Something I try to take notice of — and truly relish — is when you can see that what you’re doing is having a positive impact on others. It’s important to acknowledge and talk about because from the outside, it might look like we have it all together. Like life is easy.
But the truth is, not all days are good days.
Sometimes it’s really hard, and I do question whether we made the right decision.
Then I remind myself: a bad day out climbing is still better than a good day in the office.
When those moments hit, I stop and remember why we chose this life. And one big reason is that by simply doing it, by being out here, we might be having a positive impact on others.
~ Camping ~
This goes back to before we even took Kaia overseas — when she was just a couple of weeks old, and we went camping. A few conversations about that time have stuck with me.
The first was a friend with a baby on the way.
She was about to cancel a 2-day camping trip she had planned for when bub would be 4 weeks old. She reached out after seeing we’d taken Kaia camping as a newborn. She wanted to go but wasn’t sure if it was realistic.
I told her: Kaia had been camping since she was just weeks old, and it was totally fine — actually easier when they’re small. I encouraged her: if you want to be outdoors with your kids as they grow, starting young is a great way to ease in.
We talked logistics — what I was scared of, what she was nervous about — and by the end of the convo, she was genuinely excited for her first little family trip. I was stoked.
Becoming a first-time mum is huge. It’s scary and stressful. It’s so easy to stay home and shut yourself off. I remember being too scared to even leave the house — if it wasn’t for Jacob nudging me out the door, I might not have.
But the more you do something, the easier it gets. Sunshine and fresh air work wonders. Knowing that this mum and bub would be out there together made me feel incredible.
^ Our most recent camping trip with Kaia for 10 days in the South West of WA (Australia) with our bargain marketplace tent find! 10 days of no creature comforts, no power/water/whatever else. 10 days of climbing, exploring, food, laughs, bucket baths and pure good quality family time.
The second was a new mum from my mother’s group.
They’d always camped before baby, but hadn’t found the chance since. She messaged me on Instagram asking how we’d taken a baby camping so many times.
I asked her what she was most worried about and her answer was: “Everything?”
I rattled off my own early worries — long car rides, sleep, feeding, hospitals — and she was so grateful. A few weeks later, her camping photos popped up online. That beautiful little family out there doing it, and they looked so happy. I could have cried.
~ Climbing ~
The last five months have mostly revolved around climbing. And Kaia? She comes along for the ride.
Some days go to plan, others don’t. But the response from the community is always “wow.” People are amazed we’re out there, and even more amazed when we keep showing up.
Kaia is usually the only baby at the crag. Occasionally we see older kids, but babies? Never.
One day, I met a mum with a tiny baby.
Of course, I walked straight up to say hi — your baby’s beautiful, congratulations, etc. Then she said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“My partner said he sees you here all the time with your baby, so I thought I’d bring mine too. I don’t climb, but I came anyway.”
I was stunned. Her baby was soaking in the jungle, mesmerised by the trees. Her partner was climbing nearby, constantly smiling at them. The joy on his face? Unforgettable.
~ Life ~
This one’s personal — it’s about my grandparents.
When we first shared our one-way travel plans, they didn’t approve. They were anxious. Nanna was riddled with fear about us taking the baby overseas.
Then — not long after we left — they set off on a dream caravan trip around Australia. A trip they’d always talked about, but never done.
We couldn’t believe it.
We stayed in touch nearly every day, swapping photos and stories from opposite sides of the world. They timed their return to Perth to line up with our visit home for Christmas, and when we reunited, I hugged them tight and said, “How was it?!”
They were beaming. Proud. Grateful.
We don’t know for sure, but we like to think that maybe — just maybe — us doing our trip gave them the nudge they needed to go for theirs.
These are the moments that remind me why this life matters. Not just for us, but for the people who are quietly watching.
For the ones who just need to see it’s possible.
Adventure. Exploration. Family. How lucky are we to share that?
Til next time,
R
