Rae (Michelle Rae)

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

I’m interested in learning and doing anything outdoors related to gardening, regenerative agriculture, homesteading, and animal care. I also enjoy travelling, hiking, camping, trying new things.

Description

For many years I have dreamed about getting out of the city and building a homestead with a focus on permaculture and other sustainable, regenerative agriculture methods. However, having been a city girl my whole life, I feel like there is so much I need to learn before I attempt to jump into starting my own homestead. Besides, I experienced a huge life change last year and I'm still not sure where I want to settle next so that's a big part of why I'm travelling.

These days, there are very few things I'm certain about in life, but what I do know is that being in nature, getting my hands in the dirt, and spending time with animals always seem to be healing and help me feel more grounded and at peace. There are definitely times that I feel like I wasted so many years trying to live a life that was never mine to live and wish I had done so many things differently. But, we can only know these things with hindsight and it doesn't do any good to dwell in these regrets. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm trying something different now and that I still have time to try new things, rediscover who I truly am, and live a more authentic and meaningful life.

Travel has been a means of escape in the past, but it has also been one of the most important teachers I've ever had. Through travel I've had some amazing experiences and have met truly inspiring and beautiful souls who have taught me so much and changed me for the better. I also love learning about other countries and cultures through meeting and staying with local residents so the idea of volunteering while travelling really is the perfect pairing for me.

Overall, I’m excited for new experiences that will help me learn and discover new things about myself on this current journey of personal growth. I got stuck in a rut for a very long time with my focus always being on serving others and making other people happy but I never allowed myself to make a decision that was just for me. Joining Workaway feels like a great next step towards following my own dreams.

Interests

Events & social

Culture

Movies & TV

Charity work

Self development

Van life

Pets

Plant care

Music

Photography

Languages

Gardening

Cooking & food

Animals

Fitness

Nature

Camping

Mountain

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Cycling

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I am currently learning Spanish and always appreciate native speakers who are willing to slow down a little to practice and help me learn more. I was certified in TEFL but sadly never got a chance to use it. I would still be very willing to teach English to anyone interested in learning or practicing.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Languages

Eco Projects

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

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Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Gardening

Animal Care

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

House and pet sitting

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Able to teach about:  

Being an elderly companion

More details about your skills

I’ve only just recently started exploring the world of farmstays and homesteading through 4 months of WWOOFing in Chile earlier this year and I absolutely loved being outside everyday and getting my hands in the dirt! This small taste of farm and country life has made me want to learn so much more!

Ah, I guess in my early 20’s I did spend a summer planting trees in British Columbia (Canada) and camped out in very remote locations.

And weeding! When I did have a house, my gardening experience was mostly focused around weeding. Sometimes I planted flowers or herbs but there was never any shortage of weeding.

When it comes to animal care, I have a lot of experience with dogs (my true loves!), but I also love being around all kinds of animals any chance I get. Chilean cats turned me into a cat-lover too!

I also enjoy cooking when I have access to a decent kitchen. I'm a little out of practice since I’ve been travelling a lot lately but I used to really enjoy cooking for others when I had my own place.

But really, I suppose one of the most important skills I have is that I’m open to new experiences and I’m not afraid of challenging physical work (or getting dirty). I’m very motivated to listen and learn as many new things from hosts as they’re willing to teach me. I like working with others but I'm also happy to work independently if hosts are willing to provide a little direction to get me started.

Age

40

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  None, I eat everything but can adapt to any diet