Today’s Quarter Life Epiphany Brought to You By Gemma
Possessing no desire to hold down a permanent static job, Gemma is a professional Free Spirit, a *qualified* Photographer, Vlogger/Blogger and Global Degree Student. A serial Instagrapher and a Snapchat Addict – Gemoirs.
A passionate Animal Lover and an Ocean Enthusiast. A World Traveling, New and Exciting Seeker, who believes that life is all about creating a Healthy Balance between Spontaneous Adventure Activities and Heavenly Spa Escapes.
Whilst attempting to visit every UN Nation, Gemma would love for you to join the journey through Gemoirs Blog, Channel and Social Media or better yet, get Involved and share your travel tips and dreams through the “Submit A Tip” feature at Gemoirs.tv and let her Introduce You To The World!
What advice would you give yourself at 20? And at 25?
I feel like I didn’t spend my early twenties very productively. I returned home from my gap year at 20 and then spent the next 5 years desperate to get back out there and travel but I stayed at home to get my BA(hons) in Photography, seriously who ever asks a photographer if they’re qualified to take a photo?! Looking back, those years could have been far more enjoyable, lucrative and productively spent.
What does a quarter life epiphany mean to you?
I think it’s when you realise that you now know what matters to you and what doesn’t. And that now is the time to make shit happen!
What was your quarter life epiphany?
I guess I always knew that I wanted to travel. I had made plans for more than 10 years, since I was in High School, about the places I wanted to go and how much money I would have to save to go to these places but these were just short periods of time scattered amongst work. Lots and lots of work. That’s what we’re taught to do, right? Then, in January 2015, I came across the Global Degree competition and the idea of completing every country within 5 years really seemed possible and I believe that was all I needed to realise that there was no better way to spend my twenties. Or my life.
Where were you when you had your quarter life epiphany?
I was on Facebook, just scrolling…you know how it is.
What do you think inspired your quarter life epiphany?
I think the motivation and inspiration from the Global Degree community as well as the many different informative and supportive people and groups I connected with as a result of entering the Global Degree competition. I was quickly introduced to a world I never knew existed.
How are you different now than before your quarter life epiphany? Have you taken any drastic measures or made any big changes in your life after your quarter life epiphany?
I started blogging and recording as much of my life as possible. It’s only been a few months since I set out on this journey but I am already feeling much more creative and positive about my ability to really achieve my goal to visit every UN nation.
“A life worth living is a life worth recording”
What advice would you give to others who want to make a major change in their life?
Do it?
What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
My biggest challenges have been financial. I still have a lot of student loans and credit card debt from college (and a constant string of trips that I couldn’t resist whenever I got the travel urge) but it’s just money. My debt would be more acceptable if it was hidden behind a car or a mortgage, right?
What do you wish more people realized?
That all that matters is the here and now. I’m sure my parents would disagree, as well as all of the other people I have disappointed or the employers I have let down at short notice. You just have to follow your heart. Obviously, don’t try to be an asshole or unnecessarily burn bridges, but remember who’s life you’re living. Your life is only this important to you – remember that and value your happiness above all else!
“Life is too serious to be taken seriously”
What advice would you give to someone having a quarter life crisis?
Run away. Seriously, there’s no shame in it – it will be the best fun you ever had. Spontaneity wins every time!
I ALWAYS travel solo, because I think it is…
…restricting to travel with others. The food you eat, the activities you do, the people you meet. Waiting on people and trusting their bad decisions (especially with directions) is such an annoying waste of adventure time. Solo – you get shit done!
I get through long flights by…
…honestly, they usually seem pretty quick for me. My longest flight was between Sydney and San Francisco. It was 16 hours and it flew by. Next month I’ll be beating my record for the longest flight time from Bangkok to Atlanta, totalling around 24 hours but it will be broken up between 3 flights so hopefully a pleasant and painless journey! I guess I’ll just indulge in English movies *hopefully* and catch up on my Instagramming until my Iphone dies…so that will be one hour occupied!
The cause that really gets me riled up is…
…anything to do with animal abuse.
When traveling, I always miss…
…lazy nights watching Catfish or Gogglebox with my family, snuggled on the couch and eating junk food!
I REALLY want to visit…
…Bora Bora, just because we always talked about it.
Best travel tip?
Don’t plan.
Best packing tip?
Keep it light.
Current city versus home city? What’s different between the two?
Bangkok, Thailand vs Leeds, England. I guess I feel more alert and engaged here [in Thailand]. The pavements are broken, the scooters are approaching you from every direction and the stray dogs are chasing you. You have to be awake, or you will die! …probably.
Favorite place to live?
British Columbia.
Favourite place to visit?
New Zealand or Iceland.
About Gemma
Originally from the UK, I am now a 26 year old photography graduate currently living in Thailand, working as an English teacher and I plan to continue travelling the globe for the rest of forever…I am attempting to visit every country and I’m inviting YOU to share the journey through my blog posts, channel episodes and even join me at some point, somewhere out there!
Blog: http://gemoirs.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemoirs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gemoirs
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gemoirs/
A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!
