Some people seem to have an uncanny ability to turn life’s detours into new destinations.
My recent conversation with author, speaker, entrepreneur and traveller Emma Lovell reminded me that perhaps the secret isn’t luck at all. Perhaps it’s simply a willingness to keep choosing adventure, even when life throws up obstacles.
Emma first entered my world through her book The Art of Bleisure, where she explores blending business, travel and life into something richer and more meaningful. As I read it, I recognised a kindred spirit — someone who refuses to wait for “someday” before living fully.
When Life Forces You to Slow Down
In 2009, Emma broke her back while snowboarding.
For many people, such an injury might have marked the end of adventurous pursuits. Instead, nine months later, she was back on the slopes.
The injury taught her an important lesson that many of us learn repeatedly throughout life.
“If you don’t stop, your body will stop you.”
The forced pause gave her time to reassess what mattered and reinforced the importance of caring for herself while continuing to pursue the things she loves.
Children Don’t Have To End Your Adventures
One topic that fascinated me was how Emma continues to travel extensively while raising her young son.
Many people assume that having children means putting dreams and adventures on hold. Emma sees things differently.
Her answer is refreshingly simple:
“I choose to.”
It’s not that travelling with children is always easy. As any parent or grandparent knows, some days at home can be just as challenging as being on the road.
Emma believes that freedom and choice sit at the heart of a fulfilling life. Rather than focusing on reasons something can’t be done, she asks a different question:
Why not?
That mindset has allowed her family to continue exploring the world together and creating memories that her son already treasures.
The Power of Making Another Plan
One of Emma’s stories particularly resonated with me.
She had planned a retreat in Nepal when political unrest made it unsafe to proceed. Many people would have cancelled the event entirely.
Instead, she moved the whole retreat to India.
That sounds enormous when you say it out loud — moving an international retreat to another country — but Emma approached it the same way many of us approach life’s larger challenges.
You make another plan.
As someone who has experienced widowhood at a young age plus many unexpected life changes, I understand this deeply. Life rarely unfolds exactly as we expect. The important thing isn’t avoiding disruption; it’s learning how to adapt when it arrives.
A Life of Magic
We also discussed Emma’s newest book, A Life of Magic, the story of her remarkable cousin Bill, a 103-year-old World War II veteran and magician.
The book was born from Emma’s desire to honour someone while he could still appreciate the recognition.
Too often we wait until people have passed away before telling stories about how much they meant to us.
Emma recognised that Bill deserved to hear those stories now.
It’s a beautiful reminder to celebrate people while they’re still here to enjoy it.
Why Memories Matter
The conversation took an unexpected but delightful turn into photography, memory books and preserving family stories.
Emma’s young son already enjoys looking through photo books from their travels, treating them like storybooks.
I shared my own passion for creating photo books for family members, documenting adventures, milestones and everyday moments that might otherwise fade with time.
Together we reflected on how photographs don’t just preserve images — they preserve memories.
They allow us to travel through time.
Even when circumstances prevent us from travelling physically, we can revisit adventures through photos, stories and shared memories.
Stop Waiting For Someday
Perhaps the most powerful message from our conversation came right at the end.
Emma believes too many people spend their lives waiting for “one day” or “someday.”
The perfect time.
The perfect circumstances.
More money.
More certainty.
But there will always be another reason to delay.
Instead, Emma encourages people to talk their dreams into existence and then start taking action.
In fact, she shared a personal announcement during our conversation. Her family is planning to spend four months living in India later this year.
Not every detail is organised.
Not all the money is sitting in the bank.
Not every question has been answered.
But the date has been set.
And that’s often where dreams begin.
As Emma put it:
“Stop waiting for one day or someday and live a life that you love now.”
A sentiment that aligns perfectly with my own philosophy:
One life. Live it well.
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