The calendar marked the half way point of 2017, the first of June. Depending on the person, the mark of the first six months being behind us is a sign of reflection and questioning where this year has gone. With every year that passes by, they seem to be going quicker and quicker. For me, the first of June is a time of reflection of what I have accomplished and hope to achieve.
Being the perfectionist that I am, I look back thinking I haven’t accomplished a great deal. With reflecting comes a sense of failure, however I know I have accomplished some amazing milestones within the last six months. With this said being the way I am, a perfectionist and extremely critical of myself it isn’t good enough. I want to achieve more in 2017, so here is my reflection of the six months that has been and what I hope to achieve in the next six months.
Moving out of home (and overseas).
I am twenty-three and have never lived out of home. I have always dreamed about moving overseas, the usual places such as London or New York. For years I have come extremely close to diving in the deep end and applying for my UK visa. But fear being the deciding factor has held me back. So when I applied for a job that would see me moving to Bali, I didn’t think much of it. I applied and to my surprise I got the job. Within a matter of two and a half weeks, I was on the plane first flying to Singapore to meet the team and then off to Bali. Never even considering Bali as a holiday destination, it was now my new home. In all honesty if it wasn’t the fact that it happened so quickly, I believe I would have talked myself out of going. The fact I was thrown in, with no real time to think made me go through with it.
There were parts that were difficult, I will admit. Having traveled throughout Europe, parts of America and Mexico and my only experience of traveling within Asia was Bangkok when I was twelve – I didn’t know what to expect. The cultural shock was prevalent, the chaos of the streets along with the dirtiness of it all didn’t appeal to me at first. It took me just over a month to start liking it. Even though I only lived overseas and out of home for two months, I have learnt plenty. Being home I am considering taking the plunge and finally moving to London, I just need to overcome the fear.
People from my past will enter back into my life.
2017 so far has displayed that even though people leave, often they come back. It definitely brings up past feelings, that go beyond the first six months of 2017. I have learnt that with some people it allows you to reflect on how you once were, what was happening in your life at the time that they were previously in it or when you met them. This in itself for me shows how much I have grown and how far I have come, not only in 2017 but throughout the years.
Take time out, to relax.
One thing 2017 taught me and Bali was to take time out and relax. Now I am living in the moment, trying not to let the thought of the future scare me to much. When I am feeling as if I am stressing out or if I need some time out, I take it.
I am more than capable.
I have always struggled with believing in myself and what I can achieve. From my skills, talents and essentially everything. The job I have that took me to Bali showed me that I am good at what I do and what I want to eventually do – whatever that may be. The self doubt is always creeping into my creative pursuits. A perfectionist with self doubt is never a good combination. This job and 2017 has made me grow so much as a person. Challenge after challenge has been thrown at me and I have proved to myself that I am capable.
Comfort zones, get out of them.
From the hectic streets of Bali, riding on the back of scooters (getting into two scooter accidents) and not speaking the local language to name just a few. My comfort zone was no longer. Having always wanted to move overseas, this year that happened. It showed me that when you remove yourself out of your comfort zone, amazing things happen. Not only do your eyes open up to all these endless possibilities but you grow and learn. It definitely reflects back to displaying what you are capable of. The experience of diving head first with not thinking or letting fear control, sent me out of my comfort zone in a foreign country and I couldn’t have been happier that it happened..
What I want for the rest of 2017.
I am hoping that the next six months of 2017 sees me not let fear control me and see me stepping out of my comfort zones. Trying a new class, a passion of mine or skydiving the possibilities are endless. Pursuing photography and videography are on the agenda. I’m wanting to focus on blogging a lot more and building up my Instagram. As well as being happy, traveling more, getting fitter and healthier and figuring out where I want my life to take me.
The aim is to believe in myself more and as Gary Vaynerchuck says “to try as many things as possible and to get into the yes business instead of the no business.”
What are your goals?
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View my 2016 – The lessons I learnt here