On Sunday I got a text from my mum with some photos of a cute little kitten. The kitten was in need of a new home, since the family was allergic to cats. My cat heart started bleeding, I would take in all the cats in need if I could. Since one of our old cats always is out on adventure the other one is kind of lonely. I decided we should give it a try with this little one. So we got her! She purrs all the time when we're near and has now figured out that Gottfried, the old cat, isn't a bad guy. They're even sleeping in our bed right now, both of them. Let me just tell you that I really enjoy being at home studying now. (Upgrade the quality to HD!)
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It's 9 pm, this is the first time today I've had time to relax and do something for myself. This day has been one of a kind. Not like most other days for me.
This weekend I've spent a much time as possible studying. I didn't allow myself a lot more than the most necessary, except for that dinner Saturday evening, because I've had to study. And that is certainly not like me. I'm the best at taking time to relax when I have an exam coming up. But it paid off. I had the exam this morning and it felt good. It felt so good to be so prepared that I couldn't wait to start writing it. I actually enjoyed writing it, I never thought that would occur. I'm so tired I don't even know what I want to write anymore. I guess I'll have to wind down a bit before going to bed. Take some time to get a good cup of tea. Spent yesterday evening at a dinner with some very dear friends. Great food, discussions and the autumn darkness gathering around the house. Candles burning and warming us as the night came crawling.
We were asked a question: "What one thing would you like to add to your life?" When you really think about it, what is it that you need, that would bring a new dimension to your life? The answers that came varied, from courage to time and not having to care about money. But one of the answers got me thinking, to be present, to actually listen and be there for the ones around us. It's too often we don't listen, we zoom out for a bit whilst someone is talking and telling their story. And it's so sad that we are unable to focus on another person without having to think about the next thing we can add to a discussion that is about ourselves. The thing is, we all have a longing to be heard, to be seen and taken seriously. But that won't happen as long as we can't listen to anyone else without interrupting. We hide ourselves too much behind screens these days, our phones are always present which leads to us being not present. I am constantly challenging myself to not have my phone with me on the table when I have a cup of tea with someone. This way I don't even have a chance to be distracted by it. It will give you so much more if you actually listen and care about the people around you. I am so torn. I want to write, and have a good platform for it. For some reason I keep on coming back here even though I've tried to get some other place to free my mind. Maybe I should just keep on going with this site.
There is something liberating in writing down your thoughts. I've recently started keeping a diary again. My mind, which is always full of thoughts, can finally breath once I've scribbled down a few lines. It seems I need this, maybe more than I want to admit. My mind needs words. Both taking in the written word and making my own, a way of creativity and clearing the mind. I've struggled with stress quite a lot these last four years. This has taken the shape of stomach problems, eczemas and fatigue. Maybe a way of dealing with stress would be to get my thoughts out of me? I think it would be worth a shot. And it might get me closer to a dream I have of one day writing a book. I need to become better at listening to my own body and the signs it's giving me. And daring to dream. I have so many dreams that I want to come true one day. If I don't do something about it they never will come true. Last week I made a rather radical change to my hair. For years I've had it long now, and even though I liked it I thought it was time for a change. On and off my Google searches has contained a lot of shorter hairstyles. And I felt like I wanted to do it, but still lacked the courage. Until I reached the point where I absolutely disliked my long hair. It was always in the way and getting stuck everywhere. Because my hair is quite thick it got heavy and caused a lot of headaches when kept in a ponytail. Let's just say I hated it, and couldn't wait for a change. Imagine the relief when I finally went to the hair salon and got the cut I've been prepping for for such a long time. It was about time! Now I'm absolutely in love with my new hair! It's light and falls beautifully. It still takes some time to air dry, but not hours like before. And the best part is that I actually feel like I look good again! What a change a haircut can make.
You know that feeling we sometimes get when looking back at a day, wondering what you've accomplished and where the day went. I have it too often! It's a wonder I ever get things done I think. But I want it to change. So I'm starting with baby steps in the direction towards an organised life.
1. I have started drinking lemon water during the days when I'm working and studying. It's such an easy thing to do, but somehow it works. I feel much more awake and fresh, which makes me want to get things done. 2. I have started organising a sort of office for me at home. A place for my computer and for my projects. Otherwise they're all over the house, with no real place. I hope this will get me feeling more organised and willing to do stuff. 3. I've made a monthly calender to keep on the wall next to my desk. This will help me get an overview of the month and everything that needs to me done. Because of that I hope I won't get surprise deadlines. Unfortunately my office isn't ready yet, I need to get a few things for it to be finished, such as a lamp (it's so dark here right now). But when it's done I'll show it, and hopefully it will inspire someone else to get organised. Do you have any tips on how to get things done? Please tell me, I need all the help I can get! One of my favourite pieces of furniture is this sideboard. I found it many years ago in an old sort of relatives attic. Somehow I fell in love with it instantly, and it was mine from that moment. We haven't had any space for it now for a couple of years. And I have been longing for the day when I could bring it back into my life. A couple of weeks ago we decided to rearrange our upstairs area. And with that, a possibility came for it to move in. I'm so thrilled to have it back. What I love about it is the possibility to hide stuff you don't want visible at all times. Now it hold all our DVD:s, which I never liked having out in the open. Not that they're bad, we have a really good collection, but there are too many films for them to ever look good on shelves.
Who could have known all those years ago that this would turn into such a beloved item. Happy Monday! Hope you all are having a great start to the week. I'm actually really excited about this week, I'm usually not. I'm the kind of person who likes weekends and days of reading and taking it slow. Maybe there's a change coming my way? Who knows.
Today I decided to go back to my studies after the break. The trouble is when you pretty much decide your schedule yourself and you're a lazy person. Not the best combination. However, today felt different. Perhaps it had something to do with the start of the day. It wasn't much, but sometimes it doesn't take much to pick you up. What got me in an inspiring mode was something as little as an understanding mail by one of my teachers. I don't want to write clichés, but honestly imagine all the small things that can bring joy to another. All the simple things. That was at least what I needed to bring back my study motivation. One can simply not resist going out for a short walk in the kind of weather it was today. When we woke up it was freezing minus 28 C outside. My car didn't start and the cats did everything in their power to not have to go out. What a start of a day. After work, since it was still light outside, we decided to go for a walk. All the clothes we could find we put on, kind of felt like Joey in Friends, and out we went. It didn't take much to make you loose the senses in fingertips and nose. But it was worth it. It's always so beautiful when it's cold outside. And the feeling when you get in and get to warm yourself by the fire. Priceless!
It's time to get back to reality after the Christmas holiday. Which actually is a bit odd, since I'm still spending the majority of my time at home studying. But hopefully some sort of routines might come of it. I am one of the worst procrastinators the world has seen, that might be a challenge when you're supposed to work from home.
However, some snow has finally arrived to brighten our days. The darkness of the last weeks has taken a toll on me. Tiredness has taken over, and our track of time left with it. Troubles of getting to sleep even though it's been dark for hours. How is it that every year it's the same? How do we never learn? It seems like people are surprised every single year. Like we forget about it as soon as the sunbeams of spring arrive. Now is the time to enjoy the fact that each day gets longer. Hurray! |