Hi, I am Natalie
I am part of Yuujou because...
Travelling brought me joy jn my life at a time when I felt like all of my problems were crushing me from the inside out. That probably sounds super dramatic, but it's true. I've experienced problems with mental health since I was about 8 years old and I always felt different to the people around me. I felt like I had to hide who I was out of fear of rejection. The first time I went travelling by myself I thought I would last a few weeks, a month tops. But I lasted a whole year! I ended up meeting so many amazing people from all over the world and doing things that were way outside my comfort zone. I hiked, drove quadbikes and tractors, milked cows, picked orange trees, wrestled goats, learned new languages, and had a go at surfing. It made me realise that I had control over my mindset. I'm not magically cured of all my problems, but I learned to talk about them and see both problems and solutions in a new light. I still have a lot to learn, which is why I can't wait for a new adventure
Support me even if they don't always agree with me, lean on me if they need to, and be honest with me.
People have little compassion for others. Everyone has their own battles in life, even if it's not immediately obvious.
FOOD! And coffee.