Kelsea
“There are no set rules for what it means to be a woman. ”
An absolute firecracker, Kelsea always tells it like it is. She never hesitates to stand up for herself, take a risk, have a dance or move to a new country. She’s a friend who is always a there, a teacher who is always learning and a strong woman who doesn’t let anything or anyone get in her way. Meet Kelsea, This is her story.
Kelsea, exploring the world (her happy place)
P: Please introduce yourself!
K: My name is Kelsea, I’m 29 years old.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
K: To describe oneself is a difficult task but I’ve attempted to compile a list of what I believe makes me, me. I’m friendly, loyal, outgoing and loud. I’m family oriented and independent. Sassy and at times bratty. Energetic and lazy. Nerdy and weird. Strong and emotional. A traveller who seeks out adventure - a risk taker. Someone who is also deeply content at home, curled up with a book. I like to think I find joy in the small things in life yet equally, life has a way of sweeping you up and sometimes it’s all you can do but hold on for the ride. Really, I’m a being full of contradictions. I’m human.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
K: My favourite thing about myself is the way I value the people that are important to me, friends and family alike. I am a firm believer that the people we meet - positive or not, shape us into the people we are. I am eternally grateful to the incredible people that have made an impact and moment by moment, story after story have grown me into a person I’m proud to call me.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
K: The start of my travel journey began with a trip planned to America alongside one of my closest friends. We’d planned it together - well mostly she planned and I gave a resounding yes. A month out, she was not able to make it. I was devastated to say the least. But stubborn courage had me on that plane anyway. Solo, across the world for the first time. Scared shitless. I met an amazing group of people - forming friendships that stand strong 6 years later and had the time of my life. Questionable decisions included. Something I thought was going to ruin my trip was actually what made it so life changing, if I could do this, surely I could do anything.
Since that moment I’ve travelled 25 countries, some with others, some solo as that first trip. I resigned from what I thought was my dream job to pursue the opportunities in front of me. I lived in Canada, then Hong Kong, then Japan and came full circle back to live in New Zealand. That one small moment of courage, led to a hallway of doors, open and irresistible.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
K: Let go of the people in your life that are causing you harm. As much as it hurts, not everyone is ready to be helped. You might not be the person that’s going to help them, and that’s okay. Sometimes the right thing to do is to walk away.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
K: To me, being a woman means being unashamedly you. Be staunch, sensitive, wild, calm, homely, crazy, adventurous, introverted, friendly, rude, powerful and anything else that draws you - separately or all at the same time. There are no set rules for what it means to be a woman. So, if someone is telling you how to be and it doesn’t align with what you believe - tell them to sit down and shut up. This is your time to shine. We’re all learning so lets do it by building each other up not tearing each other down.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
K: Sappy as it seems, the woman that inspires me the most is my amazing Mum - Robyn. She wonders where I get my strength from and doesn’t realise it comes in a direct line from her. She carries in her a quiet strength. That’s no less potent for all that it whispers.The kind of quietness you experience in a forest - It seems quiet until you pay attention and realise it surrounds you. So to her I say thank you. For always being there. For showing me that it’s okay to stumble, to never give up on what’s important. For teaching me the importance of people. For being my Mum.