Where Does Time Go?

This isn't one of my usual posts. It's not about health or fitness or food or science. It's more nostalgic. More of an acknowledgment. 

Yesterday was my birthday, and it made me realise how fast this last year has gone, how fast every year has gone. 

We are all so busy working towards things, waiting for pages to turn, anticipating what's to come. The thing is, in all of this anticipation and all those countdowns, we miss out on what's happening right now. It sounds so cliché, but we all need to step back at times and just live in the moment.  

Wishing away time can make us miss out on the great everyday things that are happening right now. 

Yesterday was probably one of the best days I've ever had. I got to spend it with my boyfriend and my mum, doing all my favourite things. I didn't want the day to end. But it did, and though today I'm back at work and back to real life, at least I woke up this morning and everything was good. Everyone I care about is healthy and happy and life is pretty damn great. Sure, I'm not jetting through the Carribean on my yacht, or drinking wine all day in a vineyard somewhere in France, but life is pretty damn privileged for me. 

So before we start complaining about petty little things, remember that our right now is pretty awesome.  Let's stop wishing away work days and counting down till the holiday season.  If you're truly not happy with your right now, then do something about it. I've said it so many times before, but life is too bloody short. Our right now might just be our last right now, so make it worthwhile. 

Find the privilege in going into work every day - some people are jobless and homeless, at least we have a roof over our heads and can put food on the table. And for the same reason, make sure the food is delicious!! Remember that although we might not enjoy going to that aerobics class, at least our bodies are capable and healthy! 

It's one thing that I'm definitely trying to train myself to do - being thankful and being present. For the next 364 days I will try and stay positive, because I never know who could benefit from it, never mind myself.

So even if time does seem to pass quickly, at least I've embraced every second of it!

Happy Tuesday. 

V x  

26 Minus A Day

Tomorrow is my 26th birthday. For some reason, I've been anxious about turning 26. 26 means I'm in my late 20's. It means that I am well and truly considered an adult. And it means that, whether I like it or not, people have certain ideas of how your life should look by 26. 

But, like every true Gen Y, I'm going to throw caution to the wind and say NO THANK YOU to the ideals of being 26.  We all have to remember age is just a number, and instead of achievements like getting engaged, owning your own home, a fulfilling career; I prefer to look a life with a slightly different approach. 

These are 26 things I've learnt by the time I turn 26...

1. Family first. And if you're lucky enough to have a sibling, remember they were your first best friend.

2. Wear suncream! Not only is sun burn unsightly, it hurts and it doesn't set you up well for the later years. At best, wrinkles, at worst, I don't need to warn you about the dangers of skin cancer. 

3. Keep learning. Whether it's a university degree you're after, or learning how to bake the perfect pastry or cut the perfect bob, just keep learning.  

4. Trust your gut. It's usually right.

5. When it comes to friends, it's quality over quantity every time! 

6. Give people a second chance (this was a hard one for me to learn!!) because sometimes your initial opinion is not the right one!

6. Look after your body, it's the only one you'll ever get. Don't abuse anything, everything in moderation! 

7. Don't deny being upset. Like they say, there's no rainbow without rain.  Every now and again all we need is a good cry to feel better! 

8. Listen to what older people have to say, they've already lived it.  Their advice is better than any step-by-step guide! 

9. Do yoga. 

10. Set yourself goals, it will help keep you motivated.

11. Eating well will make you feel good about yourself, in my eyes it's a form of self respect! 

12. If you're lucky enough to find someone who you love and who loves you back, don't fuck it up.  If you haven't yet, chill and don't give up. Sometimes they're right under your nose! 

13. Champagne will make any day feel special.

14. Cuddling your pet will make you feel 200% better. 

15. Everyone should be part of a team at some point, regardless of whether its a rugby team, a chess team or a press team. It makes you friends for life, like comrades going into battle! 

16. Sometimes its better to keep your mouth shut! Not everyone wants your opinion, sometimes they just want someone to listen to them!

17. Exercise will keep you positive.

18. Crash dieting never works.

19. Love your job because you spend 80% of your waking life doing it.

20. Don't worry if your life doesn't look perfect.  It really doesn't matter what others think, as long as you're happy that's all that counts! 

21. Really see as much of the world around you as possible. Whether you're travelling far and wide, or just taking in the beautiful everyday glories around you.

22. My Mum is usually right.

23. Dark chocolate is the way to my heart.

24. Don't take anything for granted. Tomorrow it could be gone. Life's too bloody short to worry about your dress size or your salary. Live life exactly the way you see fit. You never know when it will be taken away from you, so make sure you do something every damn day that makes you smile. 

25. Find the fantastic in the ordinary and every day will be a good day.

26. We're all just wondering what the hell we're doing here! I'm just gonna try and figure it out as I go along! 

And finally something my boyfriend has learnt over the past 4 years - always make sure there are snacks close by; I take hangry to a whole new dimension! 

Happy Birthday to Me! 

V x 

Competitive Women, When Did It Become A Bad Thing?

In celebration of International Women's Day, I thought it appropriate to approach a topic I've recently had exposure to - Competitive Women.  Over the weekend I was involved in a netball tournament and got to play alongside some brilliant women to win the cup, in a tight fought, competitive final.  To myself and my team mates, this final was so incredibly important, and we were so proud of one another when we pulled together for the win. Being surrounded with like minded, sporty women, I felt 100% free to be my competitive self over the entire weekend. 

HOWEVER....maybe it's because we don't share the same passion for the sport, or have vastly different hobbies and personalities, but I have encountered many women who frown upon being competitive, and make you feel like a dork for being competitive.  I'm unsure as to whether they perceive it as un-lady-like or being aggressive, but these girls will snortle and turn their noses up to anyone acting mildly competitive.  

When I looked up the term 'competitive' I found mostly negative connotations: 

"having or displaying a strong desire to be more successful than others"

Here's where I have my issue. When did being competitive by nature, become a bad thing? Being competitive might mean that you strive to do well and succeed, it doesn't have to mean that you're happy to crush everything and everyone else in your path!   We all know that if it was a game of life or death, the most competitive would eventually win, because they would want to.  

And secondly, since when is it OK for men to be competitive (and for women to celebrate a man's competitiveness) and not for women? Aren't we just fuelling the stereotype of being the more submissive sex, relying on our male counterparts to hunt and gather for us? 

Don't get me wrong, some people are born un-competitive, they have no real desire to beat anyone else, or win any races; and that is great! Others are born with a desire to be the best at everything they put their minds to, on or off the sporting field; and that's great too.  We have to remember that being competitive doesn't mean that you want to see others fail.  I'm highly competitive when it comes to sport, but I also love to see others succeed in life.  

Being a competitive woman doesn't make you any less womanly.  Because you're happy to rumble for a ball or tackle down an opponent doesn't mean you're manly or aggressive.  Take a look at the Lioness, not only does she hunt and gather for her lion family, she also forms a tight knit female 'team' where they stick together for the good of the pride.   However, it is also known that a potential new member of a lion's pride, has more trouble being accepted if it is a SHE, as the lionesses try to keep her out....

Perhaps, if we are opposed to the competitive women around us, it is because we feel threatened by them.  And then I guess it all comes down to knocking what we're afraid of due to lack of self confidence.  Why does it always come back to that? 

In a world where stereotypes and insecurities will always cloud our judgement, I say embrace your inner lioness! If you're a competitive chick, then good on you! If you're not, then that's great too! I suppose the most important thing to remember is, as we all strive to reach the top (cause let's be honest, we all are) it's better to be surrounded by friends and teammates, than crushing people in your path and creating enemies. 

Roar ;) 

V x