2018 Q2 Round-up

As I’ve mentioned previously, this year I’m investing in myself. And with every investment, you need to assess the returns regularly. My second quarter has been one of development and gratitude.

1. Doing more of what I love. I’m still reading regularly, though I’ve been reluctant to write recently and as a result the book reviews have been put off. I’ve not written a blog post in 3 months – massive failure on my part. But I’m correcting that now, and am feeling inspired to keep at it. I’m currently reading the first GOT novel, gifted to me by my uncle. I want to see how many of the series I can get through this summer. #WinterIsComing
2. I’m taking small steps with practicing mindfulness and Hindi.
3. I still can’t ride a bike, but summer is the perfect time to learn!

Other updates:

• Earlier this year I split with my partner. I was worried about the adjustment to single-life but now a few months have passed and I’m proud of how we’ve both moved on from the break-up.
• Work-wise, I’ve also experienced a change. I no longer have to trek to Surrey every day, and am overjoyed to have moved offices within my role. Thanks to my shorter commute I now have more energy and time to spend on the things that matter most.
• Something I’m proud to have made progress on is sustaining relationships with close friends and family. I’ve made more of an effort to meet up with friends I rarely see, and stay in touch with family members. It’s easy to get caught up in the mundanity of work-life, living for the weekend and watching it fly by. But it’s important not to let the everyday distract you from these key connections in your life. I’m happy to have got this one goal down and looking forward to seeing what Q3 brings…

Q1 2018 Round-up

At work we analyse the year in quarters. Perhaps the corporate world is consuming me, but I find this to be a useful way to breakdown the year and reflect on personal progress.

“But what about the seasons?” I hear you say. The effects of climate change have destroyed our traditional seasons and left us in an eternal winter. It’s almost April but Spring is nowhere to be seen…

For anyone who’s interested on doing their own personal quarterly analysis, the year is as follows:

Q1: Jan – March

Q2: April – June

Q3: July – Sept

Q4: Oct – Dec

This year I’m treating myself as my own private venture by investing in my physical and mental well-being. I’m using my 2018 goals as a starting point. Let’s see how I did:

1. Mindfulness – So I haven’t meditated fortnightly like I planned. But I have been much calmer this year. I feel more relaxed than I did last year, and when I find myself in stressful situations focusing on my breathing has helped.
2. Learning how to – nada. But there’s plenty of time to work on this, and I can make this a priority moving forward.
3. Doing more of what I love – Part success. I’ve read 1 book a month, though I failed to review each book. I’ve been writing more often and exercising once a week.

 

Other personal updates:

• Finances – I’m starting to get better with budgeting and have so far been on track with my financial goals for this year.
• Travelling – I’ve planned a number of city breaks to see more of the world and learn about other cultures. I’ve visited Naples and Istanbul this quarter. (Istanbul was on my bucket list and exploring the city gave me a new lease of life).
• Relationships – Nurturing relationships can be the hardest but most important part of our everyday lives. I’ve distanced myself from friends who breed negativity, established new friendships and spent more time with family. I’m also finding more time to enjoy my own company.

 

The year’s only just begun but already so much has changed. Looking back at the last 3 months, the failures and successes, I know what I need to work on for Q2. Here’s to a profitable second quarter…

 

Reflections on 2017: Shortcomings & Goals

New Year’s Resolutions aren’t for me. I can’t remember the last time I made one, or know anyone who has ever stuck to one. This year I’m setting myself some goals based on what I think are the most important and realistic areas I’d like to improve on. When we reflect on our shortcomings it’s easy to be overly critical and diminish the things we’ve achieved. Be kind to yourself, take some time to accept any shortcomings you think you’ve had this year and turn it into something more positive. #personalgoals

 

1. Mindfulness

My temper has become even shorter this year and it’s something I have been trying/failing to tame. I want to work on being more peaceful next year and stressing less. Mindfulness has been proven to lessen stress, aid mental health and physical well-being. It may be the thing I need to find my zen. I attended a mindfulness session at work and really loved it. Everyday stresses, especially surrounding work and my commute are things I can work on for next year. I am scheduling in meditation once every two weeks in 2018 as a step in the right direction.

 

2. Learning how to:

• Ride a bike
• Ice skate
• Speak Hindi

These are 3 things I lack confidence with. I can’t ride a bike and was scared of falling off when I tried earlier this year. I’d love to ice skate but have no balance and am embarrassingly clumsy. As much as I want to, I’m worried I’ll hurt myself. I need to overcome my fears next year and just go for it, though that’s easier said than done.

My family speak a mixture of Gujarati and Hindi but my knowledge of it is pretty basic now. I told myself I’d visit India once I had a good grasp on the language. As Hindi is the most widely used language, I’ll start there. I surprised myself with how quickly I picked up Spanish phrases once I took the time to learn before I went to Cuba. As with any goal, it’s all about determination. This is a goal I’ve been struggling to achieve for years. I gave up learning Gujarati as a teenager, as an adult I need to persevere. Alternating the weeks of meditation sessions I will practice Hindi for one hour every fortnight. I know it won’t make me a master of the language, but every little bit helps.

 

3. Doing more of what I love

A number of hobbies have fallen by the wayside this year as my work and social life got busier. Next year I hope to have a better balance between work/friends/love/family and me-time. I’ve stopped reading. I am always thinking of things I want to write about but never find the time. I’ve stopped going to the gym. I’m creative but never draw anymore. All of these little things that make me happy have been sidelined but I plan to make them more of a priority next year. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.

As a minimum…

I will blog every fortnight – once I get an idea it has to be written that week or else be scrapped.

I will read one book per month, and write a following review.

I will exercise twice a week.

 

There’s no point in getting down about what we haven’t done this year, accept your shortcomings and set yourself some goals. My ultimate goal is to have a healthier mind and body. I want to learn and continue to grow as an individual. Whatever your goals are, be honest and kind to yourself. Look forward to the new year and all the things you can achieve.

 

Wishing you a very happy and successful new year

x

Reflections on 2017: Personal Growth & Accomplishments

2017 has been a struggle. It’s been the most difficult year of my life but at the same time it’s been a year of personal growth. As the year ends there are bound to be things we wish we could have done, or regret doing, but we can’t change the past. All we can do is learn from the year and look forward. I’m taking this time to reflect on my achievements and encourage others to do the same.

Things I’ve achieved this year:

1. Leaving my family home.

The biggest and most significant change in my life has been my living situation. Those closest to me know what a struggle it’s been, and those that don’t don’t need to. I’m incredibly thankful that after years of living in a toxic household, scared for the safety of my mum and distraught over what felt like a hopeless situation, it’s finally over. Though the move has been a massive adjustment with its own set of problems, having a home that I feel safe in and where I know my mum will be sleeping soundly without any disruption from my father is a huge step for my family. Last December I wanted to kill myself because things had gotten so bad it felt like there was no way out. It wasn’t easy, but we’re here and I’m truly thankful to be here.

 

2. Securing my first real job!

At the start of the year I was working part time at a job I hated and was desperately looking for work. We’ve all been there. I had just graduated from my Masters and I could’t even get an interview, just rejection after rejection. I was recommended for a job by a close friend and at the time I was so depressed I had no self-belief when it came to the interviews. I had 2 tests and 3 interviews before finding out I got the job! I was shocked to say the least. I’ve been at the company for 8 months now and I really love my job and the people I work with. I was lucky enough to attend my first conference abroad in October and the experience gave me extra confidence in myself and my professional expertise. Work can be stressful but I’m really looking forward to the new year and a new set of #careergoals.

 

3. Taking a chance on love

At the start of the year I did something I never thought I would do, I went away with my partner. This might not sound radical to some, but for me going away with someone was a big deal. Not only does it require an extreme level of trust, it’s also a big commitment. For someone who is pretty uncomfortable with commitment, it was kind of scary. Relationships aren’t all roses, and neither are holidays. I went solely on instinct and feeling and I’m so glad I did. Not only did I get to visit a beautiful city (Budapest), I did so with the most amazing partner. He brought out the adventurer in me and we’ve had so many incredible trips this year it doesn’t seem real when I think about it. With crazy strict parents I was never allowed to sleep round friend’s houses, let alone leave the country. Going away with my partner allowed me to grow as an independent adult, and as a girlfriend. I’ve learnt a lot about myself and my relationship through our travels together. I can’t wait to see where 2018 takes us.