Toot, Toot...

January 4th - What is your best memory of last year?

Last year already seems like a lifetime ago. My favourite memory, probably not a specific memory as such. My favourite moments last year were those quiet moments at home, with close friends, my family, and especially those precious days when my partner, my daughter and I get to spend time together as a family. The days filled with love and laughter and easy afternoons that turn into evenings and late night chats. I hope 2014 is filled with many more memories like that.


January 5th - What is the last major accomplishment you had?

Aside from getting into uni recently, I would have to say that starting this blog has been a major accomplishment. I'm really beginning to enjoy writing on here, and although it still scares me that someone is reading my word vomit, for the moment the only people who know this little old blog exists are people I feel safe talking to anyway. It's a big deal for me to share openly; I've learned over the years that over sharing is not okay socially, and I've probably gone a little too far in being reserved. When I was younger (by 'younger', I mean probably three-to-five years ago), there was a version of myself that I presented to the world. It wasn't too far from who I am, but it certainly was a more toned down version of. Having said that, only aspects of my personality were toned down. Others were played upon and over compensated for, like my 'outgoing, bubbly personality'. This was a learned behaviour, to overcompensate for my shyness and social anxiety. It worked, probably too well, because it meant that during those periods when I did need my space and my downtime, I had to fight to get it. People would think there was something wrong with me, and I would often be guilted into doing things I didn't want to, or feel like doing. But I digress; my major accomplishment would be allowing myself to be who I am, without being apologetic or hiding certain aspects of me, and sharing that self willingly with people, albeit strangers.


January 6th - What possession could you not live without?

I honestly don't hold much stead with valuing possessions. I prize many of my possessions, but in terms of not being able to live without any of them, I don't think I could pinpoint anything. If this is a 'the-house-is-on-fire-and-you-can-only-take-one-thing' scenario, it would probably by the computer, but only because it contains every photo I've ever taken of my daughter since she was born. I could live without it, but I'd be devastated. (Although luckily, I've backed myself up a little there by supplying our immediate families with a fast and steady supply of framed photos hah).


January 7th - Can people change?

No, I don't think so. That being said, I think it is easy for people to change your perception of them. To believe that people are capable of change on a fundamental level is naive. Every person has it within them to be a good person, or a bad person, sometimes (often) both. There is nobody alive who does not have negative traits. I think what is important is to make a conscious choice to amplify those traits that you view as valuable. If you choose to focus on what is good about yourself, you can change the way that you behave, and the manner in which you are perceived by others, but you still have the capability to behave badly. The difference is that you choose not to. I think that is what is most amazing about people. Each and every one of us has the capability to do a complete turn around; but we also have the ability to flip back again. Will power and self control are the hardest virtues to master, in my opinion. I know I struggle with them every day.

Love, me x