2 Years of WoW: 10 Lessons Along the Way

In the summer of 2018, I was sitting on a swing during a day trip to Keta when the penny dropped. Out of a bag full of travel stories and thoughts, this day was the one I’d write about to launch the Wonders of Wanders website. A few days before, I had made a big personal decision. In the aftermath, I longed for something familiar; for the freedom of a road trip. I rang my best friend and said, “how about a trip east? You’re driving, by the way 😆.” His answer was swift. 

One Day, Three Ways In Keta
A promising stop for intrepid immersions in nature, adventure and history in Ghana

The Land Between Sea and Lagoon
The coastal town evoked a sense of transcendence and tranquillity. It was the trip that launched WoW.

Months later, at 11am on 3rd January 2019, I took down the “under construction” sign on the Wonders of Wanders website and tweeted, “We are live!” beating heart and all. The seed that had been sitting in my heart for a long time was finally planted in the world. WoW is 2, and in a year of limited travel possibilities, it has galvanised my wonder at everything the world has to offer through people, places and palates. 

As we emerge from a seemingly stationary time, I hold firm the belief that travel is in the people, stories and moments we allow ourselves to experience. That is why I continue to celebrate and highlight it in different ways, whether that be through losing yourself in a good book, curating heartwarming personal stories, sharing encounters from the road through the podcast or providing inspiration for a future trip. In the tapestry of these stories are the connective tissues of our shared humanity – and it is a thing of beauty.

10 Lessons from WoW

Someone recently asked me what I’ve learned from creating WoW, and several things popped into my head. So, on this second anniversary, I’d like to share ten of them with you.

• You define your creative space. This is an evergreen compass in an often noisy world that would sooner you blend in than stand out. 
• Stay teachable. There is always something to learn.
• Choose progress over perfection. Clarity comes in the doing. 
• Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. 
• You cannot speak to all of the people all of the time, but you can create from the intimacy of your experiences. That is your superpower, and a uniqueness nobody can take away from you.
• Celebrate the small wins on the way to the big ones. 
• Take a step of faith even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
• You’re not going to be everybody’s cup of sobolo. Thrive anyway.
• The discomfort zone is where growth happens.
• Creativity is the ultimate adventure. Embrace it.

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Each step takes us to the next. I am truly grateful for everyone who partakes of this space in good spirit. Happy 2nd birthday to WoW!

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