jaxgoes

[jaxgoes]

Yes, I was robbed.

Yes, I lost my entire first paycheck in five months.

Yes, my bag was locked.

No, I don't know who did it.

No, they didn't take my laptop, camera, hard drives, passport, bank cards or anything else.

Yes, I'm grateful.

Each time I find myself in seemingly unavoidable situations like this, I am finding peace with it more and more quickly.

When I saw my bag had been cut I was instantly thinking about losing my photos from my trip, and then I thought about losing the devices which makes those photos possible, my camera and laptop.

It wasn't until I realised these things were fine that I thought about my cash.

Money is money, it comes and goes throughout our lives. It's nothing. It's just a figure that we let limit our lives.

When I took this photo, I had driven for 12 hours straight through the night after working all day. I had no intention of ending up here, but suddenly at 6am, we rolled into beautiful Byron Bay in time for sunrise.

These memories are the things I'd rather spend my energy on.

[jaxgoes]

dorm rooms

okay so last night was beyond ridiculous in the realm of dorm room issues. i am currently staying in a 21 bed mixed dorm. not completely full, but there’s probably about 15 people in here i would assume. so a lot of people, and there’s bound to be some kind of friction because everyone is different and are here for different reasons. luckily i am not in any way sleep precious. the evening started…

[jaxgoes]

I am so up in the air. I feel like every time I try to make a decision and set a path for what I want to do next, something comes flying my way. I have been dabbling with the idea of getting a nose ring (sorry mum) and also I want to get a new tattoo. I don’t know if I want to go for a travel tattoo or not. Do I go with pictures or words or something else. Do I go big or small. Do I just get one…

[jaxgoes]

I don't know what to write

I don’t know what to write

I have started so many posts in the past few months. None of them have made it past a first draft. I have been pouring out my heart onto Instagram without a second thought but as soon as it comes to the ‘daunting’ task of writing a blog post, my writers block is in full effect. So I am going to try this one more time. I am going to free write, and let’s just see what happens. Currently it is…

[jaxgoes]

THE END OF MY EUROPEAN SUMMER // Jax Goes

[jaxgoes]

Live your absolute best life. Find the balance. I genuinely enjoy living in such a ‘natural’ way eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising often, taking time to myself, and just being the healthiest version of myself.. 98% of the time. Because damn do I love a good dance with a few too many drinks as well. This moment is absolute bliss and I’m so grateful that @phoebeleaah managed to capture this incredible shot. Do what makes you happy but with the hindsight of tomorrow as well (ie is the hangover really worth it ALL the time). You do you, and as long as you’re feeling more and more alive and aligned with what you’re supposed to each day, you’re doing great. #drink #drank #drunk #party #photography #selfie #jaxgoes #balance #brighton #wollongong #healthy #healthylifestyle #smile #happy #bliss #yes (at Wollongong, New South Wales)

[jaxgoes]

“Why do you travel?” Regardless of how much solo travel I’ve done, I haven’t had enough real solo time to truly process this question. My surface answer would be about how travel is a great experience and meeting new people is cool. Whilst true, that isn’t the genuine answer and I know it. From what I can fit in a caption it goes something like this; In Australia I was completely lost. I was searching for my people. I was running from my fears. I wasn’t happy with who I was, what I was doing, who I was around, or how I lived my life. That’s not to say I was unhappy or not enjoying life or the people I was with, but I knew there was more for me. Travel seemed like the biggest jump that I could make to shift everything. But all it did was distract me. New places, new people, new situations. You’re always ‘on’. It’s exciting and exhausting all at once. But deep down, it’s a distraction. People say you really ‘find yourself’ when you travel but it’s so easy to go 180 and lose yourself instead. Since my birthday I have felt so much love from everyone and everything in this world. From friends back home, to strangers online to the families I have created on my travels since then. Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey thus far, I appreciate every like, every comment, every conversation, every smile. I’ve opened up who I am to the world and the people I’ve been searching for are starting to appear one by one. #why #jaxgoes #travel #real #question #mosque #cordoba #spain #europe #trip #whatsyourwhy #think #dont #hide #explore #budgettravel #brighton #newlife #newpeople #searching #thoughts #latenight #appreciation #mezquitadecordoba #beautiful (at Mezquita-Catedral De Córdoba - Cordoba, Spain)

[jaxgoes]

This city blew me away. The beautiful colours. The history. The views. All of it. Definitely one of my top two favourite cities so far. I spent nearly a week in Porto and I had completely ran out of money; to the point where I couldn’t afford a bed for the following night. I spent €3 each day. €1 on a bread roll, €1 on fruit juice and €1 on chips. I met a stranger on my last day and after talking for a while, they insisted on giving me money because they wanted to pay it forward. It was an incredible synchronicity that this happened that day. In hindsight I see now that without my errors, bad judgement calls and failures, I wouldn’t have the positives I have in my life as well. This person that I met was incredibly damaging for me but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a positive impact as well. If there’s someone in your life that you want to blame for all the bad things they did to you, that’s fine. But you sure as hell better blame them for the good that’s come of it, and any positives as well. Sometimes a fresh perspective is needed in this world. Live as if you already have the hindsight that everything will be okay, and you’ll see that it will. Find the good, because it’s always there. #golden #porto #portugal #travel #jaxgoes #positive #blame #negative #accountability #experience #broke #homeless #budgettravel #storytime #europe #summer #2017 #travellog #money #euros #basic #living (at Porto, Portugal)

[jaxgoes]

Slowly starting to get the hang of the idea of not planning ahead. Not sure what the next six months will hold but I am at peace with that. It may be easy to look at all these beautiful pictures I post and think I’m so lucky to be here and to wish your were here too. Firstly, to that I would say, why can’t you? If you really want it you make it a priority. Of course I understand that some people aren’t in a position to save or drop everything right now, but in that case, take a step in the right direction. While you still cling to aspects of your comfortable homey lifestyle, long term travel will not be obtainable. Secondly, it’s not all beautiful sunsets and incredible days. I’ve been living off beans, rice, potatoes and oats for the past week. And not the fancy oats either; just oats, banana and soy milk. Don’t get me wrong I am extremely privileged and so grateful to have been brought up in a position where I have the power to choose, but I also know that it was me who made the decision to travel and leave everything behind. It’d be nice to eat out or shop for the nice foods and things I want. Sure it’d be nice to go out on weekends, or to go shopping for clothes somewhere other than a charity shop. But I can tell you that without a doubt, it’s better to be broke over here then it is at ‘home’. Live the adventure, because otherwise, what are you really living for? Take life as it comes. Go. #jaxgoes #travel #adventure #trip #tripofalifetime #paros #greece #sunset #2amthoughts #follow #your #passion #quit #your #job #live #now #fast #chase #the #dream #budgettravel #sunset #beautiful #canon #canonforum (at Brighton)

[jaxgoes]

The past week or so has been so up and down there’s not really one way to caption it. The highs have been high and lows have been low. Whilst I know I need to let these feelings run their course and pass through, it’s hard to find the balance between allowing myself to be sad and then wallowing in self pity which seems to be a favourite of mine. At the same time, I don’t want to block the negatives from myself because those feelings will stay there and they’ll be worse next time. This goes for positive feelings as well. If you need to cry, do it. If you need to laugh, go for it. Pain is just important to experience as happiness and it’s okay to be upset, even if it is over something small. Let go of people judging you on your feelings. They aren’t in your body and they don’t know each thing that has led you up to this point. Your feelings are valid. Let them be there. Spend some time to yourself, to let them process. I promise that you’ll be able to return to a more balanced temperament. At the same time, it’s important not to stew in your emotions and get stuck inside your head. Of course it’s important to be practical and to think things out logistically when stuff happens, but you don’t want to get stuck in a cycle of hypothetical scenarios which will probably never happen anyway. This will only draw negative energy towards you. I had to take some time off to deal with the past weeks whirlwind of things, but I am back now and I am refreshed and balanced. It’s time to take my own advice. You are valid, you are worthy, you are love ����💜 Also happy world vegan day everyone, give a plant-based diet a go for a week and tell me you don’t feel better 🌈🌱 #vegan #worldveganday #australia #porto #portugal #europe #jaxgoes #emotion #loa #feelings #feelinggood #feelingdown #energy #listen #travel #hostel #life #love #live #enjoy #balance #judgement #doyou #go (at Porto, Portugal)

[jaxgoes]

Imagine there’s something you see so differently than the world. You see dead bodies when you look at peoples plates, not just ‘food’. You see literal animal skin on people, not just shoes, wallets, bags and jackets. You go out to eat and you’re constantly looking for what food you can have; which ingredients don’t have body secretions. You walk around knowing that the people standing across from you at the station, on the street, at your office, in your home, are most likely contributing directly to this whether they realise it or not. You feel like you know this secret that seems so obvious and so clearly right and you feel like you’re screaming it out so loudly to everyone but no one can hear you. And then you go to VegFest. You walk around knowing that you can eat everything, that people share your ethics, that everyone gets you, that people understand where you’re coming from, they hear you. You never have to explain why or hear people’s excuses for why they continue to support so much pain and suffering. Anything they’re wearing has nothing to do with animals and the space you’re all sharing is free from cruelty, suffering and pain. And then not only that, but whilst you’re walking around this space, you see one of the people that you listened to. A person who was yelling out to you all those months ago and you heard them. You see someone who was such a driving force in you making the biggest and best change in your life. Thank you @jamesaspey and @vegfestuk for opening my eyes and providing such a comfortable space where no one has to explain themselves and everyone just gets it. Thank you for explaining that it’s actually more extreme to consume animal products then it is to avoid them. Thank you for sharing stories and inspiring so many just like me to make the change. I hope that everyone gets to experience the happiness and love and peace I’ve felt these last few days. And I hope if you’re reading this and you haven’t given veganism a second thought, that maybe you will now. #govegan #vegan #vegfestuk #vegfest #london #jamesaspey #jaxgoes #volunteer #weekend #festival #beautiful #best #days #positive #vibes #life #changing (at Olympia London)

[jaxgoes]

What an incredible day. Both the day in the photo and today. I felt inspired by @whoknowswherenext and their photo of this beautiful place just outside Bilbao, Spain. This morning I found out I got accepted for my absolute dream job. It’s so crazy how the world works. As soon as you let go and stop fighting and fearing, the universe has this crazy way of carrying you. Your intuition knows what you need to be doing and if things aren’t where you want them to be right now, then let go of the fear of that and live in each moment. Once you start doing that, the universe hears you, and brings you what you need. Let each worried thought come, and then let them go. Stop blocking their flow, stop holding on to them. Embrace each moment because right now, is the only thing that is real. Everything else is all in your mind. The present moment is the only tangible thing we have right now. Miracles happen everyday, and if you’re stuck in thoughts of the past or the future, you miss them. But they are there. Sending out so much love to everyone today. I am glowing. #gameofthrones #got #spain #busabout #job #loa #love #jaxgoes #castle #spirit #vibes #positive #miracle #give #live #go #glowing (at Bilbao, Spain)

[jaxgoes]

I’m letting go and going to be at peace with whatever happens next. This afternoon I sat and enjoyed this beautiful sunset in Brighton. I am letting go of all fear and worry I have about the future. I have £400 left with no savings to fall back on and no job prospects or home. Leaving it up to the universe to bring me what I need. Manifesting a beautiful life in whatever form that may come. Enjoying each day and noticing each synchronicity as it happens. This is real living. https://youtu.be/k8TPQ1Ma-_I #manifest #sunset #brighton #adventure #loa #synchronicity #england #newjob #lettinggo #beautiful #live #now #go #jaxgoes #whatsnext (at Brighton)

[jaxgoes]

London has been great and getting back into that city life has been a really nice contrast after living so quietly in the countryside in Ireland for so long. This being said, the way this city is and amount of stuff that’s always going on here is a bit too much for me. It’s time to head south, to the ocean, to a smaller city, and hopefully get a job and a place to live. If not, we’ll have to start getting creative. London I’ll be back soon. For now, Brighton needs me. 📷: Paddington Station // 17:56pm #paddington #station #train #london #new #life #whatsnext #jaxgoes #follow #the #adventure #loa #lta #livetheadventure #photography #canonforum #canon #vegan #newbeginnings #needajob #needahome #brighton #imcomingforyou (at London Paddington Station)

[jaxgoes]

I find it difficult to wake up early. But I find it more difficult to go to sleep before midnight. I feel this guilt for staying up late and then being tired in the afternoon because I woke up early. Why have we allowed society to control so much of our lives? What if some people just don’t sleep the same as other people, just as some are better at different sports or subjects or instruments? Why do we let ourselves get so caught up in trying to do the ‘right thing’ according to society yet spend so much time being jealous, negative and judgemental? Social media is a place of so much hate yet so much love, it all depends on where much way you look and what you put out to people. I’ve always felt like social media is a way for me to watch these online ‘personalities’ without ever getting to really connect with them.. then one day a few months ago I started reaching out to all the incredible people that inspire me on this incredible platform daily. And you know what? I got responses. An overflow of love and connection and knowledge that they are in fact people too. Now I have received messages from other people doing the same thing and it’s so cool to just watch the good energy that comes back to you when you put out those good vibes. Instead of scrolling and judging, or silently admiring creators; message them. Let them know. You never know what it could do for them until you try. Thank you to all the creators out there that inspire me to keep creating and thriving and living not just surviving and making it through life. You guys are the real deal. Stay golden 👊🏽 @thedroneman @plantifulsoul @maddielymburner @ellenfisher @saltsandandsmoothies @shannon_sea @alliemichellel @raquellemantra #latenight #thoughts #jaxgoes #flow #writing #photography #inspire #england #travel #vegan #livingthedream #appreciation #love #vibes #sendit #go #liveyourbestlife #london #whatsnext (at London, United Kingdom)

[jaxgoes]

no bags, no worries. carrying everything on my back has been so great. not just practically but mentally as well. the idea that I can put everything I own on my back and go literally anywhere in this beautiful world is so incredibly freeing. I challenge you to really think about the things that bring you joy and to donate or recycle or get rid of anything you don’t use anymore. we have too much stuff in this world. live with less. ~ pictured; mine and mums bags #minimal #minimalistliving #backpack #carryon #rtw #travel #windsorcastle #grainyphoto #iphone #5 #old #iphonex #next #things #material #possessions #england #jaxgoes #holidays #livingthedream #golden (at Windsor Castle, London)

[jaxgoes]

September, 2003 || she groans at her brother to stop being so boring, he gets frustrated and threatens to pinch her. she yells out at her mother and father and asks how much longer she has to sit in this tiny space for. her mother turns around to settle the bickering children. her father sighs and for a second looks over to the right. seeing endless rolling fields, each hill flowing into the next as liquid as the cold, burnt coffee in the front seat. she looks out the window with defeat. looking out onto the landscape with no awareness of the incredible nature in front of her, just passively letting it flow through her consciousness. the car rolls over the next hill and she spots an incredible stone creation. she watches and feels the ancient pure energy rushing through her seven year old body. she knows she will be back. pictured; Stonehenge, October 2017 #stonehenge #england #travel #jaxgoes #tb #14yearslater #history #create #dream #double #take #beautiful #ancient #energy #2017 #2003 #return #family #holidays (at Stonehenge)