As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I s As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I share with you some pictures of mine at 9 months, 9 years, 19 years, 29 years  to today 39 years old of age. Looking back at each decade, I feel both ‘older’ and ‘younger’, I see the change in my features, the change in my way of life, the change in my personality and the experience itched on my face. I am grateful for the life I have lived thus far and excited for the life I am yet to live. 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2026 - 39, (Home, England), I am ready for this final year before my 40s but also ready for this next decade. 
2016 - 29, (Oslo, Norway), this decade was about self discovery and building the life I dreamt about. The life that I am super proud of and truly grateful to be living. This decade, I built my financial life and in later years choose to heal from the trauma gained in the last decade and now I feel well equipped for the future. 
2006 - 19, (Glasgow, Scotland), I thought I was grown (look at the cheekbones 🤣🤣) and ready for the world, chiiiild was I wrong, let’s just say, I am still resolving the trauma the decade brought me but I am grateful because I met my best friends and made decisions for the future I wanted to have. (Spoiler alert - I did better than I dreamed). 
1996 - 9, (Home, Zambia) this was my birthday but my little sister insisted she had to be the one in the middle. The only way we knew whose birthday it was, was by standing in the middle but this year I remember baby sister crying her eyes out and refusing 🤨
1988 - 9 months, (Chililabombwe, Zambia) although my mother looks tired and traumatised😟, I know I was loved and happy. 
#happybirthday #happybirthday❤️ #newera #39
Attended #ascotraces for the second year running a Attended #ascotraces for the second year running and I am glad to have experienced the ‘Village enclosure’ this year, whilst I loved ‘Windsor enclosure’ last year, it’s not for me. Next year, I want Queen Anne’s enclosure. 💕 #girlsdayout #girlslikeus #ascotfashion
How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰 #hertripsabroad #bla How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰

#hertripsabroad #blackgirlstraveltoo #maldives #neverstopexploring #welltravelled
Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london because why not. My feet still hurt from the thought of how much walking we did, the fact that we walked from #bigben to #buckinghampalace is still fresh on my mind. 

#neverstopexploring
🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 So much happened and 🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 

So much happened and yet I can’t find the words.
It has been an amazing week here, definitely recom It has been an amazing week here, definitely recommend @iberostar in Agadir. 
#neverstopexploring #wanderlust #welltravelled #lifeofadventure #hertripsabroad
I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most rela I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most relaxing and fulfilling time of my life. Sometimes taking it slow and living in the moment is what the soul needs. 🥰🥰🥰
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 #hertripsabroad #solotravel #solotravelingisfun 
#blackgirlstraveltoo
I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after no I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after not visiting for almost 8years. 📍

#qatar #doha #qatarphotoinstagram  #solo travel #travelbug bestvacations igtravel travelpic travelblog beautifuldestinations tlpicks instatravel roamtheplanet traveldeeper travelgram travelinspo wanderlust instapassport exploretheworld travelpics travelmore passionpassport travelawesome lonelyplanet travelblogger travelphotography traveltheworld worldtraveler
Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the ye Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the year.
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A July Dreamer

A Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Lifestyle · July 3, 2018

Life Lessons learnt whilst traveling

Travel far enough that one day you meet yourself in the clouds, this is how far I wanna travel. Every month I sit down and think about where I want to go next, staring at my never-ending bucket-list. I am fortunate to be in a position where I can travel whenever and however I choose. This is not something I take for granted, I did not get here by accident, rather I worked for it.

Back in December 2015 I made a decision that would turn out to be the best of the best. I decided to stop waiting on people to help me fulfil my dreams, it’s a decision I celebrate every day of my life. Fear made me think I couldn’t navigate this big wide world alone and would rather hide. But I am thankful I did not cower but rather forged ahead and today I am celebrating.

lessons learnt traveling

Life Lessons learnt whilst Traveling

Traveling is something that you spend money on and makes you richer, richer in knowledge and wisdom. Every single time I travel, I learn something new and often it is about my own capabilities. Solo travelers will tell you doing things your way and at your own pace is the best feeling ever. But there also times when you found yourself lonely but it’s those times when you need to push yourself.

Regular readers would have already read how I spent 48 hours in Aalborg Denmark. What I did not share in that post is how much courage I needed to pull together to enjoy this visit. Not all travels one undertakes are as glamorous as people think nor are they as enlightening as one would like. Fortunately for me Aalborg proved to be such an amazing place that I wouldn’t mind going back. It is a city which for the first time since I started traveling I thought, you know what, I could actually live here.

When I arrived that Thursday morning, I had no clue how much I would enjoy my visit. With some cities because of how popular they are, you know in advance what kind of experience you might have. But with Aalborg, it was a little different, there weren’t many articles I could read up on. This did make me wonder if I should go or just stay at home. These thoughts were prevalent especially in the days leading up to my visit to Aalborg.

It is then I realised, it is important to be happy in your decisions and not second guess yourself. I am super glad I went, it turned out to be more than I had hoped for and definitely high on my list. Whenever you’re in doubt, think back to why you wanted to do something in the first place. Do you still recognise with the original thinking, is it something I want to do or continue doing. Only you can answer this for yourself, never allow anyone to control your happiness.

Bottom line, ‘Don’t wait for someone to make you happy, go out there and make yourself happy’. People can only add to your existing happiness, don’t be someone’s puppy.

In: Lifestyle

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Comments

  1. Laura - Dear Bear and Beany says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    That’s a great attitude to have and it’s working well for you, seeing so much of the world!

    Reply
  2. Rhian westbury says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    You’re right, only you can make yourself happy so if you want to do something or visit somewhere only you can make it happen x

    Reply
  3. Kirsty says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    It’s lovely to see you take control off your life na d live it how you want. I would be so worried about travelling on my own but that’s more because of my health issues than anything.

    Reply
  4. Becky Jarratt says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Well done for going on your own, even when you weren’t sure if it was the right thing to do. I’m glad your visit was worth the angst beforehand!

    Reply
  5. Emma Raphael says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    To be honest, that’s the kind of travelling I love the most. The kind that pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you do and see things that you might not otherwise! 🙂

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      October 8, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      I am in agreement, playing it safe is not always the way forward.

  6. Leighanne says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    I’m not a fan of my own company, so travelling solo hasn’t been something I’ve thought about.

    Maybe I should dip my toe into the whole solo traveller thing with a stayaction and see how i get on

    Reply
  7. Hannah says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    I’m a solo traveller and i enjoy it. I get to do my own thing and not have to worry about anyone else

    Reply
  8. Mellissa Williams says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    I usually find destinations I know nothing about are usually the most exciting. Places like Rome and Venice can give you high expectations and then can be a let down

    Reply
  9. Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy B says

    October 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Seize the moment and we totally agree, if you want to see the world don’t hold back x

    Reply
  10. Becky Jarratt says

    July 6, 2018 at 7:27 pm

    Well done for going on your own, even when you weren’t sure if it was the right thing to do. I’m glad your visit was worth the angst beforehand!

    Reply
  11. Kirsty says

    July 5, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    It’s lovely to see you take control off your life na d live it how you want. I would be so worried about travelling on my own but that’s more because of my health issues than anything.

    Reply
  12. Mellissa Williams says

    July 5, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    I usually find destinations I know nothing about are usually the most exciting. Places like Rome and Venice can give you high expectations and then can be a let down

    Reply
  13. Leighanne says

    July 5, 2018 at 7:57 am

    I’m not a fan of my own company, so travelling solo hasn’t been something I’ve thought about.

    Maybe I should dip my toe into the whole solo traveller thing with a stayaction and see how i get on

    Reply
  14. Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog says

    July 5, 2018 at 7:44 am

    Seize the moment and we totally agree, if you want to see the world don’t hold back x

    Reply
  15. Hannah says

    July 4, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    I’m a solo traveller and i enjoy it. I get to do my own thing and not have to worry about anyone else

    Reply
  16. Laura - Dear Bear and Beany says

    July 4, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    That’s a great attitude to have and it’s working well for you, seeing so much of the world!

    Reply
  17. Rhian westbury says

    July 4, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    You’re right, only you can make yourself happy so if you want to do something or visit somewhere only you can make it happen x

    Reply
  18. Emma Raphael says

    July 4, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    To be honest, that’s the kind of travelling I love the most. The kind that pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you do and see things that you might not otherwise! 🙂

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      July 4, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      I am in agreement, playing it safe is not always the way forward.

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I'm Miranda. Travel-Addict. Blogger. Moscato Addict. Weekend Escapist. Homebody. Countryside dweller residng in Oxfordshire.

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