning in a universe that offers none. That tension, he said, is the human condition.

    In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus describes a man condemned to roll a boulder uphill for eternity, only to watch it roll back down. But instead of despairing, Sisyphus embraces his task. He owns it. No false hope, no grand narrative. Just presence.

    That’s our path too—especially when confronted by those who are rigidly sure of themselves.


    🌍 Embrace the Uncertainty—Let Go Lightly

    Here’s the kicker: those who cling hardest to certainty are often the ones most afraid of the unknown. But it’s the unknown that makes life rich, isn’t it?

    When we’re traveling, for example, everything is uncertain. The visa might not be renewed. The ATM might swallow your card. You may not speak the language. Yet it’s in those very moments of discomfort that we grow the most—if we can stay grounded.

    Holding on lightly, as Camus might say, is a kind of superpower.


    🧘‍♂️ What To Do When Someone Thinks They Know It All

    Here’s what I’ve learned from both philosophy and practice:

    1. Question Without Confronting
      Invite curiosity. Ask questions that encourage reflection. “That’s an interesting view—how did you come to see it that way?”
    2. Recognize the Fear Behind the Certainty
      Often, dogmatic people are driven by fear—fear of not knowing, of being out of control, of facing the unknown.
    3. Stay Present in Your Own Body
      Feeling triggered? Wiggle your toes. Breathe deeply. Look around. Let your senses anchor you. You don’t have to match their energy.
    4. Choose Compassion Over Correction
      It’s not your job to fix them. It’s your invitation to practice empathy and let go of the need to win.
    5. Reframe the Moment as a Teacher
      Every confrontation is a chance to return to presence. To practice what you preach. To live mindfully.

    ✨ Mindfulness Is the Exit Ramp

    Mindfulness gives us a way out of these reactive cycles. It lets us hold onto our truths lightly—not discarding them, but not clutching them like weapons either. We see the world more clearly. We travel lighter. We connect more deeply.

    So the next time someone comes at you with “I know how it is,” smile gently. Pause. Breathe. Remember: you don’t have to know everything. You just have to be here, now.


    🎁 Want More?

    I’ve created a free 80-page eBook full of insights like this—drawing on years of experience as a mindfulness practitioner, therapist, and slow traveler.

    👉 Download it here
    And if this post resonates, check out the full video version on my YouTube channel:

  • Ever feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures or caught in overthinking loops that keep you stuck? In this grounded, heartfelt video, Mark from Go Travel Mindfully shares how mindfulness and slow travel helped him break free from the modern-day grind and reconnect with what really matters.

    🎥 Filmed in the peaceful countryside of Tasmania, Mark reflects on how early life conditioning, societal expectations, and fear of change can keep us trapped. He shares personal stories—including losing everything in the Global Financial Crisis—and offers insight into how Acceptance & Commitment Training (ACT) and mindfulness can shift the way we live.

    Whether you’re curious about long-term travel, downsizing, or simply living with more presence and ease, this video will speak to your soul.

    Topics covered:

    • The difference between tourists and mindful travelers
    • How 3-month visas can support a slow, intentional lifestyle
    • Why belief systems from childhood still shape our decisions
    • What mindfulness really is (hint: not just meditation)
    • How to develop your “wise self” and let go of control
    • Using suffering as a doorway to freedom

    📘 Plus, download my free 80-page ebook to dive deeper into these ideas and start living more fully:
    👉 https://gotravelmindfully.com

    🗺️ Let’s unhook from autopilot and start living more mindfully, one breath, one country, one present moment at a time.

    Here’s the YouTube video…

  • 🌿 How to Unhook and Be Truly FREE

    In this deeply personal and thought-provoking video, Mark from Go Travel Mindfully reflects on what it means to be truly free in a world full of expectations, pressure, and noise. Broadcasting from a quiet Tasmanian morning, he shares insights on unhooking from the dominant narratives of success, productivity, and control—and reconnecting with the present moment.

    Drawing inspiration from the philosopher Albert Camus, Mark explores the idea that “the only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” He discusses the trap of modern capitalist life, the power of mindfulness, and the importance of gently observing our thoughts without clinging too tightly to beliefs or outcomes.

    You’ll also learn a simple yet powerful grounding practice—wriggling your toes and taking slow breaths—to help return to the here and now. This video is a reminder that freedom isn’t out there—it’s found in how we relate to our inner world and how lightly we can hold onto “truths.”