- In 2014, I left my old life behind to circumnavigate Australia with my cat, Willow.
- Willow supported me as I reconstruct my life, and in 2016, I fulfilled Steph.
- Nearly 8 years later on, Steph and I are wed, and the 3 people are still taking a trip.
I frequently capture myself pondering the chain of choices that have actually led me to this location in my life. The inevitable reality is that none of it would have been possible if it wasn’t for my black cat, Willow.
It all began when a concept was planted in my head. For a long period of time, I had actually been dissatisfied, depressed, and nervous. For ten years, I had actually been walking in the incorrect instructions without questioning where I was going, going after another person’s dreams. I had an appealing profession in IT, a long-lasting relationship, and a great house, however I was unpleasant and stressed out. It all needed to go, which suggested tearing my life apart to discover the essence of what it actually indicates to me to live.
In 2014, I stopped my job, offered my house, and purchased a camper van. I wished to reside on the roadway and circumnavigate Australia. I chose to take my cat with me, not understanding how crucial that choice would be.
I left whatever that stood in my method — other than Willow
What occurred over the next year might potentially be the world’s most well-planned midlife crisis. I got some treatment, broke up with my sweetheart, handed in my notification, offered my house and all my things, and began building a camper van.
But there was one issue: my cat. She’d constantly existed to welcome me when I showed up home and to sleep on my legs during the night; she was worthy of more than to be dropped off at a shelter. My decision for producing a brand-new life could not surpass her friendship, so I chose to take her with me.
In our camper van, I developed a little kitchen area, cabinets to store my clothing, and a location for Willow’s food and water bowls. Willow was with me for every single action of the building procedure, checking out all the concealing areas as the van took shape.
The date of May 15, 2015, is engraved into my mind; it’s the day my life was divided in 2. It’s the day Willow and I drove onto the ferryboat that would take us from our island home of Tasmania to mainland Australia.
I had no concept what an important part of my journey this cat would end up being
As we took a trip through the vastness of the Australian continent, we saw the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical savannas of Northern Australia, and the wildflowers of Western Australia. It was a delight to see Willow flourish on the roadway. The camper van became her safe space — as it did my own. She enjoyed the air in her hairs and the desert sand in between her toe beans.
We created our relationship on those dirty roadways. If there was ever a minute I felt lonesome, Willow was there for me. If it wasn’t for her, I may have reversed.
On the roadway, I discovered the psychological space to discover what I really desired out of life. In looking after Willow, she taught me that I might like once again, however most significantly, she taught me I might be enjoyed once again.
And then we fulfilled Steph
The fact is that I wasn’t totally sure what I was trying to find when we struck the roadway all those years back. But 18 months into our journey, things began to make good sense when I fulfilled Steph in Perth, Western Australia. But Willow required a little bit more persuading.
With Steph on a working visa and Willow and I heading for Destination Unknown, I gambled and asked Steph to take a trip with us for a couple of months — a gesture that would permanently change the trajectory of our lives.
Steph accepted Willow and our non-traditional living scenario; Willow opened to Steph ultimately.
We quickly fell in love, however Steph needed to go back to the UK when her visa was up. Over the next couple of years, she flew to Australia to meet Willow and me. Willow was our guide on numerous experiences.
Our futures stayed unsure up until 3 years later on throughout a moonlit night at Rainbow Beach, Queensland, when I asked Steph to wed me. Not one to do things the traditional method, the next year, we got wed on our stand-up paddleboard on a Brisbane tank amongst the water lilies.
Everyone was anticipating us to settle, however we had other strategies
After 3 months on a blueberry farm, we went back to my home town of Hobart, Tasmania, where I discovered a job at a regional cat shelter. This was an extensive minute due to the fact that this was the exact same shelter Willow was from. This little cat had actually taken me all around Australia, brought me to my life partner, and had actually now led me to a brand-new job.
It existed that I recognized a profession didn’t need to be what I believed it was which I might utilize my abilities to help animal-welfare companies throughout the nation.
We have actually given that left Hobart and the 3 people are back on the roadway on a brand-new experience
As we start our next journey, Willow has actually now taken a trip over 60,000 miles. We do not actually understand where we’re going, however we understand we’ll be together.
I do not believe taking a trip is the remedy for anxiety or for your life issues, however it provided me breathing space and a platform where I might reassess my life — with Willow’s assistance, obviously.
Rich East shares Willow’s travel stories on his website vancatmeow.com
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