02/03/2021                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            It was 1st December 2018.
I was outside Manchester Airport, sick with nerves. I was throwing up a lot of liquid, I'd not been able to stomach food that morning or the evening before. Anxiety.
I didn't have a job, I was borderline depressed, but more than anything else, I was scared.
I had a one way ticket to India. To try and find a perspective. To see life through a lense not offered by the culture I was raised in.
By fluke of chance, there was one spare seat in first class at the front of the jet. The airline upgraded me at no cost. So I got drunk on free mojitos whilst being judged by all the (what I considered at the time) posh folk. 
The rest of the journey to my spot in Goa is a bit blurry. I do remember however, the taxi driver being about 17 years old and driving like Lewis Hamilton. Overtaking on blind bends and last minute swerves to avoid packs of dogs and cows wandering in the roads. 
I woke up in a small, simple beach hut, confused about where I was. The contrast between the beauty of my external surroundings and my low emotional state was stark. 
Waking up that morning, alone, hungover, jet-lagged and underfed was surreal. It was 32 Celsius, clear skies and blue seas. Dolphins broke the surface of the water 100yards out.
I felt terrible, completely lost...
(TBC in another post!) 
On a separate note, I've received lots(50+) of messages from questionable businesses over the last couple of years. Wanting collaboration, for me to promote some trinket/cheap dropshipped product from a sweatshop in China. I always ignore them. 
I was recently looking for some clothing.
I came across a website. The company makes luxury clothing, chillwear, fitnesswear etc. I went to buy something, the website asked me who I would like to feed. 5 people in Ethiopia, 8 people in the U.K...there were many options. Between 4 and 8 meals are provided for unfortunate people struggling in poverty around the globe with every sale. I liked their ethos. I messaged the company, I wanted to promote them.(they did not approach me). They accepted. Now and then you'll see me tag them. If you like them, buy something, if not, don't, just letting you know the score. πβ€βοΈ