Allowing Surprise: Lauren Dionysius on Bali & Intuition
What happens when the freedom you’ve been looking for comes with more uncertainty than you expected?
When an unexpected rent increase pushed Lauren Dionysius to reconsider what came next, Bali entered the picture. What followed became about much more than changing locations.
Lauren joins Joan to talk about freedom, independence, intuition, belonging, and what it means to keep moving when you can’t see the whole path ahead.
In This Episode:
- The unexpected decision that led Lauren to Bali
- What freedom can reveal about independence and uncertainty
- Learning to trust the next step without having everything figured out
Resources and Links:
Connect with Lauren
🌐 bornenergy.com.au
🌐 wordsforwellbeing.com.au
📣 Instagram: @born_energy
🎙️ Have a leap story?Email leap@theleaplounge.com or DM @thejoanrussell.
✨ Work with Joan:Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation
🌐 The Leap Lounge🌐 Intuitive North
📣 Instagram: @theleaplounge | @thejoanrussell
📣 LinkedIn: Joan Russell
If this episode resonates with you, subscribe to The Leap Lounge, share it with someone standing at the edge of their own leap, or leave a review.
00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,480
I found out about six weeks
before my rental lease expired
2
00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,600
that the they were going to
increase it by 20%, which, you
3
00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:12,880
know, as a solo female on my
own, everything was on me and I
4
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,520
had to make a decision.
I remember very distinctly and
5
00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:20,320
just this thought, this tiny
soft thought that Clea popped in
6
00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:23,200
and said don't worry, you can
just go to Bali.
7
00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:28,720
The Lip Lounge, a podcast about
real people, real lips and what
8
00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:32,040
it took.
Hello and welcome to Leap
9
00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:34,240
Lounge.
I am here today with Lauren
10
00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,320
Dionysus, who's coming to us
from Malaysia.
11
00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,400
And it's fun because she lives
in Bali.
12
00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:46,960
She's originally from Australia,
but she's in Malaysia now, which
13
00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,320
there's a story behind that.
And that's part of her leap as
14
00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,360
well.
She's a business owner who wound
15
00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:59,240
up relocating because the rent
got too high, basically.
16
00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:01,840
And so, Lauren, welcome to the
Leaf Lounge.
17
00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:04,760
Thanks, Jane.
Thanks for having me.
18
00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:09,120
It's great to be here.
I'm I'm so happy that you're
19
00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,680
here.
So could you tell me where you'd
20
00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:13,800
like to start with your story
today?
21
00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,560
Yeah.
Well, I think let's let's dive
22
00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,440
into what you just mentioned
that yes, I'm currently in
23
00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:22,520
Malaysia and have been for three
weeks now.
24
00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,880
And yeah, it's all part of this,
this journey, this leap that I
25
00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:31,280
took to going to Bali.
My home country is Australia.
26
00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:36,880
And yeah, I found myself in a
really difficult situation where
27
00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:42,600
I had to make a decision about
whether to stay in Australia
28
00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,520
with the rising cost of living
or take a chance, take a risk,
29
00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:52,000
make that leap into a very new
and also daunting experience of
30
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:56,280
living in Bali.
So it's, it kind of sums up my
31
00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:00,040
journey really of just
surrendering to what I can't
32
00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:06,760
control and not stressing myself
out of it, trying to find the
33
00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:11,640
the adventures in the unexpected
and the delight in the
34
00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:18,000
unexpected, even if it was
totally unplanned and, and yeah,
35
00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,560
not where I thought I would be
at this point.
36
00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:25,200
So yeah.
That sounds about right.
37
00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,760
And that's an amazing way of
looking at it is just, you know,
38
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,360
just be one with it and just
roll with whatever is happening,
39
00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,080
you know, even whether it's
expected or unexpected.
40
00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:40,160
So and what happened to get you
to Bali is also kind of
41
00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,640
unexpected.
What led you to that path?
42
00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,120
Yeah.
Well as I, as we briefly
43
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:53,920
mentioned, my rent went up 20%.
I at that point in 2024, mid
44
00:02:53,920 --> 00:03:01,040
2024 in June, I was working part
time as a, as a copywriter back
45
00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:05,520
in Australia and I also ran my
own businesses as well.
46
00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:12,120
And yeah, I found out about six
weeks before my rental lease
47
00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,720
expired that the, they were
going to increase it by 20%,
48
00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:21,560
which you know, as a solo female
on my own, no financial
49
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:26,040
stability or security in the
form of a partner or family.
50
00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,200
You know, everything was on me
and I had to make a decision.
51
00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:34,840
Am I going to try to work even
harder just to be able to find
52
00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:38,560
this extra rent that I'm not
going to see?
53
00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:40,560
It's just going to go straight
to the landlord?
54
00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:44,600
Excuse me?
Or do I, you know, try something
55
00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:45,920
different?
Do I?
56
00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,600
You know, I love a simple
lifestyle.
57
00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,640
I love adventure, I love
exploring, I love meeting
58
00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,960
people.
I enjoy new experiences.
59
00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:59,680
And I'd already travelled
extensively in my 20s and 30s.
60
00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:04,960
And so I had packed up and lived
in the UK for a couple of years.
61
00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,040
I'd packed up and gone to Africa
to do some volunteering.
62
00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:13,200
So the concept wasn't totally
new to me, but it was new for
63
00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:17,200
that point in my life because I
was very happy in my apartment.
64
00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,040
I was very happy in the city
that I was living in.
65
00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,079
I had family there, I had
friends there.
66
00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,920
But interestingly, I look back
now and I had planned to go to
67
00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,080
Bali for a month.
I'd already booked my flights,
68
00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:34,720
I'd booked my accommodation and
it had been a while since I went
69
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:36,840
there.
So I thought, you know what, it
70
00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:40,120
feels feels good to to go and
visit Bali again.
71
00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:44,080
But it was 3 weeks before this
trip that I found out about my
72
00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,400
rent.
And so I decided quite quickly
73
00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:52,520
to postpone my flights until mid
August, which is when my lease
74
00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,000
expired on the apartment I was
renting.
75
00:04:55,520 --> 00:05:01,120
And yeah, use that time between
mid June and mid August to
76
00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,440
basically plan an international
move and and pack my life into
77
00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:10,640
storage and organize the things
I needed to organize and then go
78
00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,760
to Bali with without any
expectations.
79
00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:17,840
And that was really hard, but
also with the knowing that if it
80
00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:23,160
didn't work out or would prove
to be not a good step for me,
81
00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,520
then I had choices.
I could go back to Australia, I
82
00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:30,200
could go somewhere else.
So, so that's what I did on the
83
00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:35,640
11th of August 2024.
I got on that plane to Bali.
84
00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,440
And apart from my little stint
in Malaysia right now, I'm still
85
00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:43,480
there and.
And what you said about being a
86
00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,560
single female, you know, not
necessarily having the support
87
00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:51,280
that so many other people have,
how true is that?
88
00:05:51,280 --> 00:05:54,440
I mean, I feel that as a single
female myself, you know, having
89
00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,880
to support myself.
And it's hard to ask other
90
00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,280
people to support you when
everyone else sees you as being
91
00:06:01,280 --> 00:06:06,600
independent. 100% and I've been
very independent since I was 19
92
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,360
like, you know, living on my
own, like financially
93
00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,080
independent at that point.
So it's, I think it's sort of
94
00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,760
gets to a point for me where
I've become almost hyper
95
00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:19,400
independent to the point that I,
I hate asking for help and I
96
00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:24,200
have this almost stubbornness of
like, I can do this, like I want
97
00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,320
to do this on my own.
But I think sometimes the, the
98
00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:31,640
shadow side of that is that
everything comes back to me.
99
00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,600
You know, it's all on me.
There's there's a lot of
100
00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:39,840
pressure to, to make ends meet,
to earn the money, to make all
101
00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:42,440
of the decisions.
You know, even just with the
102
00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,800
visa situation, there's so many
decisions I've needed to make
103
00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:51,200
around that and so many changes
to plans that I've needed to
104
00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,880
adjust to.
And yeah.
105
00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:57,640
And just living in Bali and
where to move to and when to
106
00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:04,760
move and, you know, how to spend
my days and how to, how to live,
107
00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,840
how to travel.
Like there's so many decisions
108
00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,840
and many of these decisions are
really exciting for me.
109
00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:18,840
But it's, it's this realization
of how much it all comes back to
110
00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:21,560
me.
You know, it's all, it's all on
111
00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,080
my shoulders.
There's no one's going to come
112
00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,640
in and save me.
Nobody's going to just take
113
00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:31,160
everything off my plate.
Nobody's going to make these
114
00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,640
decisions for me.
And nor should they either,
115
00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:35,360
right?
Because it's my life and my
116
00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:40,600
experience and I'm, you know, it
is about what I want and don't
117
00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,320
want.
But yeah, it certainly, it
118
00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,880
certainly has its challenges
when it all comes back to you.
119
00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,640
And yes, of course, you know, I
can talk through things with,
120
00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,680
with friends.
But you know, again, especially
121
00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:59,400
friends back in Australia, they
have no idea what this lifestyle
122
00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:03,320
is like because it's so
different from the lifestyle
123
00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,480
that we shared two years ago.
And, and further back from that
124
00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:11,240
where, you know, we had a lot
more in common.
125
00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:16,000
But now it's like, unless you
really live the essentially the
126
00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,800
digital nomad life in a foreign
country, running your own
127
00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:24,240
businesses fully online, unless
you live that, it's very, very
128
00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:30,000
hard to to understand that.
And for me to find people who
129
00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:35,360
really get that when they're not
living that, you know what I
130
00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,799
mean?
So yeah.
131
00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:43,240
So did you ever feel like an
outcast from all of this?
132
00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,360
Yeah, look, it was, it was
really hard and it was something
133
00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,240
that I was probably in denial
about for a long time.
134
00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,160
And I realized probably the
first 18 months of being in
135
00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:59,360
Bali, I was trying too hard to
be honest, to maintain those
136
00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,520
friendships despite the the
differences.
137
00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:07,320
And I was still trying to keep
the friendships as they were
138
00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:09,320
when we all lived in the same
town.
139
00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,320
Well, I'm the one that left.
I'm the one that left the
140
00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,280
country that moved away.
So I, I think I had put a lot of
141
00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,040
pressure on myself to maintain
those friendships.
142
00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,640
But when I went back to
Australia and suddenly I have
143
00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:28,200
all of these people that I need
to catch up with, they, they
144
00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,640
weren't very forthcoming.
And I realised I was the glue.
145
00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,480
I was the one making all the
effort.
146
00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:38,840
I was the one that was kind of
overcompensating for my move.
147
00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:43,400
And when I stepped back, I saw
there was probably only two or
148
00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,400
three of those friends who
stepped forward and said, hey,
149
00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:48,920
do you want to catch up?
Like, I'd love to hear what's
150
00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,800
going on.
And so it was really, I went
151
00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,840
through a very deep process of
grief around my friendships, a
152
00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,960
sense of isolation and
alienation, but also clarity
153
00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:05,160
that I need to, I can still keep
my old friends.
154
00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:09,080
I don't need to ditch them.
But I need to put energy into
155
00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:14,120
meeting people who are living
the lifestyle I'm living so that
156
00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:17,760
I can have that not only that
connection and that
157
00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:23,120
understanding, but also the
support of people who really get
158
00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:28,480
that.
So yeah, I did feel very on the
159
00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:33,600
elder and I and A really deep
sense of solitude, not so much
160
00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,800
loneliness.
I'm used to my own company.
161
00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:37,680
I'm very happy in my own
company.
162
00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:43,760
But this, it was this sense of
wow, I really am alone here.
163
00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:49,040
But also like this sense of
almost like liberation of, oh, I
164
00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,520
don't have to keep trying so
hard to keep my friends.
165
00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:56,840
And again, coming back to trust
that, oh, I feel like I can
166
00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:03,360
trust that those who are meant
to stay in my life will stay and
167
00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:07,080
those that won't, won't.
And also those that do stay,
168
00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:12,400
allowing those friendships to
shift and change without
169
00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:14,960
expectation.
So I got through to this point
170
00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,160
where I just let everybody off
the book.
171
00:11:17,560 --> 00:11:19,480
Oh, I haven't spoken to them for
a while.
172
00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:22,560
I'd like to send them a message.
Oh my God, I haven't heard from
173
00:11:22,560 --> 00:11:24,400
them for so long.
Like maybe they've forgotten
174
00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:27,720
about me or, you know, I need to
keep that friendship.
175
00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:29,800
I'd so.
And reaching out from that
176
00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:32,320
space, I realized didn't feel
good.
177
00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:36,280
Whereas reaching out from more
of an intuitive space, I'd often
178
00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,880
get a response like, Oh my God,
I was just thinking of you and I
179
00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:40,760
was going to message you and you
beat me to it.
180
00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:47,840
And so it just felt much more
aligned to to be more aware
181
00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:54,160
around those friendships, those
connections, why I was reaching
182
00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:56,520
out.
Also allowing others to come to
183
00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:00,320
me as well, but also, as I said,
putting my energy into
184
00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:07,160
relationships and friendships on
the grounds with people who were
185
00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,240
living the life that I was
living.
186
00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:14,080
And that has been, but also
without expectation, you know,
187
00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:15,920
and that's been a game changer
for me.
188
00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,680
And that's only been in the last
two to three months that I've
189
00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:22,360
had that shift.
So that's.
190
00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:26,320
So cool, because I mean, I wish
I learned that so much sooner
191
00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:30,440
about just being able to let it
go instead of I'm trying to be
192
00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:32,720
the glue holding it all
together, you know?
193
00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:35,880
And as you move and you change,
your friends move and change
194
00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:37,880
too.
And in your case, it was a much
195
00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,600
bigger move and people were just
like, I don't get it, including
196
00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:46,520
family members. 100%, Yeah.
Yeah, absolutely.
197
00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,920
Absolutely.
Yeah, I, I totally know what you
198
00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:53,520
mean because I mean, solopreneur
here and my friends have no
199
00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:55,640
idea.
You need to be around people who
200
00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,520
understand that and get it
sometimes too.
201
00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:01,080
And it's hard to get away from
that hyper independence.
202
00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:06,880
So at the same time, I also love
what you said when you were
203
00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:11,560
figuring out, you know, well, do
I want to stay and pay the 20%
204
00:13:11,560 --> 00:13:14,920
but I can't afford it.
But you had this intuitive
205
00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:19,200
knowing that you were supposed
to go to Bali and you were
206
00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:23,200
supposed to relocate there.
It was, it was very strong.
207
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:27,000
I remember thinking, oh, she's
so lucky because she has the
208
00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:32,320
that freedom.
She she's not sort of tied to a
209
00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,960
location or a place.
And part of me was envious of
210
00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:41,360
that, but not enough to want to
at that point pack everything up
211
00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,080
and and leave permanently.
Oh yes, I remember what that
212
00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:48,120
feels like to to have that sense
of freedom.
213
00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,520
Hey Lauren, can I pop over and
see you for a few minutes?
214
00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,200
I just want to talk to you about
something.
215
00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:55,480
I knew instantly something was
wrong.
216
00:13:56,640 --> 00:14:02,040
And I remember very distinctly
as I was walking my way through
217
00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:06,040
my living room to my front door
and just this thought, this tiny
218
00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:10,080
soft thought that Clea popped in
and said, don't worry, you can
219
00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,280
just go to Bali.
And then of course, like a
220
00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,200
minute later, I'm standing at my
door with the property manager.
221
00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:19,960
And he said, look, I'm really,
really sorry to, to tell you
222
00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:21,480
this.
And he had a bunch of paperwork
223
00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,720
in his hand.
But he said, you know, I've been
224
00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:29,280
speaking with the landlords and
he is very adamant that he wants
225
00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:34,680
to increase your rent by 20%.
Are you greedy, landlord?
226
00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,640
You're already getting X amount
for this property that's 15
227
00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:39,560
years old and nothing's been
done on it.
228
00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:43,760
But there's also part of me
that's like, oh, I just have
229
00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,440
that thought about going to
Bali.
230
00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:49,600
Like, could this be my
opportunity to, to do that?
231
00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:53,040
Because now it's like my world
has opened up.
232
00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,880
Even though initially it felt
like the walls were closing in
233
00:14:55,880 --> 00:15:00,920
on me, especially financially.
I was like, well, my businesses
234
00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:03,800
are run too and now are both
remote.
235
00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:08,360
I was just working locally
because that's where I was at
236
00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,840
the time.
But my businesses were both
237
00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:14,480
location independent.
And I also had another part time
238
00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,160
job at the time that was also
remote, fully remote.
239
00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:22,000
And so I thought I don't
actually need to be here on the
240
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:27,520
Gold Coast to, to live my life.
I could really take that leap
241
00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:32,680
now and, and actually do the,
the remote working thing from
242
00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:35,600
another country.
I wonder maybe in the future I
243
00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:40,440
could, you know, have two homes
like maybe, you know, Australia
244
00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:44,720
and somewhere else.
I, I realized within 24 hours, I
245
00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,440
knew that I wasn't going to stay
and that I was going to go to
246
00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:50,320
Bali, something new and
exciting.
247
00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:53,160
But then there's other part of
me that's like, but I like the
248
00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,160
stability and the security of
having my own space and having
249
00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,320
that home base, you know?
Do you have that?
250
00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,200
Do you feel like you've got that
sort of stability on ballet now
251
00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:05,560
like you did, or is it
completely different?
252
00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,120
No, no.
It's been a really interesting
253
00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:12,720
journey.
It's one thing that's happened
254
00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:25,320
in Bali is it's really strips me
bare of any attachments.
255
00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:33,400
So things like family, things
like friends, things like my
256
00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:40,240
daily walks around the lake or
living near the beach or even
257
00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,680
having that home base.
I did have probably for the
258
00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:50,280
first, I want to say the first
two months I travelled a lot
259
00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,680
because it was, it was a
novelty.
260
00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:58,040
And then the following year, so
beginning of 2025, I did find
261
00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:03,480
somewhere a home base in a
little apartment in Ubud and I
262
00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,440
stayed there for probably it was
the best part of a year.
263
00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:12,160
But then I started to to get
itchy feet again.
264
00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:17,359
So I did some more travel and
earlier this year I went back to
265
00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:19,160
Australia to do some house
sitting.
266
00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,520
And then when I came back to
Bali in April this year, I
267
00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:26,079
thought, oh, I just like, I was
really craving that base.
268
00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:30,960
I was really like, I was pining
for it because I was tired of
269
00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,560
the changes.
I was tired of, you know,
270
00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:35,720
jumping from guesthouse to
guesthouse.
271
00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:40,520
And you know, and I was, I was
travelling quite cheaply as
272
00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,920
well.
So I was, I was at the lower end
273
00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:48,000
of the, the accommodation
spectrum for price and things
274
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,960
like that, travelling on a
budget because that's kind of
275
00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,560
what you do when you have your
own business and it's, and the
276
00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,960
income is very unpredictable.
You know, in the busy times,
277
00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,920
you're like, I don't know how
long this needs to last.
278
00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,080
And then it's low.
And then it's like, OK, I need
279
00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,560
to save my pennies.
But it was this experience for
280
00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:08,400
me where I had to.
And this has been my journey
281
00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:13,040
since April is really letting go
of this attachment.
282
00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:16,600
I'm like, I really and even now
being here in Malaysia, I've
283
00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:20,080
already moved six times, not
because of my own choice, but
284
00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:25,880
because of dodgy accommodation
places, being full travel, like
285
00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,680
all of these things.
And I'm like, I'm craving now
286
00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:32,720
just to, I want to get back to
Bali, get back to Inboard and
287
00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:37,520
just rent my own villa again,
that I can stay indefinitely.
288
00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:44,560
But despite since April trying
to find a villa, it just has not
289
00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:46,240
worked.
And it's been really
290
00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,520
frustrating.
But then I found out I needed to
291
00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,040
leave the country because of my
visa.
292
00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:55,480
And now I can see why I didn't
find that base because I, you
293
00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,000
know, I'd only be there for a
couple of months and then I'd
294
00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,360
need to leave Indonesia.
And then I, you know, I'd
295
00:19:00,360 --> 00:19:03,560
obviously have to be paying
double expenses unless I wanted
296
00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:09,040
to give up that villa.
So it makes sense now, but but
297
00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:11,360
it's, it's like going back to
what I was saying about being
298
00:19:11,360 --> 00:19:16,120
stripped bare.
I feel like the things that I, I
299
00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:21,000
kind of have attached to that
helped me feel safe, which is a
300
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:25,520
home base.
It's a job because that little
301
00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:29,240
part time copywriting job that I
had, I was made redundant six
302
00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,240
weeks after moving to Bali.
So that was another piece of
303
00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:38,240
stability that that fell away.
So what do you know about
304
00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:42,320
trusting yourself now that you
would never have known if you
305
00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:47,080
didn't take this I?
Think I've finally started to
306
00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,440
believe and trust that things
always work out.
307
00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:54,120
The known always becomes known
at some point.
308
00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:59,880
And this feeling of I look back
to in my life and you know, when
309
00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:04,640
I think of the times where I
haven't known what to do or
310
00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:10,240
haven't.
Haven't had a plan, or didn't
311
00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:12,760
know what the next steps were or
really confused.
312
00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:16,120
Something has always happened
and in those turning points it's
313
00:20:16,120 --> 00:20:19,960
always been completely out of
left field.
314
00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:24,000
It hasn't come from a plan.
It hasn't come from one of the
315
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,280
multiple lists I have on my
phone.
316
00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:33,640
It's come to me in a very
unexpected, very random, it
317
00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:37,200
feels way.
And so I think with that pattern
318
00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,040
that's happened so many Times
Now and I think it happens to
319
00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,720
all of us if we're open to, if
we're open to that.
320
00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,640
And that's why my motto now is
like allowing myself to be
321
00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:52,320
surprised because when I let go
of that and just trust that the
322
00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,600
next steps will be there.
The the steps are being laid.
323
00:20:56,600 --> 00:21:00,320
They're not the yellow brick
path is not complete already.
324
00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,280
It's like we're building it as
we go, as we go.
325
00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:08,640
Then that's helped me to to
trust the process more and trust
326
00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:12,840
myself more.
That as long as I stay true to
327
00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:17,280
myself, as long as I do what I
feel called to do, whether
328
00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:19,680
that's intuitively or whether
it's just because it's something
329
00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:23,240
I like or something I want to do
or feels good, feels right.
330
00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:29,440
Allowing that to be what guides
me rather than I should be doing
331
00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:33,880
this or, you know, I've had a
lot of issues with anxiety and,
332
00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:39,080
and lack of trust in my life.
And, you know, and also booking
333
00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:43,000
to other people, you know, to
teachers and, and mentors or
334
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:49,840
coaches to, to guide me in that.
But now realizing that I'm in
335
00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:52,520
the driver's seat of my life.
And it sounds like maybe a
336
00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,520
little bit cliche, but I feel
like I'm really living this now.
337
00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:59,440
Like I'm in the driver's seat.
And yes, I can have a teacher or
338
00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:02,720
a guide or a coach or a mentor
in the passenger seat with me or
339
00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:05,600
a friend, you know, whatever it
is.
340
00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:09,520
But really trusting my
intuition, trusting my inner
341
00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:16,800
knowings, trusting, trusting
what feels good and trusting
342
00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:19,920
that that is the next step or
it's going to lead me to the
343
00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:23,800
next step, rather than it coming
from a place of should or a
344
00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:27,360
place of logic, which doesn't
always line up with that, with
345
00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:30,320
that inner knowing.
I, I love your motto, allowing
346
00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:34,120
myself to be surprised.
God, I wish it did.
347
00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:36,800
I mean, I it's one of those
things where I just want to ask
348
00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:39,440
what's next?
But you don't know because it's
349
00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:44,240
all about letting go and
trusting for you right now, you
350
00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:46,920
know so.
Yeah.
351
00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:51,200
What would you recommend for
other people who want to take
352
00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:58,600
the journey to Bali?
Yeah, IIA 100% say do it.
353
00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:03,600
Bali is a very beautiful people,
a beautiful country with very
354
00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:06,080
kind people, very friendly
people.
355
00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:10,160
I've never as a a solo traveller
is female.
356
00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:13,360
I've had zero issues.
It's just a very different way
357
00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:17,120
of living.
But I'd also say take it step by
358
00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:20,840
step.
Don't be like me and try to have
359
00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:25,120
steps A-Z figured out before you
get on the plane.
360
00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:30,040
Just have steps ABC.
You know, have your flight
361
00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:36,960
booked, booked, have some
luggage, have a villa or a guest
362
00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:41,400
house or a homestay booked maybe
for the first week or two and
363
00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:48,040
trust that you will know what to
do next because Bali is like
364
00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,920
that.
It's, and I hear this from so
365
00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:54,760
many people I've met in Bali
from all over the world, that's
366
00:23:55,240 --> 00:24:00,400
Bali calls you.
It's somewhere there where you
367
00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:05,160
feel the pool to go to Bali.
And there's because when you
368
00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:08,360
feel that pool, it's because
there's something there waiting
369
00:24:08,360 --> 00:24:11,240
for you.
And for me, it's been meeting
370
00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:15,360
amazing people from all over the
world, being able to live a
371
00:24:15,360 --> 00:24:19,640
quality of life that I would
never have been able to afford
372
00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:23,840
in Australia.
So if you are looking for a
373
00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:27,680
simple lifestyle, because it is,
it is simple over there.
374
00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:31,640
If you're looking for a slow
lifestyle, the balines, they do
375
00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:36,320
not hurry.
My biggest piece is just allow
376
00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:41,640
yourself to be surprised and
allow yourself to take that leap
377
00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:47,520
without seeing the net, but
knowing that the net is there
378
00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:51,600
even if you can't see it yet.
And I have come across that with
379
00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:58,000
everybody that I've met in Bali
to have, for reasons similar to
380
00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:02,040
my own, have wanted that
simpler, slower lifestyle.
381
00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:04,680
And they just feel that pull
then.
382
00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:09,240
Yeah, I'm, I'm sure that you'll
have an amazing experience
383
00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:12,960
because Bali will surprise you
in ways that you can't even see.
384
00:25:13,120 --> 00:25:16,720
And it will hold you.
It will support you.
385
00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:21,480
You'll meet amazing people.
You'll have great experiences.
386
00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:27,520
You'll be immersed in the, the
culture, the simplicity, the
387
00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:31,240
slowness, the freedom.
If you're looking for freedom in
388
00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:35,280
your life, go to Bali.
I've got to a point where I have
389
00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,000
too much freedom.
Now I'm feeling I need a little
390
00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:41,560
more structure in my life
because freedom is my top value.
391
00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,000
So.
So yeah.
392
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:48,720
But my my advice is, is just do
it and just do one step at a
393
00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:53,200
time and the steps will unfold
that I can guarantee you of
394
00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:57,240
that.
Thank you so much for sharing
395
00:25:57,240 --> 00:25:59,440
your leap with us today and your
story.
396
00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:04,600
How can our listeners reach you
for additional information or to
397
00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,320
know more about you or your
business?
398
00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:11,240
Yeah, well, feel free anyone who
is interested in taking taking
399
00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:14,440
the leap to Bali and especially
if you are a business owner,
400
00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:21,760
feel free to to reach out to me.
I'm on I'm on Instagram.
401
00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,320
I have two businesses, Born
Energy, which is about
402
00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:27,120
connecting with the the souls of
babies and children.
403
00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:30,600
I also have my own copywriting
business, Words for well-being
404
00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:35,840
and that is about creating words
for purpose LED business owners
405
00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:39,480
and strategic websites that are
simple and easy to to read.
406
00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:42,760
So you can find me on my
websites, which is born
407
00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:47,040
energy.com.auorwordsforwellbeing.com
dot AU.
408
00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:52,020
I'm also on Instagram just for
the baby business at Born under
409
00:26:52,020 --> 00:26:55,200
score Energy.
So feel free to DM me.
410
00:26:55,360 --> 00:26:58,240
My e-mail addresses are there
and they're on my website, so
411
00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:00,920
you can also shoot me an e-mail
if you wanted to as well.
412
00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,800
Thank you, Lauren, and all that
information will be in the show
413
00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:07,960
notes.
I appreciate you being on here
414
00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,520
today and wishing you the best
of luck in a swift resolution
415
00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:15,520
for your all of your visas and
everything that you need and get
416
00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:18,880
back home where you can have a
home base for a little while.
417
00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:21,880
Thank you so much, Dane.
Thank you for having me.
418
00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:26,720
It was great to be here.
If this episode provided some
419
00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,880
inspiration to keep moving
forward, please like, share,
420
00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:33,080
comment, and subscribe.
And be sure to keep coming back
421
00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:36,040
for more conversations about
what happens when people answer
422
00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,800
the call to reconsider the
age-old question.
423
00:27:39,120 --> 00:27:42,000
What's next?
Until next time, keep moving
424
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:42,440
forward.