Words hold a lot of meaning but a lot of that meaning is personal. Yes, there is a dictionary definition for most words but how we understand them can be influenced by culture, upbringing, change, the times we live in, and context. I thought about this today because I was saying to myself that I… Continue reading Be specific with your words when defining what you want
Tag: self awareness
Advice from a tattoo artist
In the summer of 2016, I decided to get a tattoo and dye my hair red on the same day. Bold moves! As I was getting my tattoo done, I spoke with the tattoo artist, as you do. I told him I was nervous about dyeing my hair. And he said something that has sat… Continue reading Advice from a tattoo artist
Retreating
I feel this need, this sense of urgency to retreat inward. To go off the grid and be solo for a while. Not to post. Not to share. Not to outwardly be working on something. Not to be defined by, and have my time dictated by, grades and essays. Not to be working on the… Continue reading Retreating
Changing the language around my anxiety
(This is a personal experiment I am trying to shift my mindset about my anxiety. I am not suggesting people with anxiety should do the same, especially if they suffer from severe anxiety or panic disorders. I have worked for over a decade with therapists, doctors, books, and my own personal experiences to get to… Continue reading Changing the language around my anxiety
Repeated life lessons
In 2022, I was reminded that people don’t think as I do. We are not all the same, even deep down. Some people will villainise you. Some people will look off in another direction and see something you don’t see, while saying you are wrong. Some people have stubborn minds. Some people are hurt so… Continue reading Repeated life lessons
My intentions for 2023
I wanted to desperately to have a beautiful, simple idea to guide my year. Every year I like to pick a motto or phrase to help me stay focused and set the tone for my year. As you go, of course, you forget what this was, unless you intentionally revisit it. My motto for last… Continue reading My intentions for 2023
My year at a glance
As per usual, this is my post about what my year’s achievements and high points were. I like looking back at these as the years go by, so that’s why I document it all. Got married in summer Changed jobs to a better school Ran 5x5km runs (never ran 5km before) Wrote an 84,000 word… Continue reading My year at a glance
Self-Censorship
I wrote a long reflection post about my time in South Africa. But I deleted it. I felt censored. I felt afraid to say the truth of my experience. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, even though my feelings were hurt many times on and around the trip. It’s lead me to writing this… Continue reading Self-Censorship
Tired of the battle with myself (journal entry)
Why are we so hard on ourselves? As if life isn’t hard enough as it is! We cut ourselves down with a sharpened scythe, hoping to fit in with people and places that don’t value us. We try so hard, gasping and screaming and gripping with blistered fingers at the edges of what we think… Continue reading Tired of the battle with myself (journal entry)
What’s truly scary (motivation for the last 2 months of the year)
You know what’s scarier than getting on the plane? Never having left your hometown and widened your perspective. To stay small and inexperienced, not understanding, on a deeper personal level, the other cultures and beauties in this world. That’s terrifying. You know what’s scarier than publishing a book and being judged? Not publishing and bearing… Continue reading What’s truly scary (motivation for the last 2 months of the year)
