Source: Design Love Fest
Despite the fact that we’re over a quarter of the way through 2015, I still feel that this post is important and relevant. It’s important not only because it represents my ‘return’ to blogging after a long nine months, but also, because I feel that 2014 was a pretty significant year.
I really like doing these ‘Year in Review’ posts. It’s obviously impossible to summarise an entire year’s worth of experiences in one post, but in musing over everything that happened, from highs to lows, you really do walk away with a sense of perspective that otherwise, can be difficult to gain. (Of course, Hollywood would tell you that spending some time with a guru at a spiritual retreat in Asia would give you the same ‘(re)finding yourself’ experience – but I digress.)
At the close of 2013, when I was reflecting over everything that had happened over the past year, there was one quote that really struck out to me.
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” – Zora Neale Hurston
2013 was a year that asked questions. There were a number of question marks in my life – there was uncertainty, apprehensiveness, self-doubt, and perhaps a little fear too.
But what about 2014? Many of the questions of 2013 were answered in 2014, some in ways I had never imagined. At the same time though, I came to understand the value of being asked these kind of questions. Your life isn’t and shouldn’t be dictated by the expectations others have towards themselves, or the expectations others have for you. You don’t have to have everything ‘figured out’ before you finish university and step into the ‘real’ world. You don’t need to give an interesting, convincing yet realistic answer to the much dreaded ‘where do you see yourself in five years time’ question.
For me, 2014 was such an exciting and fulfilling year. It was a year where I really challenged myself both mentally and physically, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and wholeheartedly embraced new ideas, experiences and opportunities. I can’t emphasise how important it is to simply say ‘YES!’ sometimes. Say yes to opportunities that will broaden your mind. Say yes to applying for jobs that you (for some reason or another) feel that you’re not good enough for. Say yes to meeting new people. Say yes to coffee/dinner/drinks with people who are different – people who are outside your immediate social circle. Say yes to listening to different perspectives on life and ideas about the world. Say yes to travelling. And say yes even when a little voice in your head is saying ‘maybe’… or asking ‘what if’.
Here’s to the rest of 2015!
away with b 