Nora had spent many years exploring the world, travelling extensively and immersing herself in different cultures. After becoming a mother, she returned to her home country, Norway, and found herself facing unexpected feelings of post-travel blues and reverse culture shock. Despite her love of travel, the routines and responsibilities of everyday life left her nostalgic, restless, and uncertain how to integrate her past adventures into her present reality.
While scrolling through Instagram, Nora discovered my account Coletteonwalkabout and realised that I offered Life Story Conversations. She was drawn to the idea of a reflective, non-judgmental space where she could revisit her travel experiences and explore what they meant to her now.
How the sessions supported Nora
During our conversations, we focused on her travel story, paying attention to meaningful events, challenging experiences, and the emotions connected to them. Sessions included:
- reflecting on past travel experiences: Together we explored both the joyful and difficult moments of her adventures, helping Nora gain perspective on how these experiences had shaped her sense of self
- narrative and creative activities: Through storytelling, journaling, and guided exercises, Nora was able to articulate her memories, reconnect with feelings of freedom and curiosity, and identify patterns of resilience and joy
- self-compassion and perspective: Using reflective dialogue and resource-oriented questions, Nora learned to honour both her love for travel and her present role as a mother, recognising ways to nurture her sense of identity alongside new responsibilities
Over the course of the sessions, Nora noticed subtle but meaningful shifts:
- she felt more at peace with returning to life in Norway, integrating her travel experiences into her current reality
- she discovered practical ways to nurture her curiosity, creativity, and sense of adventure at home
- she gained clarity on what travel meant to her personally and how to keep it alive in her everyday life
- she developed self-awareness and self-compassion for the emotions that had previously felt overwhelming
Nora reflected: “These conversations allowed me to revisit my travels with fresh eyes. I could honour the experiences I had, feel gratitude for them, and also accept where I am now. It was insightful, inspiring, uplifting, and fun.”
Ready to explore yourself?
If you have cherished experiences, memories from travel, or periods of your life you wish to reflect on, Life Story Conversations can provide a compassionate space to explore them. Even a few sessions can help you reconnect with yourself, gain clarity, and honour your story in ways that feel meaningful and enriching.