Somewhere along the way, life and work blurred together.
Surf trips become storyboards, road trips become brand campaigns, quiet cabins become story locations, and tropical resorts become places where narratives unfold.
Somehow the things I love doing... also became the work.
A little reminder to myself and maybe to others, that the life you want can exist alongside the work you do.
I’m 31 and these are 7 things that have shaped me in ways I didn’t expect.
No perfect timing, no waiting for permission, just choosing the kind of life I want to look back on one day.
Which one hits you the most right now? 👀
1 girl, 20 hobbies… well, that’s all I could fit in this carousel.
Trust me, there are more.
But honestly? Having this many “things I love doing” has made my life feel so much bigger. There’s something magic about letting yourself explore different versions of yourself, the one who surfs at sunrise, who renovates her little sanctuary, the one who fishes, runs, camps, saunas, swims, creates, and tells stories for brands she loves.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to try something new, this is it.
Life gets really fun when you let yourself play.
recap on a wholesome weekend 🫶🏼
lots of ocean, lots of coffee.
on the cameras for the coolest TEDx Waihi Beach event
sunset dinner and little treats at the Mount
cosy nights by the fire
home cooked meals
lots of time with friends
my sweet doggies
and the best company
just one of those weekends that fills your cup in the simplest ways
I like my boots wet, my coffee hot, and my hobbies romanticised 🎣
One thing about going away with creative friends is they’ll turn your first attempt at anything into a full editorial.
Photos of my first time fly fishing captured by @stephbubble
life lately and wow, she’s been so very full 🤍🫶
so many beautiful moments, so much work behind the scenes
shooting campaigns with my girly Steph as part of our Steph&Steph packages
learning to fly fish which was definitely a highlight
weekends with lots of inspiring, creative humans
surfs, saunas
loving on my doggies, as always
sunrises, sunsets
a special 5-course dinner & wine pairing at Special Mention
a full house reset to feel cosy for winter
and finally back into a routine this week that feels really good
feeling like a very grateful girl 🫶
The pieces I reach for the most tend to become part of the stories I tell.
These boots have come with me through road trips, camping trips, long bush walks, and slow days at home. Some things quietly collect stories as they go 🤎
A few frame grabs of @blundstonenz paired with @ottway_thelabel and @nooan_socks
Still processing how much goodness fit into these few days.
Spent the weekend at a lake house for a Sony Fly Fishing Editorial experience with the loveliest bunch of humans, and came away with new friendships, inspiring conversations, a head full of ideas (and possibly a new hobby) 😏🎣
There was something special about being around so many creative people who make you think bigger! Very grateful for the laughs, the stories, the time outdoors, and the whole experience!
Big thank you to @stephbubble@cameron.walker_photography and @sonyalphanz for an epic few days!
@waitomotrailrun was one of those days you will not forget!
We didn’t quite know what we were getting ourselves into and we absolutely loved it. Running through mud, pitch black caves, river crossings, hill climbs, karst formations... moments where you question your life choices and somehow also have the best time! 🤣😅
There’s something about being out there in the wild, a little challenged, soaked head to toe, that just hits different. What an epic adventure run, one for the books!
I remember my first time walking this beach in the Cook Islands with my best girlfriends, just soaking it all in and not thinking about anything beyond the moment.
Now I get to come back and tell stories in places like this… which still feels so surreal!
Here’s a few moments captured by @stephbubble on our last trip capturing @sanctuary.rarotonga
I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world! 🤍🎂🌞
32 laps around the sun, and this one was really special!
A weekend of sleepovers, a cyclone, way too many bottles of bubbles, birthday breakfast, baby twin cuddles, my besties kids, stormy beach walks.. and it all ended with some of my favourite humans together for a private 1.5hr sauna session in the front yard, which turned into so much more than just a sauna.
Just one of those weekends that makes you stop and think wow, this is my life? And this is who I’m surrounded by 🥹
I feel so insanely grateful for the people in my life. Thank you for every message, call, FaceTime, visit, and for making not just my birthday, but my life, feel so special 🤍
A little love letter to the girl who decided to learn to surf 3 years ago 🤍🏄♀️
No idea what I was doing, just committing to all conditions and somehow it turned into a whole new version of life.
I learnt alongside some of my best girlfriends, which made it all the more special. It’s opened the door to so many places, people, and opportunities I never would’ve found otherwise.
From working with brands, resorts, shapers, photographers... all from trying something new in my late 20’s-early 30’s and having so much fun in the process.
Just a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new.
