When I was 20 years old and a bit frustrated with life, I decided to go on an adventure around the world. My first stop was Delhi, in the incredible country of India. I left the cold late autumn of England and arrived in the heat of the day, my pale skin exposed to the 35-degree sun and my jet-lagged head spinning in the hustle and bustle of this busy city. It was one of the most incredibly jolting and eye-opening moments of my short life and I was overawed and exhilerated.

What made the experience even more impactful was the incredibly large and heavy bag I was carrying on my back, and the incredibly large and heavy bag I was carrying on my front. What was special about the one on the front was that it was packed by my mum... containing tins and packages of all kinds of food, as well as my winter clothes for when I was in New Zealand 8 months later.

I was hot and tired, and just so grateful to finally put the bags down and sit in the aircon of my hotel. I made a decision there and then that I needed to lighten the load. It was such a liberating moment. The next day I donated the bag of supplies to the staff, who were delighted, and later that day invited me into the kitchen where I had the honour of watching around twenty wide-eyed and excited staff members opening the tins and packages of food and tasting, laughing, pulling faces and just having so much fun trying new tastes and textures!

For me, the trip was a taste of freedom, the opportunity to explore who I was and what mattered to me. In various ways I've been recreating it, learning deeper lessons, putting down the baggage that's not working for me, even if it's been given me out of another's kindness, and seeing what remains.