Before we jump into this week’s post—a big welcome to all my new subscribers! You might be here because of a set of photos I shared on Substack Notes.
One spontaneous note—a right-place, right-time shot—brought in an incredible response from the community. It’s been a fun reminder of what I love about Substack: no ads, no noise—just real stories, ideas, and creative connection. Hands down, it’s the most supportive, creative space I’ve found online. I’m proud (and a little amazed) to be part of it.
And did you know it’s officially been one year since I hit publish on my first post here? I had a big reflective post all lined up for February 2—one year to the day—but after rereading it, I scrapped the whole thing.
Instead of celebrating with a “lessons learned” post, I’m kicking off year two with a new goal: to dig deeper, share more vulnerably, and (finally) bring more of my photography into this space. This newsletter was always meant to blend stories and images, and it’s time to fully lean into that.
With that said, on to this week’s post!
Solo Ski Day! 🎿
In all my travels, I’ve never actually gone skiing alone. But I love pushing myself to do new things solo—it’s one of the best ways to grow.
Don’t get me wrong, I love sharing experiences with friends and family. But there’s something about doing things on your own that builds a different kind of confidence. And for me, that’s especially important as I navigate the start of a new chapter.
Spending a month solo in the Canadian Rockies is part of that journey—skiing, skating, and photographing these stunning winter landscapes. It’s a chance to test out if I really do love mountain life while rebuilding some self-reliance and trust in myself.
But it hasn’t been easy. I’m not exactly in peak shape right now. Between injuries and life/travel getting in the way, I’ve fallen out of my usual structure. And I definitely felt that on my first few runs. There were moments when I wondered, why am I doing this? But pushing through those doubts reminded me how much I’ve been rebuilding—not just physically, but in so many areas of my life.
I’ve spent years creating a life that looked amazing from the outside—traveling, living in new places, chasing experiences. It was everything I dreamed. But somewhere along the way, that dream stopped feeling like my dream. And that realization hit hard.
How do you walk away from a life so many people dream of?
For me, this trip is about figuring that out—listening to myself again and taking the time to rebuild my foundation.
Of course, there are moments of loneliness. Quiet nights when the world feels a little too still. I miss my friends and family, and I question whether this was the right decision. But there’s also something freeing about those quiet moments. They push me to trust myself in ways I wouldn’t if I were surrounded by other people.
And despite the nerves, there’s no better feeling than standing at the top of a run, looking out at the vast landscape, and realizing: I did this. That quiet pride is exactly why I keep pushing myself. Every little step builds confidence—whether it’s tackling a ski day alone or taking the first steps toward what’s next in life.
This trip is just getting started, and I can’t wait to share more—from solo skating on frozen lakes to photographing these incredible winter landscapes.
Until next time, thanks for joining me on the ride.
Your Call to Adventure (If You Choose to Accept!)
Take yourself on a mini adventure this week. It doesn’t have to be epic—just something that breaks your routine and pushes the edge of your comfort zone. Try something new, say yes to the unexpected, or take yourself out solo.
See where it leads. Trust yourself. And most of all, have fun with it.
