Part 2 Of Lessons I've Learnt In The Past Year.

Recently, I've been spending a lot time in nature. It begins with me just sitting there feeling the grass with the soles of my feet to observing the swaying of tree leaves caused by the wind. And the longer I just sit there and observe, the more I feel at peace. And the more I feel at home. 🏠🛖🪹

And everytime I feel like that, the more I want to experience more and more of that feeling. Which had me thinking about the different things and experiences I can bring and cultivate into my life to bring more of that. It doesn't have to be anything big, it could be something as simple as bird watching🦅 or listening to that favourite song that feels like a hug. 🤗

Because at the end of the day we all want to feel at home, regardless of whether we are at home or not. Because truth be told for some a home maybe their art🎨, a person, a book📖, the feel of the wind while riding a bike etc. _So if you can, try to make time to cultivate that feeling - because it's really one of those things that matter in life._ 🏵️☘️

We all have that habit we would like to implement, however there are sometimes things that hold us back. One of the reasons we can't be consistent is not because implementing the habit is difficult but because it's new & unfamiliar to our brain and as a result, we keep on backtracking.😐🫢

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act but a habit" - Aristotle

One way to make it easy for yourself to implement that new habit is creating a trigger. So this means having an object to trigger you into doing what you set out to do. So if the new habit is running in the mornings - the trigger object could be your running clothes. And as time goes on, your brain equate seeing running clothes with running every morning. And a few months down the line your new habit will be cemented in your brain. 🧠

*Not only will this help with implementing new habits but it also builds confidence from consistently showing up for yourself because you're telling yourself you're capable of doing difficult things.* 💪🏽🧠

Ever found yourself in a situation where there is absolutely nothing you can do to change a situation. Like you have exhausted all the possibilities you can think of and still come to nothing and all you can do is overthink.

Overthinking about how the situation will pan out. How that situation will leave you stranded. How you are so uncertain that your mind is all over the place.

And when you are in that situation, you can't do anything, let alone think properly.

In my experience, what I've come to find out is that the best think you can do is acknowledge where you are. Acknowledge that you don't know what to do. Acknowledge that there is nothing you can do, like you have no control over the situation and make peace with that.

Sometimes we overthinking because of the uncertain future ahead of us. Overthinking helps us stay in control even if we aren't really in control.

Don't focus too much on what might or might not happen. Bring yourself back to the present moment and away from your mind. You can only focus on this current moment as that is all you're in control of. Once you're here - trust that it will all work out and everything is going to be okay. It's just a hurdle - and you've been through a lot of hurdles in your life even though they were difficult, so what's one more, right?

No amount of thinking can change the outcome of a situation. So save that energy for something peaceful, that fear and anxiety is not worth it. You are going to be okay.❤️🎀

You can't out-think fear you can only out-act it. One step at a time, one fear at a time and eventually, that situation will no longer scare you. And through that action you build the confidence of being able to face whatever fear that might show up.

It's almost June and it will be a year since I had decided to start taking walks in my neighborhood and I thought to share the stories from strangers I have met on my walking journey

- One, was an elderly lady who had a daughter that was my age - who had come from a different part of town to find the electricity committee centre in our area. At the end of the walk she even gave me money to thank me for escorting her.

- The other time I came across a high school student, who was on her way to school to fetch her cousins. On that day she was she was dressed in clothes and she was a bit nervous that her schoolmates would judge her attire since everyone would be wearing school uniform. So I offered to walk with her until we parted ways when she saw her cousins. That experience just made me reflect on how when we are still in school - the school community becomes our whole world. Our peers' judgements and opinions seem to matter very much until we leave school and realise it didn't matter at all.

- Another time I came across a university student who was studying architecture - he was telling me about how he couldn't wait to finish his degree so that he could start making money and support his family since the pressure at home was becoming too much for him.

Ever been in one of those situations where everyone around you knows their dream or passion or what they want to do with their lives except you? Yeah, I've been there and at most times when I was asked what I wanted to be, at 13 I had said journalist because because I liked writing. I liked writing children's stories but saying that just sounded cringe so I opted for something formal like journalism. Then at 15, I had said being an accountant because my teacher had suggested so since I was good at it. And so when I got to uni I registered for accounting. Then one year in I decided to change my major to information systems since it seemed more bearable than accounting. Fast forward to 2021 I no longer liked or enjoyed Information systems. Call it burnout or depression but continuing that path got so heavy to the point where my body even pained.

And so after graduation I had decided to take a "gap year". That's what I told my parents it was but deep down I had no idea what I was doing anymore or what I was gonna do. So for the rest of 2022 I would just chill at home and read books - fiction and nonfiction alike. Something to pass time until one day I started asking myself questions as to what I am even doing here on Earth.

Which led to searching on purpose, passions, dreams, spirituality etc. And somewhere along the journey I might have found my passion. Something that excites me, something I really enjoy learning about. And that something has to do with self growth, personal development, health & wellness. The more I learn about it, the more I wanna know. Would I say this is my dream? To be honest, I don't know but it's something I'm currently passionate about right now and I thought I could share what I find interesting about it and how it has helped me get out of a rut. So yeah, that's kinda the point of this blog. #purpose #passion #lost #health&wellness #firstpost

Ruts. Also known as one of those phases in life where you are just existing and not really living. Where you are just going through the exact same cycle day by day just to keep yourself alive. 😕

Where you have no idea what's next or don't know what you are working towards. The phase where it gets to the point where it feels like you're just being dragged by life.🫥😵😵‍💫

That's when you know you need some clarity. 💯

And sometimes clarity requires stillness. So slow down if you will.

Other times clarity requires silence and solitude. Take time away from external stimuli because you can't hear yourself if you always surrounded by outside noise. 📢📢

And as you start to slow down and be still eventually the answers will come.

Maybe in the form of a burst of inspiration. Or coming across that one thing you used to enjoy but left halfway cause you never had the time for it. Or maybe through meeting rekindling an old friendship. 🫂🫶🏼

Anyway.... you never really know what that one choice can bring you as long as it's bringing you closer to your true self.🌸💫

What does peace feel like?

- Peace feels like spending hours and hours just gazing at the clouds passing by.

- Peace feels like that warm heat that permeates your clothes while you are enjoying the sunshine

- Peace feels like being held and supported by Mother Earth while you're tending to your garden plants.

- Peace feels like being in your flow while you're writing that funny but beautiful poem

- Peace feels like being full of nostalgia while reminiscing about your past friendships and adventures

- Peace feels like that right sour taste of grapefruit going down your throat

- Peace feels like watching birds painting themselves on a blank canvas that is the sky

- Peace feels like being in a quiet house whilst listening to the dogs barking outside

- Peace feels like going to bed late on a Friday night knowing there's no need to wake up early tomorrow

- Peace feels like being happy at any moment because all your needs are met

- Peace feels like home

There are times when I want to apologize to my body.

Times when I choose to eat sweet and dry foods knowing they aren't good for my digestive system.

Times when I add another spoonful of sugar in my tea because it just doesn't taste sweet enough.

The times when I react and don't take the time to tune into my body and feel if I really want to eat something rather than eating just because everyone around me is eating.

There are times when I want to apologize to my body.

The times when I postpone my exercise because I don't feel like it even though it feels great when I move my body.

The times when I skip my daily walk even though I enjoy the smell of pine trees I pass along the way.

The times when I choose to listen to an additional podcast episode fully knowing in that moment my body just wants silence and stillness.

The times when I entertain the negative thoughts when there are ten other positive things I could focus on.

The times when I can choose to sit outside and listen to the birds rather than doomscroll on the socials.

There are times when I want to apologize to my body but I don't because what's the point of an apology without changed behaviour.

I am tired of wanting to apologize to my body because now I want to show my body it can trust me the way I've always trusted it.

I am tired of wanting to apologize to my body because now I am deciding to not be that person anymore.

I want to show my body I can be a good steward of this beautiful vessel.