The Inner Traveller: My Journey Within

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been deeply curious — not just about the world around me, but about existence itself. I remember lying in bed at night while my father tucked me in, his voice painting vast cosmic landscapes as he spoke about space, time, and the nature of the universe. I was only four when I learned that some of the stars in the night sky had already died, their light still traveling through space just to reach us. That simple but mind-blowing fact ignited something in me — a wonder I couldn’t quite explain. Even then, I sensed that life was more than what we could see or touch. That was the beginning of my inner journey.

But like so many others, that early spark was slowly buried under the expectations of modern life. School, career paths, societal pressure — the subtle (and not-so-subtle) conditioning to be “successful,” to fit in, to perform. Over time, the questions I used to ask — Why are we here? What is this all for? — were replaced with deadlines, to-do lists, and the constant push to be more, do more, prove more.

By 2011, my body started telling me the truth I was trying to ignore. Stress, burnout, and deep emotional unrest began surfacing, and I realized I was no longer just functioning on autopilot — I was surviving. I sought help through the traditional mental health system in the Netherlands, but what I found wasn’t enough. The tools offered were surface-level, and what I needed was something deeper. I fell back into old patterns more than once, unsure of how to break the cycle.

Still, something in me refused to give up. Years later, while searching online for ways to manage my anxiety and depression, I came across an expert-by-experience offering an online course. That one small step — a course found in a moment of quiet desperation — became a turning point. It didn’t change everything overnight, but it cracked something open. It was the beginning of real change.

In the years that followed, I slowly began to rebuild from the inside out. I started observing life differently. I became more conscious of my thoughts, my choices, and the systems I was participating in. And I noticed that I wasn’t alone — more and more people around me were starting to question things too. They were waking up to the fact that something was missing, that chasing external goals didn’t always lead to fulfillment. We were all seeking something more — something real.

For me, that something has been the inner journey. I’ve come to understand that the most beautiful and transformative destination I’ve ever explored isn’t a physical place — it’s within. By turning inward, I’ve been able to reconnect with myself, to begin healing from old wounds, and to rediscover the joy, peace, and meaning that I once thought were out of reach.

That’s why I chose to focus my photography — and eventually, my life’s work — on this theme: the Inner Journey. Through imagery, words, and shared experience, I want to inspire others to pause, to reflect, and to listen to what’s happening within. I believe we all have the capacity to come home to ourselves — and that when we do, we become more peaceful, more whole, and more empowered to live with purpose.

This vision eventually gave birth to something bigger: the  Inner Traveller — a platform dedicated to those who are ready to explore their inner worlds. It’s a space where we can question, share, and grow. A space for transformation, not perfection.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I’m still on this path myself — still learning, still growing, still healing. But I know now that the journey within is the most important one we can take. It’s not always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s messy and painful. But it’s also sacred, beautiful, and real.

So if you’ve ever felt like there’s more to life than what you’ve been told… if you’ve ever found yourself craving something deeper, more connected, more you — then you’re not alone.

This journey is yours too.

Welcome to the Inner Traveller. The departure point for your inner journey.