🔭 Wonderer’s Log #019: Expedition for Stories - Arc Authentic Storyteller - The Odyssey of the Wild Truth
This is where my mind, heart, and action converge - footprints on a shared journey.
So that together we can explore and share how to live with courage, clarity, and presence in a complex and uncertain world.
✨ Summary
This expedition has been a journey of self-discovery and growth, as I navigated the challenges of balancing work, relationships, and personal well-being. I've learned the importance of prioritising self-care and rest, and creating space for joy and play in my life. I've also discovered the value of surrendering control and trusting in the natural flow of life, rather than trying to force my will on every situation. As I move forward, I'm committed to continuing this journey of self-discovery and growth, and to creating a life that is authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling.
📚 Read / Listened To
🎧 The Tim Ferriss Show (Website or Spotify)
🧠📖 Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara (Amazon) - Started Reading.
🎧📖 Murder on the Orient Express (Spotify)
🧭 Reflections
🗂️ From the Project Manager's Desk
“Hi team, the workload has definitely been piling up, and with everything moving so quickly, it can be hard to keep up. First, I want to say thank you. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication you've brought to everything—despite the heavier demands, the pressure, and all the extra things to track.
You are an inspiration to those around you. The team feels your support in every way—you’re constantly looking for ways to make things better for everyone. Whether it’s honouring someone’s feelings, reflecting thoughtfully, appreciating a great idea, or leading with integrity, grace, and intelligence—your presence makes a difference.
It’s no surprise that you’re able to create stunning visuals, write compelling content, code, manage projects, manage products, communicate clearly, and generously share growth and credit. To manage someone like you is a dream. I know you’ve been having a hard time—and even so, I’m deeply grateful for everything you continue to do, as is the whole team.
I want you to be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Without your work, this mission wouldn’t move forward—and we wouldn’t be able to make the difference we’re trying to make in the world. You bring light, curiosity, and understanding to everything you touch. From the bottom of all our hearts—thank you. We will continue to do everything we can to support you.”
💬 Advice from My Best Friend
“
Hey mate, I know it’s been a tough week—and that time often feels like your enemy. You know I’m here if you need care—that’s what best friends are for. I always hesitate to offer advice in this space because what I truly want to give is care—not disagreement with your decisions or path. But if you insist on hearing it, here’s what I can offer:
You’re a strategist. If life were a board game and you needed to plan your next move, how would you approach it?
You’d take stock: What resources and abilities do you have? What combinations exist within those? You’d glance—briefly—at what your “opponents” might hold. Then, you'd survey the board: What actions are available? Which are within your means? You’d calculate the action economy—what gets you the most progress in the fewest turns toward your win condition?
Are others competing in this space? If so, is there enough for both of you, or do you need to pivot? If pivoting isn’t an option, can you get there first? If not, what will their next move be—and can you intercept it to control the pace?
You’d read the table: What’s the sentiment? What’s your reputation? How threatening is your current position?
Even when your board is decimated—when you feel like there’s no way to win—I see something shift in you. That fire. That moment of quiet, stroppy focus where you say: “Alright. I’ll win from here.” Not to spite your opponent, not to chase revenge—but to carve out a path only you could find. A route through the chaos, forged by instinct and brilliance, using the discard pile as fuel.
So—how does that help now? What’s the advice?
Honestly, much of that process is already in you. It’s intuitive. You’ve trained for this. You’ve survived enough to see the patterns most miss. But if I had to condense it:
What’s the win condition here? How do you move toward it—without becoming the person everyone dreads at the table?
Find that path. Let the fire burn. Yes, you’ll grumble. You’ll get frustrated. That’s part of the process. But those of us who’ve played alongside you know what that means. We look around the table and say, “Oh no. He’s annoyed. He’s going to win.” It’s our in-joke. It’s how we recognise you at your most powerful. I’m here for it. Always. And just imagine—if you had a crew at your back. If we were your heist team. What would you pull off then?
Love you. Take care of yourself. ”
🧓 Elder You Has Some Thoughts
⚠️ Worst Timeline Warning: “Young one, don't forget to take care of yourself in the midst of chaos. Remember to breathe, and to prioritise your own needs and well-being.” 🌟 Best Timeline Encouragement: “My dear child, you are capable and strong. Trust in yourself and your abilities, and don't be afraid to take risks and try new things.”
🧠 Narrative Affirmations
I am enough, exactly as I am.
I trust in my own abilities and inner wisdom.
I am capable of creating a life that is authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling.
I prioritise my own needs and well-being, and I make time for self-care and rest.
I am open to new experiences and learning opportunities, and I am not afraid to take risks and try new things.
🌱 Expedition’s Wisdoms
Care Deliberately, Not Desperately - Nurture your work with intention and cultural space, instead of rushing toward measurable outcomes or constant productivity. Return to What You’ve Already Built - In moments of doubt, anchor yourself in past achievements and hard-won experiences. You’ve done this before—and proof of capability is often closer than it feels. Embody Curiosity in Action - By embracing a mindset of curiosity, we can turn every experience into an opportunity for growth and learning, and cultivate a sense of wonder and awe in our daily lives. Surrender Control to Create Space - By surrendering our need for control, we can create space for new experiences, relationships, and opportunities to emerge, and trust in the natural flow of life.
🔍 Pattern Noticed: I've noticed a pattern of self-doubt and fear that can hold me back from taking action and pursuing my goals. I've also noticed a pattern of people-pleasing and trying to control outcomes, rather than trusting in the natural flow of life.
💡 Questions I’m Sitting With:
Where did I choose presence over perfection today?
Did I act or speak from my core, or from a sense of obligation?
What did I return to that reminded me I’ve done meaningful work before?
Where did I surrender control, and what became possible because of it?
What made me feel quietly joyful or innocently delighted today?
🌗 Effort & Practice Reflections
🧍♂️ Personal & Pursuits & Presence
I allowed myself to say no to a regular post and instead wrote out my newsletter.
I created the base bones for a review style email to highlight old content.
I got a brief sorted for the next masterclass and got most of the summit material organised
🟢 What I Navigated Well - I navigated the challenges of balancing work, relationships, and personal well-being, and I prioritised my own needs and well-being.
🟡 Where I Lost the Map (But Found Myself) - I lost my way when I tried to control outcomes and force my will on every situation, rather than trusting in the natural flow of life.
🔴 The Crash Site Report (With Kind Debrief) - I experienced a setback when I felt overwhelmed and burnt out, but I was able to take a step back and prioritise my own needs and well-being.
🏕️ Expedition’s Momentum
💛 Celebrated Effort | 🔵 Wholehearted Effort | 🟢 Gentle Effort | 💚 Deliberate Pause | 🔴 No Spark
| Effort | Category | Complete |
|---|
Not Aligned:
Seeking Understanding – I didn't take the time to fully understand the needs and perspectives of others, and instead focused on my own goals and priorities.
Playing and Experimenting – I didn't make time for play and experimentation in my life, and instead got caught up in routine and responsibility.
Respecting and Empathising – I didn't always prioritise respect and empathy in my interactions with others, and instead let my own emotions and needs take over.
Aligned
Offering Love – I made an effort to share my love and kindness with others, and prioritise their needs and well-being.
Immerse Yourself – I immersed myself in the world and sought to understand its mechanisms and connections, and took action to learn and grow.
Always Explore and Learn – I approached challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, and sought to learn from my mistakes and failures.
⏩ Next Expedition’s Intentions
Send out my email about no post
Set up some more Wonderer's Log and try and create a small bank
Provide some slack for performance rehearsals
📡 Resonant Truths
"Innocence should be protected, nourished, and enjoyed together at all costs - regardless of how silly you might look." - Wondering Chris
"When in doubt, return to loving kindness and the truth that you are enough and always have been and that your fear and anxiousness make sense." - Wondering Chris
"When in doubt, return to a reminder that regardless of how frantic the world is you are allowed to relinquish care temporarily to provide calm." - Wondering Chris
"The most curious world is the one in which we try to make better our own thoughts and actions with every iteration." - Wondering Chris
Let’s hold this next breath lightly. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s ours.
Until next time,
Chris, the Wonderer
Next Thought Voyager:
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🌌 More Wonderings Beyond This Path – Curiosity Leads, Wonder Follows:
In the Same Vein – Keep Wondering
A New Trail to Wonder
