From Farm to Faraway: Embracing the Journey of Home and Horizons

Hello friends and Welcome

In her Harvard University commencement speech, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” And so, here we are—stepping boldly into the unknown, pen in hand. Or, perhaps more accurately, fingers on the keyboard, typing out my most heartfelt reflections. This journey is inspired by my travels, my roots, and the deep desire to embrace the life I’ve lived—and continue to live.

Why write?

It’s a question I’ve asked myself - honestly, it’s partly self-indulgent. Writing is my way of preserving the moments that have shaped me. Someday, I want to look back and marvel: Did I really do that? Did I truly see those places, meet those people, and feel those emotions? But it’s not just for me. It’s also a legacy—a story for those who will come after me, those who might never know me personally but might find pieces of themselves in my words.

This isn’t my first attempt at capturing my thoughts and experiences in writing. There have been other iterations, other starts and stops. But this time, I’m determined to see it through.

Why?

Because I also want to inspire others. There are so many people who dream of travel but feel held back—whether by circumstances, fear of the unknown, or simply the comfort of routine. If even one person reads my words and feels a spark of courage to take that first step, then this journey will be worth it.

Through this space, I hope to share the raw and real essence of travel. Not the curated postcard moments, but the textures of life that make each destination unforgettable—the food, the landscapes, the people, the surprises, and even the challenges. Along the way, there’ll be reflections on life, too. Travel and life are inseparable; one constantly informs the other.

Now, a little insight to begin with.

I am not Emily Amelia. Or at least, not literally.

Emily Amelia is a name that holds deep meaning for me. It’s a connection to my roots and a nod to where my story began. I grew up on a broadacre sheep farm in rural northwest Victoria, a place where wide skies and endless fields were my playground. While my heart yearns to wander the world, the farm will always be my true home. It’s still run by my family, and whenever I can, I return to help, to feel the soil under my feet and reconnect with the life that shaped me.

Emily Amelia is part of that legacy. Her initials, EA, are marked on the farm’s livestock, a silent but enduring presence that ties me to my origins. Through this name, I carry a piece of home wherever I go, no matter how far I travel or how many new horizons I explore.

So, here’s to the journey ahead—of travel, of reflection, of stories waiting to be told. May it be a chronicle of courage, curiosity, and connection. Let’s see where this takes us.

You can also read a bit more of my journey here:

Step into the beginning of the journey.