dirtbag diary

I’m Mia! Outdoor Enthusiast. Skier. Bike-packer. Hiker. Writer? Dirtbag. 

Welcome to my Dirtbag Diary; an insight into the funky mind, lifestyle, and epic adventures of a dirtbag. 

Growing up in the beautiful land of Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve always felt at peace in the outdoors, had a seemingly endless desire to climb mountains, and had an itch to explore the big wide world from a very young age.

Over the past few years, my partner and I have embarked on our journey, exploring the world through seasonal work and travel. Tour Guide. Barista. Server. Landscaper. Housekeeper. You name it. These seasonal jobs have allowed us to immerse ourselves into the country we’re living in, and fostering deeper connections the local culture and community.

When we save up enough money, we hit the road or trail for an epic dirtbag adventure. As time has passed, we’ve learnt the importance of slow travel, opting for adventures by foot or bike. We travel frugally, without many plans or suitcases, often not completely sure where we’ll end up; however life has an incredible habit of slotting into place when we travel this way, so we’ve learnt to trust the process.  

Being a dirtbag means embracing a simpler way of living. By forsaking some of the creature comforts of society, I learn more about myself, what truly matters and what doesn’t. I learn to get by with the bare minimum. Soon the bare minimum becomes less and less. I’m continuously reminded to appreciate what I have, be resourceful, be present, be grateful for every meal, every piece of equipment keeping me on my journey, every opportunity and experience that comes my way. 

I love hiking (or tramping as we say in NZ) and bike-packing for this very reason. Everyday existence becomes so straightforward, funnelled through the simple act of spinning pedals or stepping one foot in front of the other in this raw, challenging, yet simple state of being. 

For a while now, I’ve been craving a place to provide more valuable insights to many of the trips I’ve embarked on. I find blogs have been one of my most useful resources when it comes to planning a next adventure, however many are tailored to travellers with deep pockets and a lust for luxuries. I’m excited to give back to the space that I’ve relied on so heavily for my trip planning, with my own stories and reflections from my dirtbag lens. 

I hope this blog might be of use to others by providing guidance, tips, or perhaps a bit of inspirations for your next dirtbag adventure. 

Mia : )