An update, 2 years later

I can't believe it's been over 2 years since I last posted on this blog. I've always struggled with consistency, but the 2-year break is a bit much, even in my book.

Like many people, I've spent the last 2 years adjusting to the new way of life. I've noticed some pretty groundbreaking changes in my behaviour - sounds very serious, I know, but what I mean is that, quite frankly, I just...care less about stuff.

Pre-pandemic, I would worry about not travelling enough, not socialising enough, not DOING enough...That's now gone. The fact I *couldn't* do any of these things due to factors outside of my control, made me feel at ease.

It allowed me to slow down and focus on myself. Something I would've probably never thought to have done otherwise. It's kind of mad to think that it took a whole pandemic to get me to change my mindset.

I read a bunch of books, picked up new hobbies and minimized my use of make-up. I mean, what's the point of putting all of that effort in for a work Zoom call? Instead, I did what every other girl has done - I upgraded my skincare routine and consumed a tonne of banana bread. I regret nothing - my skin is the SOFTEST it has ever been, and baking has been a nice distraction.

Other lockdown hobbies consisted of dying my hair pink, attempting to play the flute and spending hours on Duolingo, because who knows, learning a handful of random phrases in different languages might come in useful one day. 🤷

I hope to be more consistent with this blog, use it as my public diary, a safe space for sharing my honest thoughts and reflections, just like I've done 2+ years ago. And if you're checking in after all this time, I appreciate you very much, and promise to do better!

Comments

Why seeking validation from others will only harm your self worth & how to stop

We all have insecurities and we all look for validation from others whether we'd like to admit it or not. It often starts in our early life when we feel the need to fulfil the expectations imposed on us by our parents. Later, it escalates into seeking approval of our physical appearance and behaviour by our peers and partners and eventually, the need to appeal to our colleagues & superiors at work might also come into play. This search for validation becomes addictive and we quickly develop a need for more. But what's really scary about this is the fact that we're letting other people take control over how we feel about ourselves by allowing them to define whether we are attractive enough or smart enough. This is beyond wrong, I mean, how can we value the opinion of others above our own?! Moreover, constantly seeking validation makes receiving disapproval a very painful experience and stops us from moving forward and aiming for our goals. Ultima...

''When you go back home''

I am not one to be easily offended. In fact, I think that we've all become very aware. Every joke and every comment we make is carefully curated, positioned in a way that has absolutely no potential to be taken as deragatory by whoever we're speaking to. Political correctness or not, I love how awake the society has become through all of this. The empathy that emanates from some of us when speaking to someone coming from a minority group, or experiencing difficulties that we will never go through ourselves. But I can't help feeling hurt when assumptions are made. It bothers me when someone assumes how I feel, who I am or where I seem to belong. It stings, when someone asks me when I last visited ''home'' after 15 years of being an expat. Because truth to be told, I have no ''home'' in my native country. HERE is my home. Here is where I belong, where a piece of me will stay even if I choose to move somewhere else in the future. The slightes...

Find your inner child, and learn from them

Our level of responsibility increases as we grow older. We change, inside and out, develop new relationships and focus on the future. Future education, jobs, relationships, maybe buying a house. That's all well and good, we have to keep growing, learning, progressing....that's human nature. But while we try to find our feet in this new stage of life, let's not forget about the inner child. It's that priceless part of you that is absolutely unique, raw, and selfless. As per the Oxford Dictionary, the term 'inner child' refers to ''a person's supposed original or true self, especially when regarded as concealed in adulthood.'' Why connecting with your inner child is important - 2 key benefits: 1. Becoming more curious, motivated, and energized... The inner child and its curiosity, creativity, and zest for life are uncanny. The sad part? We tend to lose a lot of these traits as we grow older. Reconnecting with the inner child allows for the...

The inspiration journal

Search This Blog