DEPLOYMENT #19

Accidental words from our CEO

1.5 hr West of Sydney.

Cabin: Yenya

Words by: Chris Grant - Unyoked CEO

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Our CEO Chris is one of our co-founders who’s definitely been lacking in some quiet time off-grid lately. After spending a few days at our new Megalong cabins, he wrote a few notes to himself that we thought sounded so perfect and true to the Unyoked experience that it was time to turn them into a feature including photos from our Field Correspondents. For anyone who’s scribbled or typed notes in the middle of the night, let this be proof that nothing is wasted when you’re out in the wilderness! Over to you, Chris….

DAY 1

The last 30 mins of the drive into the valley was really special; winding tracks through lush rainforest with giant rock escarpments above.

At the car park, I decided to give the luggage trolley a test. I was ready for a challenging walk but was rewarded with a downhill stroll of about 10 mins.

📷 @the.wandering.boysArriving at the cabin felt amazing, it’s tucked in a nook in the valley and slowly presents itself as you get closer. — 📷 @the.wandering.boys
**Arriving at the cabin felt amazing, it’s tucked in a nook in the valley and slowly presents itself as you get closer.**

📷@juliatemberThe running creek next to towering pines around the valley makes for a welcome assault on blunt city senses. — 📷@juliatember
**The running creek next to towering pines around the valley makes for a welcome assault on blunt city senses.**

📷@iamtessatranI met the ‘wild broncos’ just before the cabin - one of them let me pat it. — 📷@iamtessatran
**I met the ‘wild broncos’ just before the cabin - one of them let me pat it.**

📷@juliatemberI was quickly reminded that there’s no reception in and around the cabin so my long list of tasks I’d set myself to complete were largely going to have to wait. I sat down to plan what I could do with this time, which I quickly realised was a pretty Yoked thing to do. This presented me with a situation that I don’t get often enough - a day and a half of time with no meetings, no connectivity, no interruptions. Just me alone. I was ready to get Unyoked. — 📷@juliatember
I was quickly reminded that there’s no reception in and around the cabin so my long list of tasks I’d set myself to complete were largely going to have to wait. I sat down to plan what I could do with this time, which I quickly realised was a pretty Yoked thing to do.
**This presented me with a situation that I don’t get often enough - a day and a half of time with no meetings, no connectivity, no interruptions.**
**Just me alone.**
**I was ready to get Unyoked.**

DAY 2

It took until waking on my first full day to feel like I was syncing with the environment around me - I was slowing down, I found it easier to comprehend the landscape and I was hearing the birds sing.

I brewed tea to warm the cabin and the smell filled the air.

I penciled my answers into the Field Guide and chuckled at the copy.

I meditated and then went for a morning stroll, following the creek along the ridge.

I found a stick. All the important things.

📷@the.wandering.boysI met the horses again who I’d come to think of as friends but one bit me on the arm to remind me that, unlike humans, it takes more than 24hrs in the wilderness together to become mates. — 📷@the.wandering.boys
**I met the horses again who I’d come to think of as friends but one bit me on the arm to remind me that, unlike humans, it takes more than 24hrs in the wilderness together to become mates.**

Once back at the cabin I grabbed my notebook and set up on the deck:

I wrote a list of what I’m grateful for.

I reflected on my personal performance. How can I be a better ? How can I focus more on helping our Unyoked crew?

I cleaned out my to-dos. I reorganised my personal systems and added new ones to support areas I’d highlighted in the above.

I sat staring at the cabin, brainstorming how we can evolve it. What has no-one thought of before? What’s next for us?

I pondered and strategised on some of my larger projects and gained a view of them I didn’t have before.

📷@the.wandering.boysAt night I stared at the stars in between storms and found a fox watching me from the woods.I read a book that I often throw into my bag but rarely find time to reach for.I slept well. — 📷@the.wandering.boys
**At night I stared at the stars in between storms and found a fox watching me from the woods.**
**I read a book that I often throw into my bag but rarely find time to reach for.**
**I slept well.**

The end.

Photos by @iamtessatran | @juliatember | @the.wandering.boys
Words by Unyoked co-founder Chris Grant

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