True Self Profile - Pete

Okay, so it's been a while. I didn't realise two years have almost passed since we shared a True Self profile. Gosh, doesn’t time fly. Bout time to get back into it I’d say.

This month in our True Self series, we are featuring Pete. I only met Pete last month as I joined an Intrepid tour of Georgia and Armenia. He had been away travelling for nearly two months and had covered Singapore, London, Denmark, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Poland, and Azerbaijan.

Pete used the time on his flights from Europe back home to Australia to generously show up, be vulnerable, and answer some deep and challenging questions which you’ll get to enjoy in a moment. He did get upgraded to first class, though, so maybe it was karma…

Pete is in his sixties, originally from Victoria but for many years now has called Pemberton in Western Australia home. He worked offshore for 30 years, all over the world, and is recently enjoying an early retirement after a best friend passed away unexpectedly, which put life into perspective for him. When not travelling overseas, he enjoys life under the tall Karri trees and the slow pace of home in the Margaret River, with short getaways in his campervan. However, it won't be long before he is off on his lap around Australia.

He loves a chat over a beer. No time of day is ever too early.

Pete is easy to talk to, has a great sense of humour, and has many stories to share. I did have to laugh, and sorta relate, when he described that he would not mind dying whilst travelling; After all, ‘Uncle Pete died in Armenia’ makes for a much better story than ‘Uncle Pete died at home’. I mean, he has a point. Too good.

What has been a life defining moment for you?

Moving from Victoria to WA was a huge jump, but it’s honestly been the best decision.

Trading the busy east coast for the open spaces in WA has given me some much needed breathing room. Being out west really helped me clear my head, drop a lot of my old stress, and step out of my comfort zone.

Life is definitely a lot more relaxed now. I still miss Victoria, but I'm feeling really settled and happy.

What does a meaningful life look like to you?

For me it helps to have long term goals to guide my daily decisions, and a sense of structure that makes me feel life matters. 

It is also about knowing that my actions matter and that my life is worth living.

What’s a life non-negotiable for you?

My life non-negotiable is my core values and boundaries. A daily standard that l refuse to compromise on, regardless of external pressures

When are you at your happiest?

My true joy usually comes from deep connections, helping others, and also getting lost in things l like.

Having a sense of fulfillment that hopefully peaks as l grow older. 

Who are you currently learning the most from?

I am currently am learning the most from the creators, mentors, and challenges that dominate my daily attention. Specifically, my greatest growth comes from the digital media l consume during my downtime. Also the colleagues who challenged me at my previous work and personal reflection following any recent mistakes.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt about yourself?

The biggest lesson l have learnt about being myself is that l am not required to twist my identity to fit the expectations of others and my worth is entirely independent of their validation

When did you last make yourself proud?

I try to work hard to overcome challenges and stay disciplined. I focus on learning from my mistakes and making choices that help me grow.

What is getting priority in your life right now?

My true priorities are by the way l choose to spend my energy.

This is achieved when l map out and audit my daily schedule, current goals and looking at how l make more time for myself.

What is your best life tip for others?

The best life tip I can offer is to focus on what you can control and let go of the things you can’t.

With this mindset l find it reduces anxiety, eliminates wasted energy, and immediately empowers me to take action where it actually matters.

What do you hope people remember about you?

Ultimately, I just want to leave things a little better than I found them and make sure the people around me feel capable and valued.

Thank you so much Pete, for your time and energy. You have a generous soul, and I appreciate you bearing with and sharing your thoughts with my audience.

Make sure to check out all the other true self profiles here.

Each month an amazing human being will share with us their personal stories and tips on how to live your best life. If you would like to be featured in the upcoming months then please make contact at laurathexplaura@gmail.com

What were your key takeaways from Pete? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.