Unhinged

Do you ever feel like you're not doing enough? Not being enough; like you're living somewhere below the life you know you're capable of?

That's me. Often, actually. And probably most of us. I was talking to a friend about this - maybe it's just part of being human, or maybe it's the male urge to get shit done?

I don't know why, because on paper? I'm up to bloody all sorts.

Right now I'm sitting in my van, genuinely excited to write for the first time in awhile. My fingers are tapping away, interrupted every few seconds by the backspace key, because I'm a keen typer but not exactly a good one. (That's an ADHD tangent that's contributing nothing to my actual point, by the way. Speaking of which, I don't think I've made one yet.)

Well here it is. Each of my last few years has been defined by a word or a phrase. Last year, I really resonated with "Collecting Stories for the Grandkids" which you can read about here. This year I've really been feeling the word "Unhinged," which follows the same vein. The only stories I want for the grandkids are the unhinged ones so let's jump in.

And these words are entirely my own. With the rise in AI writing and AI generated everything, a photo or a caption should be real and raw. There was a cost involved to get here, and I think that matters. I want to know the brother/sister had to sweat and maybe even bleed for that shot.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands with Brunotti

So. After sitting there thinking I hadn't done too much, I actually started listing things out. So far this year, and we're only in March, I've been up north for a small roadie, did the Ha Giang loop in Vietnam with my mate James Wynwood, shot some cool events including the Mount Half, Tarawera Ultra, and even the Crankworx downhill MTB finals in Rotorua (not work-just for fun and very humbling, ha). Annnnd I spent a week in the Cook Islands shooting an incredibly talented kite surfer named Ellie Dimitrova as part of a global campaign for Brunotti. Sprinkled throughout all that, there's been beautiful moments spent with friends, coffees, hikes and of course, I'm still living in the van (which you can read about here, although it's been about 16-17 months now). Oh and in a few days time, I leave for Nepal to climb mountains (as a non-mountaineer I might add and this will probably deserve multiple entries).

Fuck. Maybe I am living the life I dreamed of.

So why do we always feel like we're not doing enough? What's the yardstick? Are we comparing ourselves to others? I think I compare myself to what I think my potential is. That feeling where you know you're not doing all the things you could be doing to make shit happen. Alex Hormozi says, “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” What work are we all avoiding? Shut up Shal, it’s too early to be motivational, just get to the point already.

Fuck. Maybe I am living the life I dreamed of.

The purpose of this blog was two things: a life update for 2026 so far, and to go deeper into my word of the year — "Unhinged." Where did it come from and why am I resonating with it so much?

Since climbing Aspiring back in January 2025, Dom and I have been planning our Nepal expedition, which means many phone calls. Dom would often drop the word "unhinged" and it's somewhat become a mantra for us. To be fair, it was probably already his life motto and I've just stolen it as my own. What did Picasso say? "Good artists copy, great artists steal." Sorry Dom.

Somewhere in the mountains of North Vietnam

As I've gotten older I've learned so much about myself and what truly makes me light up. There's an old saying that goes "every man has two lives. The second begins when he realises he only has one." I think that's what all of this is about. Realising what gives my life spark, and realising that death will take us all, so I want to live an unhinged experience.

---

Unhinged to me means doing the thing that scares you. Doing the thing that was never really on the cards, or that you feel completely unqualified for. Doing your best to avoid comfortability. Booking the ticket and figuring it out as you go.

Being a little crazy. Exploring emotions we often try to avoid, like embarrassment or rejection. Chasing the hard path knowing it's going to suck, but knowing you'll come out the other side different. Walking closer to the edge instead of hiding from it.

I could probably keep going, but I think you get the idea.

Hmm I think that’s enough writing for today. Does the above make sense? Not sure. Does it matter? Nope. Should I get back to my other work? Probably.

Happy 2026 friends x