A year ago today I left the country with a waterproof backpack, my camera gear, and optimism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCSpPDxMUYI
I left not knowing what amazing memories I would make, unbelievably beautiful nature and wildlife I would discover, what connections I would make, or what doors it would open for me.
Over the past 365 days, I have learned so much about myself, about our beautiful planet and all the living creatures that inhabit it - and I want to share that with others.
Not only do I want to share what I've learned (and continue as I learn more), but I want to share the idea that you should do what lights your fire.
Here are just a few of the things that I had the chance to experience this year:Raise money for a wildlife rescue center to build a new gate, benches for visitors, and purchase a security camera and locks for all of their enclosures for the rehabilitating animals and those that can’t be released.
Photograph both rescued and wild species - and some that are endangered!
Travel to a remote island to swim with bioluminescent plankton at night.
Relax in a natural hot spring (and not the kind where you pay to visit).
Hike in the beauty of Osa (basically nature’s birth canal) and see all 4 different species of monkeys in a single day and numerous other creatures.
Travel horseback through the mountains to a waterfall to photograph as people repelled from it.
Ride in a (sketchy) boat in the lake at the base of a volcano.
Learned how to surf and got to see stingrays for the first time while doing it.
Visit numerous waterfalls
Experience the Costa Rican lifestyle
Improve my Spanish
Began working at Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Began working for The Sloth Institute
Riding horseback to the waterfall.
Drone shot at the island to see the bioluminescence.
Standing at the base of a volcano watching the sunset.
While it's easy to get caught up in the negativity and hustle of life, most of us have something that we feel like we were just meant to do. No matter what it is or what situations life has thrown your way, know that you should always make the choices to go for it. For me, that thing was working in marketing for wildlife conservation. It’s the one way that I have found that I can not only help make our world a better place, but utilize my skills as a photographer, writer, and artist.
Now, I know that I'm certainly not the only one to have chosen to travel for education or an internship, but I know there aren't many people who would quit their steady, yet dreadful 9-5 job to go after the things that truly make them happy. Most people just tell themselves they will do it "someday" until that someday is already gone. Or that "it isn't reasonable" or that you "just weren't dealt those cards". All of that is entirely false and only YOU have the choice to live the life you want.
I’m writing this because I want to share with people that no matter what situations life throws your way, you can still do what lights your fire.
Through my experience in Costa Rica, I was able to find not one, but two opportunities in the wildlife conservation field that I now dedicate my time to. I was able to take my hobby and turn it into my career and couldn’t be happier about the journey.
A lot can happen in a year. And it’s never too late to begin your journey.
