Consumed

Posted on by Greta

Most of you will agree that feeling underprepared is not a great feeling.

Unprepared, underprepared, unawares, however you choose to say it; it essentially means the same thing – not quite prepared and maybe even caught by surprise.

Whether it’s an occasion, an event, a sporting game or a meeting – being underprepared is not ideal for anyone.

Staying on top of things

It happened to me recently. Of course, it happens often in day to day life, but I usually try to stay on top of things as best I can. I was finishing up a meeting with a co-worker when he began asking about my next meeting, that I had been called to attend at last minute notice.

I answered his questions as best I could, he was curious and wanted to know what the meeting was about. He smirked and joked that I hadn’t done my homework. I smiled and looked down because I knew that that wasn’t entirely true – I knew the focus of the meeting, but I hadn’t completely readied myself for the discussion that would follow.

I had done all the pre-reading earlier in the week, but it was a lot of new information and some of it was still sinking in.

I should have almost expected to be called in to the meeting, then I would have been more prepared.

But I wasn’t.

Realisations

And did I stuff up in the meeting? I don’t think so, no. I may not have had much to say but I took a lot of notes as this is how I tend to absorb information.

Lately, I have been thinking that this is something I need to stop doing.

There is so much advice out there about being present and living in the moment. I need to learn to trust myself, trust that I know what is going on and be comfortable in knowing that I don’t always need to take a mountain of seemingly unnecessary notes.

If I am asked a question after a meeting, I most often go from what I remember anyway, I rarely refer to my notes.

So, I’m going to stop taking as many notes in the meetings I attend.

Once I am clear that I do understand what is going on – because I understand people and relationships to some extent, I will just sit back and listen. I think when I allow myself to do this, and to be fully immersed in discussion, I will add more value.

I mean, I don’t take notes when discussing what my friend is up to on the weekend or when I ask how her work is going. I just remember what she says and offer expressions and/or advice. Sometimes I forget, and that is okay.

We don’t always need to remember everything.

I almost makes me nervous – not to take notes. It has become the way I work – it’s just what I do.

But I need to let go of my fear of missing something. Because realistically, I am missing what’s happening right in front of me. I am missing the passion, the fight, the belief in what people are saying and really this is not what I ever wanted to do.

I never thought the day would come when I would say this, but I think my notes are consuming me, and I really need to stop and allow myself to live in the moment.

The vivid lens of travel

Posted on by Greta

I love that travel really makes me think.

I’m glad we went to America when we did this year because it helped me see things for what they were. I had a fantastic three weeks away with my favourite travel partner – my husband. Our trip was action packed and we saw so many magnificent things.

On the plane over there I thought about my core values in life. After some time, I came to the conclusion that happiness, honesty and direction are what keep me going. If one of these is lacking, I feel off centre, and spend a large chunk of my time trying to regain my balance. I know that by putting in the effort and going after what I want, they can all be achieved.

In this post I’m going to break these values down and look at how taking time from day to day life to explore somewhere new affected my thought process and overall mood.

Happiness

Traveling generally makes people happy. While traveling, we are constantly learning, challenging ourselves with our surroundings and keeping ourselves busy. We are trying new food, seeing how different cultures interact and opening our minds to somewhere completely new. It is a feeling of freedom that you don’t get at home, because at every corner, there will be something new and untouched. One of my favourite things to do is to try out as many different restaurants as I can because this is the perfect way to get a sense of the culture. And who doesn’t feel happy while eating a tasty local feed? No matter what the cuisine, each suburb, town or country has their own unique flavour that stays with you for a long time.

Honesty

Travel reveals an honesty to both yourself and to your travel companion, and in discovering what is around you. There is nothing more genuine than spending every waking hour (almost) with one person and learning more about them. Finding mutual ground can feel as though it might be a struggle but, this can be avoided by removing all barriers and opening up. We all have our moments, whether we are tired, hungry, cold, hot or confused, sometimes we are not the best version of ourselves. When you have found that travel partner or group that allows you to discover a new world in your own time, is when you have allowed yourself to experience a form of honesty that doesn’t happen at home.

Direction

Traveling makes you think about where you are headed to next. Usually, you go with some sort of a plan about what you want to see, what you want to do, and how you are going to do it. You may also be left considering your direction (or lack of) back at home. What are you doing with your life and how is it helping you achieve our goals? Are you happy? Is there anything immediate you can do to change your situation? Being in a new environment allows for a fresh perspective on something that you may not think about back at home. Are you happy in your current situation? Are you satisfied with the amount of time you spend with your friends and/or family?

These values have become increasingly important to me over the last few years, and I have been able to appreciate them through the vivid lens of travel. Without happiness, there would be no energy to put into my goals. Without honesty there would be no clarity. Without direction there would be no vision.

So think about what is really important to you and how this can be brought out because active thinking can help you in more ways than one.

Whether the best way for you to consider your core values is through travel or something else, I encourage you to find out as soon as you can.

The Alter Ego

Posted on by Greta

I think a lot of us have an alter ego that, when unleashed, allows us to become a different version of ourselves.

If you have a full-time job but always hoped for something different, you may create an alter ego for a persona to develop within your limited space.

Alter egos can be the ideal way to release a new character that you feel is trapped within. To be someone that you’re not usually, to relax, to feel different and have fun.

Your alter ego may do something that you think about all the time but that you don’t feel comfortable actually doing.

I recently read about a famous alter ego in The American Way, on a flight from Las Vegas to New York. ‘Awkwafina’ was someone that I had never heard of before. It was a fantastic article about the alter ego she created for herself to help her get out of an ordinary job and to unleash a creative side of hers.

Some theories suggest that alter egos belong only to those who have a high level of self-worth but who feel that they are not revealing their full potential by only showing the world one side.

Alter egos can be a wonderful outlet for people who are often considered ‘fence sitters’. Alter egos make decisions; alter egos take action.

An alter ego is often created to compensate for someone who thinks they are not outgoing and that they have a wild side that others are yet to learn about and if that ego goes out of control; things have gone too far.

Alter egos can be wild. They can be trouble.

It gets dangerous when it becomes a game of attention. When someone is striving to be noticed, above and beyond the rest, things can get nasty.

The ego is an interesting concept. You never hear of alter egos that are quieter than the individual that concocts them, do you? Because an altered ego only suggests that it is altered to an extreme level of ability.

If you have concocted an alter ego to show the world who you really are, is it really an ‘altered’ version of yourself or is it just you?

If anyone would like to comment, please do and we can figure this one out together!

Life is recycled

Posted on by Greta

Many aspects of our lives have always been recycled and a particular object or building may have a great history, whether it is known to the new owner or not. Other aspects of our recycled culture are new and quite interesting as they present many environmental concerns.

Whether it is homes, cars, clothes, food scraps, jobs or previous partners, there is an emerging need to recycle everything in life.

Some things we recycle have always been that way – they present an undeniable recycling truth.

Take a home for instance. Homes are recycled time and time again and sometimes transformed drastically before the next round of recycling begins.

I am quite comfortable in the house I live in at the moment but when I think of how many people have been happy here before me, I wonder exactly what they loved most, and what they changed to suit themselves better.

Second hand cars make perfect sense. If a car is in good condition but the owner has outgrown it, why not sell it to someone who it suits more?

Recycled clothes are also exciting. Trash or treasure, the fact that these clothes once belonged to someone else may make the new wearer curious about the stories they contain. Did someone outgrow them, get tired of them or have to get rid of them for another reason altogether?

I have gotten better at reducing wastage of clothes and shoes over the years. I try to just buy what I need and make do with what I’ve got.

Minimising food wastage has become a necessary trend in today’s dining scene, and when preparing food at home. Most of us recycle leftover food and many of us use every bit of a vegetable when cooking, including the peel, sprouts and leaves.

Jobs are another interesting element of life that is recycled, especially when the modern workplace is so volatile, and knowledge is readily available.

A person may finish a job that they fitted well, that they had adapted to suit their skills and their life. When the person leaves, and a new person comes along, they will bring new ideas and a slightly different skill set, so the role may be adapted again to suit the new person.

Of course, this doesn’t happen everywhere. Many professions are black and white. It is clear what is expected each day and tasks may be somewhat repetitive. The people encountered on a day to day basis require the same amount of effort and the priorities rarely change.

I am certainly not underestimating the vital role such positions play but I’m not sure I could stay in a job like that for long.

One last topic I want to consider is the recycling of partners. Sure, there are some people who settle down with the first person they meet but most of us have had past relationships. We have all created different memories with another person, shared different jokes and been to different places together.

I think when it comes to recycling, people are the most difficult. Finding someone ideal for a job or finding a new partner or friend will always mean that the replacement has a shadow to fill.

When this shadow is filled, and a similar pattern of behaviours begin to occur, it can be decided if it fits.

People may be the most difficult to recycle, but they are not the biggest problem.

With waste management so topical today, I think it is important for this issue to remain front of mind.

We have it instilled upon us that waste is bad, which is a good mentality to have.

But most of us are guilty of creating unnecessary waste.

The first thing I am going to stop buying is coffee pods. These add up quickly and are not easily recycled and when there are so many other options available, it makes perfect sense to cut them out of my life. But the convenience of popping a coffee pod each morning is what makes me still use them. In minutes I have a delicious cup of short coffee to enjoy with my breakfast.

If we step back and allow ourselves to become slightly less self-absorbed and think about the real issues at stake, we can consciously make an effort to do something about it and reduce (or recycle) waste whenever possible.

That’s it, no more coffee pods for me!

Looking out for new ideas and bright colours

Posted on by Greta

I enjoy so many different aspects to culture, whether it be the most recent art or exhibition, an up and coming hangout, or the best place to grab a bite to eat. It makes me happy that I live in a city like Melbourne, with so much to offer.

Culture is everything that surrounds you at any given point in time. I enjoy watching people and taking in how they dress, walk, what they are doing and what they are talking about. I like to see how they do ‘them’.

As many of you already know, I enjoy attending the odd exhibition. I posted about MoMA at the NGV on my other blog and am looking forward to my next trip to the gallery already. If anyone has any recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

I also loooove eating out. Whether it’s a lunch break at work, catching up with friends in the city or going out for dinner in the suburbs with my husband. A city like Melbourne is always alive with its plentiful laneways and never-ending choice of places to dine.

Morning peak hour is one of my favourite times, as everyone is rushing around to do whatever it is they need to do that day, and everyone’s days are so unique.

I try to get a fair distance covered before I reach the office, as walking clears my head and helps prepare me for my workday because, as I’m sure you will appreciate – there is just so much to think about!

But having an active mind and being busy has its upsides. Some people find that keeping themselves busy ensures that they prioritise effectively and don’t dwell on things for excessive periods of time. Our overall happiness often comes down to the way in which we operate when we are busy.

On my way to work, I watch the people I pass and think about what may inspire their lives; what gets them out of bed every day. I like to see the different styles, from bright coats to chic hats to faux fur or platform shoes.

I’m not rushing to judge these people, I just find it interesting. I really just look out for things I like, new ideas and bright colours.

Crazy and adventurous or plain and simple, whatever you prefer.

I also really enjoy my coffee and Melbourne is one of the best cities in the world for people who love coffee. It’s so easy to find a cosy café to sip your favourite beverage in, while staring out of the window, or scrolling through your Twitter feed. It is refreshing to be around others who enjoy the beverage as much as I do.

While Melbourne is smaller than other comparable cities such as New York and London, and even Sydney, the cultural significance that this city has to offer is hard to find elsewhere.

The people, the food and the coffee are aspects of culture that stand out here and continue to ensure this city is still entirely liveable for me and many others.

The little things

Posted on by Greta

The little things in life are often what makes us happiest.

Offering your train seat to someone in need, watching your dog run around for no apparent reason, reading a friendly comment on your blog post or learning something new from an article you read online.

None of these things are immediately life changing, but each of them involves another creature’s happiness. It is our interactions that make us smile, feel special and give us something to look forward to.

Last week on the train to work I gave up my seat to a woman who asked for it. I got up out of my seat straight away and she thanked me. She was older than me but didn’t look as though she desperately needed a seat, but what do I know? I watched as she took out her phone to play a game and wondered if she actually needed the seat or just wanted to play her game in comfort. Either way, I felt good about myself. Maybe a little bit cheated, but I knew I had done the right thing.

A pet brings a special feeling of joy to life. You have a special companion to come home to each day; someone who will listen to you without offering advice; someone whose mood may be lifted by something as simple as being let inside when it’s cold. Owners and their animals share a unique bond; a relationship of inspiration and encouragement.

Now I may sound a bit biased, but my dog is the best. I just watched him as he ran around our front yard, wagging his tail with his tongue flapping about simply because he felt like it. Or maybe he thought I was going to chase him. When I didn’t chase him, he didn’t mind, just went about sniffing the rose bushes and foraging in the mulch. Whenever we get the chance to take him to the beach, we run with him along the sand and he genuinely looks like he is having the best time in his life. His excitement is contagious.

It is always uplifting to receive a (positive) response to something you’ve done. Feedback is what keeps us going, keeps us energised and reminds us of why we do what we do. It propels us to excel and drives us achieve. Even negative feedback can be good, if taken constructively and used to shape future decisions or actions. If we don’t know what we are doing wrong, how are we supposed to improve?

I love reading, writing and thinking. Each day I am excited to learn what people are reading and writing about. I like to see what opinions are out there, so I scroll through my feeds and click on anything of interest (this usually takes some time). I like to see what people are doing with their blogs, what the latest ideas are, finding out who the next young entrepreneur is and reading all about their success. Reading is (obviously) engaging and allows us to view things from a different perspective.

I began by classifying these as ‘little things’ but now I’m not so sure that I would classify them as ‘little’. These actions and emotions are part of everyday life and should not be underestimated. To remain happy; to remain satisfied; it is important that we recognise the cause of our happiness, to ensure that we keep doing whatever it is that we are doing.

So, tell me, what are the little things in your life?

L I V E A B L E

Posted on by Greta

Last week I learned that Vienna is now the world’s most liveable city.

Melbourne was bumped down a spot after 7 years at the top, which I am not overly upset about, but this news got me thinking; what constitutes the world’s most liveable city?

A Google search lead me to a report, ‘The Global Liveability Index’, and I quickly learned of the ‘Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’, an organisation which provides country, risk and industry analysis.

In a world that is rapidly changing, it seems strange that the EIU only conduct this specific ‘liveability’ analysis once a year.

It is also interesting that there are only four countries featured in the top ten, maybe the EUI should create a rule that the same country cannot be featured more than once in the top ten, or at least in the top five.

  1. Vienna
  2. Melbourne
  3. Osaka
  4. Calgary
  5. Sydney
  6. Vancouver
  7. Toronto
  8. Tokyo
  9. Copenhagen
  10. Adelaide

Japan is top pick out of Asian countries, which is somewhat understandable. The craziness of Siem Reap (Cambodia), Bangkok (Thailand) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) leave these developing cities out of the top ten, which almost makes me wonder why the EIU doesn’t split the list up with a ‘developing’ or ‘developed’ criteria?

These cities and the countries they reside in have taught so many travellers more about the world than they may ever learn in a developed area.

Watching people go about their day to day lives in these foreign lands is so different to what most of us know. Travelling to these countries allows for levels of personal development that can not be achieved elsewhere.

But as travellers, do we really need an annual report to tell us where we should flock to next, or could this report be more useful?

I can tell you that I have never witnessed the value of humility to such an extreme in any developed country that I have been to so far.

To put this value into perspective, let’s talk about children. We all know that kids have an innocence that allows their imagination to run wild.

But many children are not in an environment where they learn humility quickly.

Take a child to Vietnam, they will see things that they have never imagined; people cooking food in the streets, busy markets, scooters transporting a room full of furniture and a family of four, flooded streets and people with masks protecting their faces from the fumes.

Or, choose the safe road and take a child to Los Angeles, where they will still be amazed at what they see, just not in the same way.

So, let’s shake things up a little, step outside of our comfort zone. Because we need to give as much support as we can to these incredible countries and show people just how special they are.

These countries need as much as we can give them.

Coffee and self-control

Posted on by Greta

I think coffee is delightful.

I am delighted just thinking about it.

But we, as curious creatures absorb copious amounts of information every day, some of which may lead us to believe otherwise.

It is known that when consumed in excess, coffee can have a negative effect on the body.

But to me it seems that as long as you are in control of your coffee intake, and that it does not exceed an amount which cause physical strain on your body, then coffee is okay.

But coffee, or caffeine, is addictive.

Every day, I have one, two or (rarely) three cups of coffee. I love it. And I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.

I have gone through periods of time when I have tried to cut back. It does seem unnecessary to have more than two a day, especially if I’m paying for it.

I have an espresso with my breakfast and another one (either a long black or flat white) later in the morning.

I enjoy sipping my espresso while carefully my breakfast each morning. I like to think as I eat, about what the day may bring. When I get to work, it’s great to step out of the office, into the fresh air and engage in conversation with a colleague who may accompany you, or a barista.

A common feeling for coffee drinkers is that the barista-consumer relationship may have gone too far.

I used to religiously have a long black on my way in to work. I would get another coffee mid-morning and maybe another at lunch. I used to go to the same shop for my pre-work coffee every day. It was good coffee, friendly service and not too far out of my way.

But, I like to mix things up a bit more now. I do have my favourites, but they have learned not to expect me.

It’s kind of creepy when they expect you.

Same time, same coffee, every day. They know your order, your dogs name, where you work, your family situation and other crucial bits of information carefully gathered to build rapport.

Some people love it, but I would say it is almost confronting.

I have read (on more than one occasion) recently that amazing things happen when we stop having coffee. We can sleep better, concentrate better and our moods change.

It makes me second guess my much-loved past time. But let’s be honest, I have tried to cut back on many occasions, and I wasn’t successful.

If you enjoy something, and it does not pose an immediate effect to your health, then why give it up?

For me it’s about self-control. I don’t want coffee to think that I can’t resist it.
So, every now and then I take time out from coffee. Whether it lasts a few days or a few weeks, I am yet to see a noticeable difference in my capacity to operate. I thought coffee made us more alert anyway?

So much information coming at us from so many different sources can sometimes feel overwhelming. Especially when you have not had your morning coffee.
Coffee makes me happy.

And it’s important to do what makes you happy. Drink your coffee, or your decaf, or none at all.

Saying this though, I would be interested to hear first-hand from an ex-coffee addict, what did you notice when you cut it out?

There is no point giving up

Posted on by Greta

Last week I read two completely different opinions, from the same publication which sort of threw me.

The first article I read was this one, discouraging people from spending too much time on a side project that might not work out.

I was only slightly discouraged, but the words stayed in my mind until I was on the train home from work. I thought about what would happen if I gave up? What would be the point giving up? Writing, editing and content marketing is what I love doing so if I’m spending time outside of my ‘proper’, more stable job trying to make a living out of it, what harm could this be causing?

Sure, I may be a tiny bit obsessed with my computer and my husband may not see me much after dinner but at least I have something to keep me occupied. Not only occupied but intellectually stimulated. How’s that compared to sitting in front of the TV each night?

The second article was much more uplifting and focused on the reason that everyone needs a side project, even if they are not in a place to fully let go of their full time job. It sat much better with me as my mind turned to the blog post I would be writing that night.

I get that there is a need to be realistic in a world where every Jane, Beth and Sam want to begin a living on their own terms, to be their own boss. But there is a fine line between being honest and being discouraging.

I, or anyone working on a side project at home should never feel like it will ultimately be a waste of time.

I found the second article inspiring, encouraging and even helpful. It explained that having a project to work on in your own time allows for a high level of personal development that would not always occur in a ‘normal’ workplace, when working for someone else.

I am not saying that a side project or ‘side hustle’ is for everyone. There is absolutely no need to begin a side hustle if you are content with your current situation.

But if there is something other than your current job that piques your interest, why not give it a go?

And don’t forget to let me know about your progress!