Apparently I Need Your Ideas (Try Not to Enjoy This Too Much)

So yes, yes - you guys are amazing.

I wouldn't be here without you. Rah rah. Cue the violins.

But let's not get carried away - I still do all the hard work around here.

Luckily, I enjoy it - probably too much.

I’ve asked for advice before and it’s never been wasted.

Whether I took it is another story entirely.

I heard you though… and then possibly proceeded to do exactly what I was already going to do anyway.

Don’t take it personally. It’s a blanket policy - I ignore myself too.

When All Your Passions Accidentally Collide

Lately, everything I'm doing (except working... let’s not be ridiculous) seems to be quietly aligning into something I've always dreamed about.

Which is annoying, because I spent years assuming life would make sense through some grand master plan.

Turns out it was just me stumbling around long enough for my obsessions to bump into each other.

But two things still elude me - small towns and conversation. Actually, conversations IN small towns - that's the sweet spot.

The small-town side is already happening. I'm experiencing little bits and pieces of places most people drive straight through, and I'm loving sharing those stories.

But the conversation side? That's the one that's always been lurking in the background.

For years there was a man in my neighbourhood who walked.

Every. Single. Day.

Backpack on. Same route. Same mystery.

I never knew where he slept, where he was going or why he walked - I just knew I wanted to ask.

Then COVID hit, I started walking too… and suddenly it made sense. Sometimes walking isn’t about going somewhere - it's about clearing everything else out.

I still regret never stopping to hear his story.

Although, given my social skills, there's every chance this post would now be coming to you from a padded room.

Sit Down, Sheila

Now yes... sit down, Sheila. This may come as a shock.

There has always been a part of me that wants to give back - there. I said it.

Don’t make it weird.

The problem is that I have a complicated relationship with "charity."

Firstly, the truly charitable people are usually the ones you never hear about.

The ones broadcasting their generosity to the world - that's usually marketing.

Then there's the process. Sheila... sit. I'm not talking about South Africa. I mean globally. I am never sure the help actually reaches the people it's meant for.

.

Thirdly—and here's where my halo starts slipping—I am selective.

I'd rather help people who are trying to help themselves but just need someone to open a door, than people waiting for someone else to carry them through it..

See? The nice part of me always comes with a disclaimer.

No, I'm Not Starting a Fundraiser

Before anyone gets ideas - I’ve been hiking at least twice a week for two years.

If you didn’t know that, welcome - odd way to meet, but here we are.

No, I’m not giving up my adventures.

No, I’m not asking for money.

No, I’m not organising fundraising hikes.

Wrong guy.

What I do want is to use the walks I’m already doing - and whatever platform has accidentally formed around them - to tell people’s stories.

Properly.

Honestly.

Humanly.

Walk With Me

So here’s where I need you.

I want to sit with ordinary people who have extraordinary stories.

People building, surviving, trying, or quietly figuring it out.

The ones you’d never hear about unless someone bothered to ask.

If you know someone like that, introduce me.

We’ll walk.

We’ll talk.

I’ll ask too many questions and hope I do their story justice.

And if it helps them along the way - brilliant.

For them.

And, if I’m honest, a little bit for me too.

So…

Who should I be walking with?