So I have been incredibly slack lately. I wish I could say I have been
extremely busy and will be posting about all the amazing things I’ve been doing,
but I haven’t. Basically I have been overloaded with school work and have 4
internal assessments due within the same week, which is driving me nuts. During
all of this craziness I managed to find time to go to one of my favourite
events of the year, which is the Chinese Lantern Festival. In Auckland City,
they decorate the whole of Albert Park with lanterns. They place them
everywhere possible, in fountains, dangling from the trees and over the paths.
It is so beautiful, my photos don’t do it justice. If you live in Auckland and
ever think of going, I definitely recommend that you check it out. Basically it
marks the New Year that starts in China, and I decided seeing as my New Year’s
Resolutions failed as per usual I figured I would set the Chinese New Year as
my start of New Beginnings and New things.
The first one is one I have been intending to do since I started high
school yet have never had the motivation to start. Get Involved. When I started
College everyone enthused to me how I should ‘be a part of as many things as
you can’, and ‘sign up for lots of things!’. I’ve always looked past what
they’ve said and thought ‘yeah, yeah who really has time to do all this’, and
I’ve realised that it’s not particularly difficult to ‘make time’ for things
that are important. I seem to have realised that you really do get out, what
you put in (if that makes sense). In short I think if you put in a lot of
effort to get involved and try new things you will get so much out of it like
good experiences, new friends and new skills you may have otherwise never
gained.
I have only been doing these new things and already been able to meet
and get to know some amazing people who have already had such a huge impact on
my life. I also feel having doing more things I have a tonne more energy and
look forward to my day, instead of praying something would be cancelled or that
I didn’t have to get out of bed in the morning.
Another thing I’ve been aiming to do, that I’m sure 99% of people aim
to do, is to go to the gym more. Now, like all humans on the planet I have
given myself the typical tasks of ‘eating healthy’ and ‘going to the gym more’
etc. I’m not prepared to comment on the healthy eating part (Thanks Tasman for
getting me hooked on banana cake again, which has been breaking me out, but is
still TO DIE FOR) but as the gym part goes I really do feel I am getting the
benefits of going again. Sure, whilst doing classes or any physical recreation
you are pushing yourself hard at you feel like your legs are going to fall off
and your arms will NEVER feel normal again, and the next day every stair you
climb hurts 10x more than the last, every time you sneeze your abs burn. But it
can only get easier right? Exercise is not only good for the body, but it is
truly GREAT for the mind. I have never before regretted going to the gym but I
have often regretted NOT going.
Another thought that does kind of fit with my ‘socialising goal’ but
does deserve its own goal, is to say ‘YES’ more. I know this seems awfully
simple but it sometimes really is a problem when sometimes your iPad loves you
more than your friends and there’s an 8hr Keeping up with the Kardashians
marathon on. Really though, sometimes it is easier to just stay in and not
bother about leaving your cosy room and going out to socialise with people and
know that there is a risk of being out of your comfort zone or put in an
awkward situation. When I really think about it though most of the time I have
been talked into going out I have thoroughly enjoyed it and was so glad that I
went. Since I’ve started saying ‘yes’ to more things I’ve gotten to meet new
people and even been able to catch up with people I otherwise would’ve never
seen.
In a way all of my Resolutions link together and If I start by
achieving one, It will help me to achieve them all. Like since I have been
doing more exercise, like going to the gym, I feel more confident and like I
have a lot more energy. Seeing as I feel more confident and have more energy I
can sign up for more things and get involved in more sports. Getting more
involved has introduced me to many new people and I have made so many new
relationships and built stronger bonds with people from different groups. Since
I’ve been friendly with different groups I have been invited to more things and
been given the opportunity to socialise more and say YES to more things.
So If you are ever thinking or procrastinating about making changes in
your life, starting in one aspect of your life can greatly influence others and
you’ll never look back.
Talk to you soon
- ellaarosee