> What's Your Currency?

What started as a 9-month personal project for me back in 2009, documenting positive recession stories, has turned into a self-published book, an amazing gallery show, countless interviews and strangers still emailing me about how much my project inspires them. My hope is to continue looking into the currencies in other people’s lives and celebrating their strength, beauty and resilience.

> What's Your Currency?

What started as a 9-month personal project for me back in 2009, documenting positive recession stories, has turned into a self-published book, an amazing gallery show, countless interviews and strangers still emailing me about how much my project inspires them. My hope is to continue looking into the currencies in other people’s lives and celebrating their strength, beauty and resilience.

Tom

What do you do when you turn 30 and you don’t really want to buy that house in the suburbs? Do you dare listen to your heart’s desire to travel the world on motorcycle or do you give in to society and family pressure and settle down? If your Tom, you quit your stable job, sell everything you have, buy a vintage motorcycle and and set out on a new adventure.

Tom was a Project Manager at the largest special effects company in Europe, had a great apartment just outside of London and a fiancé. He seemingly had it all but he wasn’t happy. So, he and his fiancé both decided to leave their jobs in London and get on the road. “We put everything in storage and bought two Honda ct110 bikes,” Tom says. Having a propensity towards nostalgia, Tom chose this type of bike because of its character and it was made the same year he was born. It had to be good luck.

Sadly, after two years of touring around New Zealand Tom and his fiancé split. “I guess looking back this was the impetus I needed to give me the drive and determination to start this crazy around the world trip on my tiny bike!” Having logged countless miles and time in New Zealand Tom felt confident the bike was up for the adventure. To be safe he called Auckland Honda before he left and told them what he was doing. He brought the bike in. “I just needed one part but didn’t have a workshop.” Says Tom. The guys at Aukland Honda took Tom and his bike under their wing and rebuilt the entire bike for free. “They basically replaced any part that was even slightly worn. It was amazing what they did for me.”

When I met Tom in Bali he had covered four countries and almost 14,000 miles beginning his trip around the world. “Solo traveling can be hard sometimes but it's very rewarding. I get a chance to give back to people along the way.” Tom describes to me how he works for room and board, doing anything and everything he’s even remotely skilled at. When we met he was helping a local expat build a dive center.

Planning to travel for years, Tom tells me that he may run out of money but he’s not worried. “Having been on the road a year now I believe that 99% of people on this planet are good and will help you when you need it. And I’m a great believer in things happening for a reason. I know I’ll find people who will help me, if I just continue to work hard and be a good person.” I try to imagine his life back in London, him sitting in a crowded, dark office and can’t picture it. He looks so at home in his skin, so happy, like he’s found what he was looking for.

About the currency project

The Currency Project challenges us all to see the beauty through the pain, the positive that can come from a negative and the heartbreak that can turn into a new beginning. Life is uncertain but our faith, hope and love can never be taken from us. Our true currency in life is what we make it.