Owning My Shift
A 5-Day Road Trip from Melbourne to Darwin
On Monday last week, I opened a new chapter and leant into a big personal shift: It kicked off with a 3,800 km, 5-day road trip from Melbourne to Darwin. In tow this time were two of my favourite companions—my adventurous 78-year-old dad and my spirited 12-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Lola Pearl, who was perilously close to coming into heat (talk about timing! - don't worry, I had the doggy diapers packed and ready!)
My house in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, was meticulously packed up and rented out to a lovely Dutch guy for six months. Maybe I should stay…? But seriously, in the hecticness of decluttering, I nearly executed mass murder on my beloved composting worms. Thankfully, they managed to survive — ok so it’s a watching brief at the moment. Stepping back and seeing my home so tidy, so free of stuff, made me question why we don’t clear our spaces more regularly. Decluttering isn't just therapeutic—it's a full-blown reset button for your mental clarity. Note to self: do this more often.
The trip itself was both a literal and metaphorical shift. Being confined in a car with my ageing dad—hurtling along at speeds anywhere between 80 and 130 km/hr—provided lessons beyond just navigation and pit stops. I quickly learned that embracing a little healthy avoidance was wise. Some conversations just didn’t need to happen at 110 km/hr with Lola panting in the back seat.
Naturally, we had a few close calls along the way. Two emus casually standing on the side of the highway near Coober Pedy nearly became an unintended wildlife encounter. Somehow, Dad managed to miss seeing them completely even though he was driving —perhaps for the best! And let's not forget the very large, incredibly calm kangaroo parked squarely in the middle of a South Australian highway at midday, looking entirely unimpressed by our journey north. Or me shouting at Dad (…again) to watch out!
Roadkill was frequent in northern SA on the Stuart Highway and was a stark reminder of nature's harshness. We camped for three nights under the stars, followed by two nights in blissful, air-conditioned cabins as we moved into the heat of Central Australia and the humidity of the wet season in the Top End.
The camper trailer and I are still getting acquainted. As demonstrated by unknowingly driving two full hours out of Port Augusta with the jockey wheel firmly down (!), we were incredibly fortunate that the only damage was shredded rubber, which was easily remedied by a quick stop at the trailer shop in Darwin on our drive in.
Arriving in Darwin on Friday afternoon, into the humid, enveloping 80% humidity of the tail-end wet season, was another reminder of the shift I've willingly embraced. I spent the weekend unpacking, adjusting, and reflecting on how this mirrors so much of what I teach through my Own Your Shift Playbooks. Change—big, small, messy, and/or hilarious (mostly in hindsight)—is a constant companion in life. How we embrace and adapt to it shapes who we are.
Remember to:
Create Space: Clear physical and mental clutter regularly—it provides clarity and peace of mind.
Healthy Avoidance: It's okay to set boundaries around difficult conversations until you're ready (even if it’s never); timing can make all the difference.
Flexibility: Expect the unexpected and learn to adapt quickly—it's your greatest ally in navigating change.
So, as I stand up to my armpits in my own shift (and sweat), here’s to embracing change, big adventures, small spaces, ageing parents, energetic pups, and yes—even the odd stubborn kangaroo.
Own your shift, friends—life is there for the taking.
Mel (& Lola)
PS - Lola officially went into heat on Sunday kindly waiting until we were ‘home’.
