Over the past few days, as 2015 came to an end and a new year was commencing, I observed quite a large number of people declaring their achievements, lessons learnt, travel details for that year over various platforms of New Media. All these declarations, be it of their personal achievements and experiences or their professional achievements, got me thinking of what I have achieved and learnt from the year. 'What would I want to change about myself, or the way I handled things?' I thought to myself. The fact that this post is late clearly shows this thought process took some time, letting me delve deep into my thoughts and experiences. It also shows that it took me a while to figure out what I will be comfortable sharing on a public forum and what things I will just keep to my lovely self.
So here's what I feel would be interesting for you to know and perhaps learn from what I believe are both positive and negative experiences in my life from 2015.
1. Doing a job that makes you happy
In mid 2015 I made a drastic change to my career. I will confess it was neither the easiest decision to make nor was the transition. I had a heap of things to consider when making this decision, but what really got me through was the fact that I was still young enough to make a drastic change in my life. And if all things fail, well I could always go back. The transition, well it was a hurried affair and having to leave my former colleagues was very very difficult. As a result, I still visit them when ever I can. But a hurried transition also meant I had to ensure my work, especially as I was in PR, transitioned smoothly and that none of the work I had planned flopped. Thus, I was very well overworked during this time.
But I like my new line of work in the field of tertiary education. I also get to engage in a lot of research and perhaps this fits well into my thirst for answers and searching for the 'whys'.
2. Tomorrow doesn't come
I think it's high time I learnt that 'tomorrows' don't ever come. Looking back, I realised that I have been putting off some very important tasks, thinking I will engage in it in the next-most-available-time. But guess what, that next-most-available-time never came. This doesn't mean I am a slob, that's far from it, but me trying prioritise on the workload led me to behave in this manner. I guess I didn't realise that other commitments could come up during the time I had set up to get this work done. Now, as a result I started a new year, feeling rather unpleasant of this behaviour of mine and with a heap of backlog I suddenly have to see through.
So my advice, always try to get what you can done today, the moment you can. At least even a little attempt at starting it will help.
3. Fitness is happiness
Oh jolly! I dare say 2015 has probably been the most fit I have ever been! And this made me happy. Very happy! This vigour for being fit only increased several-fold with my new job as it allowed me to try out and pursue many more sporting activities. As a result, I have happily incorporated swimming and badminton into my weekly fitness schedule. I guess you get the picture that I engage in other activities to keep myself fit ya? ;)
But it wasn't only the fact that I was being fit that made me happy. I was also bold enough to try out new things. In addition to swimming - something I had wanted to start for quite awhile - I also started dancing. The western-kind. So now I can quite happily dance Ballroom, Jive and the Cha Cha. That too quite a feat in merely a week! So you see why I am happy? And I have decided I kind of want to continue dancing. And dancing too is something I have wanted to do for the longest time and probably the only thing I hadn't engaged in. This feat of trying out new things have also put me in the spot as during the course of 2015 I have had this desire to recommence my martial arts. Words of encouragement from friends who are already engaged in various forms of it, aren't helping my cause. Heh.
Even though 2015 was an overall fit year, I was not able to be fit during the last month. And I could feel this lack of fitness. So not only was I determined to set this straight before the end of the year but I was equally determined to not let it happen again!
4. Relationships for the sake of it
This is probably something that has been in my mind for a while, but I guess looking back, 2015 really hit the nail on the head. There were times I got into relationships for the wrong reasons, like getting back with exes or because someone, such as parents told me to do so. Now, looking back - even though penning this realisation is rather late - those weren't valid reasons for being in a relationship.
Another thing related to relationships is not settling for less than your worth. And I have to thank a few good friends for making me realise this, for it's easy and tempting to settle for less than your worth and getting into relationships you wouldn't quite enjoy in the long run. 'Nuff said there!
5. Relaxation and time for self
Relaxing. This I believe is a very important lesson and something I hope I will remember for many many years to come. I am generally someone who loves to enjoy some quiet time with nature and easing off the pressure etc. But I had not had the opportunity to do so over the last few months of 2015. And this had me rather tired and low on energy towards the end of December. So much so that, my vacation - or whatever was left of it - was not sufficient time for me to relax. And the one day I could actually squeeze out to head out of the city, made me realise how much I need time to myself away from people, just to be with nature. And I won't even get into not getting a decent vacation. :(
So here's what I feel would be interesting for you to know and perhaps learn from what I believe are both positive and negative experiences in my life from 2015.
1. Doing a job that makes you happy
In mid 2015 I made a drastic change to my career. I will confess it was neither the easiest decision to make nor was the transition. I had a heap of things to consider when making this decision, but what really got me through was the fact that I was still young enough to make a drastic change in my life. And if all things fail, well I could always go back. The transition, well it was a hurried affair and having to leave my former colleagues was very very difficult. As a result, I still visit them when ever I can. But a hurried transition also meant I had to ensure my work, especially as I was in PR, transitioned smoothly and that none of the work I had planned flopped. Thus, I was very well overworked during this time. But I like my new line of work in the field of tertiary education. I also get to engage in a lot of research and perhaps this fits well into my thirst for answers and searching for the 'whys'.
2. Tomorrow doesn't come
I think it's high time I learnt that 'tomorrows' don't ever come. Looking back, I realised that I have been putting off some very important tasks, thinking I will engage in it in the next-most-available-time. But guess what, that next-most-available-time never came. This doesn't mean I am a slob, that's far from it, but me trying prioritise on the workload led me to behave in this manner. I guess I didn't realise that other commitments could come up during the time I had set up to get this work done. Now, as a result I started a new year, feeling rather unpleasant of this behaviour of mine and with a heap of backlog I suddenly have to see through.
So my advice, always try to get what you can done today, the moment you can. At least even a little attempt at starting it will help.
3. Fitness is happiness
Oh jolly! I dare say 2015 has probably been the most fit I have ever been! And this made me happy. Very happy! This vigour for being fit only increased several-fold with my new job as it allowed me to try out and pursue many more sporting activities. As a result, I have happily incorporated swimming and badminton into my weekly fitness schedule. I guess you get the picture that I engage in other activities to keep myself fit ya? ;)
But it wasn't only the fact that I was being fit that made me happy. I was also bold enough to try out new things. In addition to swimming - something I had wanted to start for quite awhile - I also started dancing. The western-kind. So now I can quite happily dance Ballroom, Jive and the Cha Cha. That too quite a feat in merely a week! So you see why I am happy? And I have decided I kind of want to continue dancing. And dancing too is something I have wanted to do for the longest time and probably the only thing I hadn't engaged in. This feat of trying out new things have also put me in the spot as during the course of 2015 I have had this desire to recommence my martial arts. Words of encouragement from friends who are already engaged in various forms of it, aren't helping my cause. Heh. Even though 2015 was an overall fit year, I was not able to be fit during the last month. And I could feel this lack of fitness. So not only was I determined to set this straight before the end of the year but I was equally determined to not let it happen again!
4. Relationships for the sake of it
This is probably something that has been in my mind for a while, but I guess looking back, 2015 really hit the nail on the head. There were times I got into relationships for the wrong reasons, like getting back with exes or because someone, such as parents told me to do so. Now, looking back - even though penning this realisation is rather late - those weren't valid reasons for being in a relationship.
Another thing related to relationships is not settling for less than your worth. And I have to thank a few good friends for making me realise this, for it's easy and tempting to settle for less than your worth and getting into relationships you wouldn't quite enjoy in the long run. 'Nuff said there!
5. Relaxation and time for self
Relaxing. This I believe is a very important lesson and something I hope I will remember for many many years to come. I am generally someone who loves to enjoy some quiet time with nature and easing off the pressure etc. But I had not had the opportunity to do so over the last few months of 2015. And this had me rather tired and low on energy towards the end of December. So much so that, my vacation - or whatever was left of it - was not sufficient time for me to relax. And the one day I could actually squeeze out to head out of the city, made me realise how much I need time to myself away from people, just to be with nature. And I won't even get into not getting a decent vacation. :( 
