Sometimes you're mindlessly scrolling through your feed... and then bam! – suddenly you're in the middle of someone's adventure. No filtered cappuccinos or outfit posts, but real stories. Of dust, sweat, blisters, and dreams. Like Justus and Joël's. Two completely different people, with one thing in common: they just do it.
Justin bought a cabin in the woods for €5000
A concrete hut, deep in the Balkan forests. No water, no electricity, and completely overgrown. American Justus Reid, apparently no stranger to the Balkans, bought it for just five thousand euros. Since last week, he's been sharing daily updates on Instagram and TikTok about his renovations. Initially, it's mostly exploring and clearing rubble, but with the help of super friendly locals, it's moving along quite quickly. With a shovel in one hand and his phone in the other, he takes you into his forest bubble. And it's infectious: in just a few days, he's gained over 500,000 followers.
His videos are infectious, and I find myself really looking forward to his updates. A damaged roof? Time for some vlogging. What's there in the attic? What could be there? Eyes that glow in the dark as he clears away some debris. Then go inside! It's like you're right there. Definitely worth watching! @justus_reid
Joël on her longboard to Portugal
And then there's Joël van Leeuwaarde. She decided: I'm going to grab my longboard and ride from Soest to Portugal. Yes, really. She's not just doing this for herself, but With this journey, she wants to raise awareness for mental health among young people. She's been on the road for over forty days now, and it's been full of ups and downs. Her journey is beautiful, but sometimes quite challenging, yet so inspiring to follow. On Instagram and TikTok, Joël shares daily updates full of blisters, encounters, and unexpected moments of joy. From flies in your hair to dancing in Bordeaux. You can feel that she's not just racking up the miles along the way, but also creating space in her mind. So follow along! @joels_pushingforward
Why we love this so much
Why do we keep watching these modern adventurers? Perhaps because they're doing what we often only dream of. They step outside the box, surrender to chance, and build something with their own hands. They show that you don't necessarily have to be rich, handy, or super fit to go on an adventure. Above all, you need courage. And a little imagination.
What is your forest hut?
Maybe you don't need to go to the Balkans or board a ship south at all. Maybe your adventure is starting a vegetable garden, painting a room a funky color, or finally starting that digital detox (for free) . Everything starts with a first step. Just DO it—preferably this summer vacation!
Looking for a bit of adventure? Then follow Justus and Joël and be amazed. Or better yet, ask yourself... what would you do if anything were possible?
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