Confessions of a 'Yes' Girl

I have this terrible affliction, and anyone who knows me would have at one point been on the receiving end. I like to say yes to everything. Let me stop you before you think 'oh good for her, she is adventurous and spontaneous'... um NO. I like to think that I am this carefree and nonchalant individual who seizes every opportunity, but I seldom follow through and it's such a problem in my life. Tell me I'm not the only one!

When I'm gone

As some of you may know, I have only 2 months left in South Africa before I leave to teach English in Thailand, and thereafter travel around Asia as I have always wanted. Having this brief time left with my family and friends has really made me think about my priorities, and how they could inevitably change while I am in a foreign and unfamiliar country.

I didn't write out a list of resolutions for the new year as most do, its not really my style. I thought I would instead make a list of priorities to remind myself of whilst I am in Thailand.

Create the life you want

Any individual can choose the life that they want by having the right mindset and a positive attitude. 'Lifestyle design' is a concept made famous by Timothy Ferris, who delves into a world where you do not have to sit in front of a computer screen in a white-walled office everyday of your life to be successful. I could not agree more, and since finishing my degree and dipping my toe into the corporate world, I realised that I want anything but that office bound life, and I will do anything to avoid it.

Here is my point. You work 40+ hours, 5 days a week with only 2 weeks leave in a year where you can actually look forward to having a break or going on holiday. Weekends are usually spent running errands, cooking and finishing work you couldn't get done during the week. Before you know it, it's Monday again and you are back at your desk, with the only ambiance being telephones ringing and the smell of cheap coffee. A promotion or a salary boost is nowhere in site, and you feel that your hard work goes unnoticed the majority of the time. All you are really waiting for, and saving up for, and longing for is the moment you can retire at the age of 60 or so and take your life back. Sound familiar? What kind of life is that?

If you are one of those lucky few that actually enjoy their chosen career, take pride in their work and gain fulfilment through their contribution to society...this post is not for you.

Lets be kids

In so many ways adults are fixated on being adults. We don't have time for childish endeavors, we don't have the patience to play around or be silly. I shudder to think what a gloomy and depressing world it would be if there were no children! What I have decided is that if you bring certain characteristics of a child into parts of your own life, it will actually bring about positive changes. These are the ways in which adults could benefit from using child-like qualities to remind ourselves how exciting and delightful this world actually is.

Tips for Summer weight loss

It is officially summer time and what better reminder to start looking after yourself than muffin tops and cellulite Sally! I have been on my own lil weight loss journey since putting on weight over December/January a year ago. This was due to a bad reaction to 'the pill' and eating and drinking too much over the festive season (I can't blame it all on the pill you guys).

Why being in a relationship is awesome

I was recently unfortunate enough to have been included in a conversation between a few select males about being unfaithful in their relationships due to boredom. They informed me that cheating is something that most men and women do at some point in a relationship, or at least think about doing, and that I am ignorant if I think otherwise.

Chivalry is NOT dead

I constantly hear complaints from women about chivalry being a thing of the past, and men not treating women the way they used to. What I would like to point out is that women are in fact allowing this to happen without even realising. Our expectations are lowering by the day...

Take my car, test my strength

On Valentines Day, February the 14th 2012, I was hijacked. I thought long and hard before writing this blog post because it was a very painful experience for me. Only a few friends and family up until this point know what happened that night, but I thought this would be an opportunity to advise others, especially young girls such as myself, in a positive and helpful way.

Why girls take so long to get ready

I am pretty sure that the average guy has had his time waiting for a girl to get ready, whether it's a mother, sister or girlfriend. Yes I hear you, its irritating and frustrating and sometimes results in an argument or being late. Why, you ask, do girls take so long to get ready? Well let me break it down for you in the simplest and most polite way.

My Bucket List

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”- Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook

I have decided to share my personal bucket list after years of adding on and scratching off, altering and rewriting, losing and forgetting. The poor list has been through a lot as I've got older and my dreams and goals have changed along with me.

If you are reading this, write your own meaningful bucket list and keep it with you as a constant reminder of how full and exciting your life can be. What's the use of writing the bucket list if not to actually cross everything off at one point?

What are you on this earth to do? That is the biggest question you can ask yourself. Everything in life is a pattern to your purpose. The mistakes we experience, the decisions we make, the way we choose to spend our time each day, prepares us for what we are able to achieve. Therefore the more we experience, the more we challenge ourselves, the closer we get to finding that purpose.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of work, responsibilities and routine, but whenever you can, put your mind towards a future goal even if that means working on it bit by bit. With this life we are given, we must find our purpose and fulfill what it is we think we are here to do. It really isn't that complicated, and things always have a way of working out when you are determined. I would like to think of this list as 30 things to do before I'm 30!

1. Teach a foreign student to speak English
2. Stand under a waterfall
3. Run a half marathon
4. Climb a mountain
5. Swim with the pigs in Bahamas
6. Learn how to surf
7. Sleep for a night under the stars
8. Learn to play guitar (at least 1 song)
9. Go scuba diving
10. Float in the Dead Sea
11. See a volcano
12. Take ballroom dancing lessons
13. Swim in the hot pools in Iceland
14. See Angkor Wat at sunset
15. Watch a broadway show
16.Walk along the Great Wall of China
17. Write a book
18. See the Hagia Sofia in Turkey
19. Participate in a parade or carnival
20. Go paddle boarding
21. Attend a fashion show
22. Eat something I have grown myself
23. See Times Square
24. Go snowboarding
25. See the Okavango Delta in Botswana
26. Go on a cruise
27. Stay on an island
28. Go cliff diving
29. Drink sangria in Barcelona
30. Do the Moses Mabhida swing (tallest swing in the world)

Every time I cross off one of the above I'll write about it. x

Image from etsy.com

Pay it forward

Everyday, everywhere we go, we are surrounded by people we don’t know. It is so easy for us to go about life only talking to people we know in our specific social circle, because there is no challenge when you already know someone. It's our comfort zone. Other than that, we talk to strangers only when necessary, whether its the waitress at a coffee shop or a teller at the bank.

Being the right girl

Women constantly complain about not being able to meet the right guy. Have you ever considered that you're not the right girl? Its harsh I know, but in many situations we have to consider this as the solution to the problem by looking at ourselves first.