Why I’m Here.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to get here but voilà, here I am! It’s my first time doing something like this, so it feels a little strange. I guess I’m just used to being my only audience. I’ve been writing for years, but those journals have always been for my eyes and my eyes only. I have stacks of them; the pages are full of memories, experiences, photos and feelings. It’s a vulnerable thing to do, to bring them online and open them up to the world.

On top of that, and with full transparency, I think I preferred the intimacy of keeping those moments to myself. I didn’t want to turn my journey into a showcase for others. I didn't want to end up doing things for the ‘blog’ before doing them for myself. Traveling solo can be a profound and transformative experience; I needed those memories to belong to me first, before I shared them with you. 

I’ve had the opportunity to grow roots in far away places and it’s changed me forever. There’s just something about showing up to a completely different and foreign place. You know little to nothing, but you take the time to learn and understand. Slowly, it becomes less and less ‘foreign’ and before you know it,  it’s sprouted into a home. It’s a feeling like no other. With each new country and each new friend, you are more and more interconnected with the world.

You grow deeply rooted in what’s around you. 

This isn’t a feeling you can buy or gain out of a 5-star hotel or a stay at an all- inclusive resort. The authentic experiences, the adventures that I’m talking about require a little bit of getting down and dirty.

In March 2020, my life abroad was interrupted and like so many others, I was made to press pause. While at home, I desperately longed to be back traveling, back where I feel fulfilled and like the truest version of myself. I already felt pretty lucky and most days, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the life I was living. Now that I’ve been removed from my freedoms and my many homes away from home, I’ve realized even further, just how important travel is to me.

An authentic and profound experience will leave its mark on you, and this is exactly what I want to share.

Without an interface such as this, there are stories and experiences that otherwise may never come up in conversation; photos and moments that may never have the opportunity to be seen. Inspiration left unshared surely would be a waste. I'‘m here to share almost everything, for my mother’s sake of course. Some stories are better kept from Pam. 

In finding the inspiration to create Deep Rooted, I also discovered a desire to guide others in their own travels. I’m extending my hand, learn from me please! From my experiences and most of all, my mistakes. I plan to share ALL of the information- places to see, what not to do and insights I’ve gained from jumping into it all. Take it or leave it, I’m offering up some Madeline tried and tested measures.  If I can encourage just one person to seek out that which is different from what they already know, then I have succeeded.

So, I’m ready. Are you? I’m hoping I can find a few of you to come along with me. Let’s get into it - the deep stuff, the funny, the ugly and most of all, the BANGIN BEAUTY of the world.  I have seen and felt the good that the world has to offer, so let’s spread a little around.

If you’re still reading this, welcome to Deep Rooted and thanks for caring enough to hear about my why.

Deep Rooted will bounce around a little on the timeline- I’ll bring in stories and content from the last six years of living abroad, I’ll write in the present and as I continue this dance around the world, I’ll take you with me. 

• Madeline