The Expotition ̶ A Mindful Journey of Recovery, Creativity and Slow Living
“Going on an Expotition?” said Pooh eagerly.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been on one of those.
Where are we going to on this Expotition?”
“Expedition, silly old Bear. It’s got an ‘x’ in it.”
“Oh!” said Pooh. “I know.” But he didn’t really.”
Winnie the Pooh
Taking a Life Break: Listening to My Body and Mind
I’m on a life break — a kind of forced pause. As a working mother, it’s not easy to stop and think about yourself. For me, health problems made me put everything on hold. Not completely, of course — there’s always something urgent — but enough to spend more time still, to think and breathe in peace.
It turned out to be the perfect time to reflect. I’m turning forty in December — a mother, a founder of two small brands I run from home. I was born and raised in Poland, studied in London, married a Chinese man, gave birth, and moved to Australia. It’s been a full, busy life.
For years I kept running, checking off endless to-do lists, quietly ignoring what my body was trying to tell me. Eventually, it made me stop. Sometimes slowing down isn’t a choice — it’s a message.
The Trip: A Slow Travel Chapter of Healing and Family Connection
On 27 October, I finished my medication and began recovery. A few months earlier, before my illness — a major gut infection — we had already planned a long family trip to Asia and Europe: Macau and Poland. Two and a half months away, filled with many special days and celebrations: birthdays, Christmas and New Years just to name the few most obvious.
Since we live in Sydney we travel less often but are staying longer abroad. This time, with little energy for planning, I focused only on logistics — flights and a few hotels. My main priority now is simple: recover, heal, and rest.
I’m not looking for a perfect itinerary, just space to breathe, connect, and let life unfold.
Learning Mindful Self-Care While Travelling
Since my illness, I’ve been reading more about mindfulness and grounding. I’ve never found it easy to slow down. I used to feel guilty doing nothing. But turning forty with a fragile body and mind has changed my perspective.
This trip feels like a gentle introduction to living more intentionally — a chance to change my rhythm, to prioritise what matters, and let go of what doesn’t. “Less is more” makes sense to me now in a way it never did before.
I’m learning to find small moments of peace in daily routines — a cup of tea, quiet mornings, my child’s laughter. Travelling gives me a new context for slowing down, but the real journey is internal — learning how to be present wherever I am.
Healing the Body, Calming the Mind: A Recovery Journey
After my gut infection, I’ve had to take better care of my body. I eat differently now — simple, well-cooked meals that are easy to digest. No raw or heavy foods. This shift made me rethink how our family eats and how quickly we fall into convenience.
Cooking has always brought me joy, but I used to rush it. Now I’m rediscovering it as a form of care — slow, mindful, nourishing.
The Babcia Diet: Returning to Simple, Honest Food
When I looked into what I should eat to heal, I realised it’s exactly how I grew up eating in Poland. I was raised in a small village surrounded by mountains, where everything was homegrown and homemade. My grandmother — my Babcia — did most of the cooking. Her meals were simple, fresh, and always made with love.
To heal my gut, I’m returning to those roots. Food doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be real. My Babcia’s meals were practical too — big pots of soup or stew that lasted two days, cooked with care but without fuss. She taught me that food is an act of love and simplicity is enough.
Mindful Packing and Family Travel Rituals
I’m slowly thinking about what to pack — balancing climates between warm Macau and freezing Poland. I’ll pack as lightly as I can (though I know a few new things might come home with me).
We’ll mostly stay with family, so washing will be easy. This time, I want our travels to be calm and mindful, not chaotic. We often believe holidays will heal us just because we go somewhere new, but rest doesn’t come from distance — it comes from intention.
For my child, I’m preparing a small art kit: stickers, a sketchbook, crayons. And yes — screens and snacks too. I’ve stopped feeling guilty about that. For myself, I’m bringing herbal tea in a thermos and plan to visit a local bookstore before we go. Small things that help me slow down and feel grounded wherever we are.
Creative Pause: Rediscovering Inspiration Through Rest
I’ve put my home businesses on hold and given myself permission to take a break. Running two small businesses from home means constant multitasking, and it’s easy to forget the creative part of it all.
This trip feels like a creative reset. I want to see new places, rediscover old ones, and get inspired again. The behind-the-scenes work of running a business can consume your energy — now I’m giving it back to creativity.
I’m shifting from “I should do” to “I want to do.” From pressure to play. From fast to slow. Because sometimes, the only way forward is to pause.