The importance of having less

In light of the festive season, I have thought a lot about the materialistic side of Christmas and how my values of such have changed drastically since last year. I make a decent salary in Bangkok, and I go from month to month with no real worries about money. I am able to save, go out on the weekends and plan awesome holidays. Even though I stick to some sort of budget, its never really a stressful experience in terms of day to day expenses. Just recently I was thinking about how much my spending has changed when comparing 24 year old me living abroad to 22 year old me back home, that was always working (sometimes 3 jobs) but for some reason always running out of money. I figured it out... and this epiphany is something that has actually changed me in the best possible way. I don't waste my money on 'stuff' anymore.

5 Baht butterfly crumpets anyone?

When life takes over

I had this idea that once I had moved halfway across the world to Bangkok, I would be immensely inspired by everything around me and therefore have a constant flow of moments and events to discuss in detail on my blog. The truth is that I am inspired by this city in so many overwhelming ways that I seldom find the words to explain the experiences that I am going through. I like to think of it as having all the words and emotions in a bowl of alphabet soup, but not being able to digest them into sentences. Does that make sense at all or does it sound like a super weird bio lesson?

Other than being overwhelmed and speechless at the best of times, I am also busier than I have ever been. I used writing as a mechanism of escaping my somewhat vanilla life back home, and I am now on this whirlwind adventure, along with a teaching job that keeps me occupied anytime in-between. Sometimes I will look at my phone and I haven't even had the time to reply to a simple text message. Sitting quietly with my laptop and my thoughts is a difficult feat when there is so much going on around me.

So here comes the point of this blog post-life takes over sometimes. I place certain interests and hobbies in a list of priorities and often they slip to the bottom of that list when I have too much on my plate. Living in a foreign country is a challenge and an adventure, and after a few months I finally have the urge to find the time to write again! So for all the sweet strangers and friends and family members out there that are reading this (Hi Mom), I have returned from hibernation and I will be writing a whole lot about a whole lot from now on. x

7 Things I hate about long flights

I doubt there is anyone in the world that enjoys being cramped up in an airplane on a long haul flight for 10 hours (or more). Since I have a super loooong flight from Johannesburg to Bangkok in less than 2 weeks, I thought I would share my deep loathing of such. Lets just leave the 'I should feel fortunate to be able to fly to another country, and I am very lucky' argument. I am aware of this but it sucks okay! It has to be done.

Bangkok: The Countdown

There are less than 3 weeks left before I depart for Bangkok, Thailand to start teaching English, and I can't explain to you how much is going on in my head right now. It has got to the point where all other forms of inspiration and creativity have evaporated from my brain (including my sense of humour if I'm honest). I am a nightmare to be around lately, and I apologise in advance to family, friends and strangers (the man at the post office on Tuesday) that have been caught in the thunderstorm mood-swing that is Sarah. I feel the necessity to share what is going on in this head of mine in the hopes that it won't explode. It's not pretty...

Image from vegatravelbangkok.com

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!

6 Things I wish actually existed

The 6 things I wish actually existed on earth...this is what I daydream about when I am staring blankly into the distance. I have an outrageous imagination as you can see, but I am pretty sure most of you can agree with my non-existent inventions. In a perfect world all of the following would exist.

1. A Reggies Rush 'Zara Edition'

There is nothing I would love more than to relive my childhood dream inside the walls of Zara, the epitome of a girls fantasy wardrobe in one single shop. The fact that the store changes every 2 weeks makes me genuinely sad sometimes. Like where do all those clothes go? Give them to me! I would have a whole strategy as to how I would navigate the shop to grab as many items in my size that I possibly could in the short amount of time that I am given. I forget whether it was a even a minute, but that is enough for me. My black belt in shopping would aid me well I think!

Image from projectcasting.com

9 Things Real Housewives has taught me

The women from the reality show 'Real Housewives' have really opened my mind up to what its like to have so much money that you develop an alter ego. This elite group of females may seem aggressive and intimidating, but you have to admit they can teach us normal middle-class folk a thing or two about life.

Its all about reading between the lines and finding the poems among the swear words, and the wisdom among the insults. Ladies get out your notebook and pen because here is what the Real Housewives can teach you about being feisty, rich and fabulous.

1. Sharing is caring

7 Signs you are no longer that young

I am 23 years old, that's young right? Obviously to any one older than me it is considered young, but I have had a few situations with various teenagers that has proven otherwise. I can remember my teenage years like they were yesterday, but again and again I am reminded of how much I have changed and 'aged' since then. I know how ridiculous it sounds, but I genuinely had a moment of acceptance that I am no longer as cool, young and carefree as I was when I was 16 (or 18). Here is how I came to this conclusion.

An evening at Madame Zingara

My mom went to Madame Zingara with a group of her friends a while back, and I can remember how insanely envious I was watching her dress up, feather boa and all, to watch a performance that can only be described as a South African Cirque du soleil.

So naturally, when I was offered a ticket to attend this years production of Madame Zingara at Suncoast Casino in Durban, I had to stop myself from screaming it from the rooftops and doing a cartwheel in true Zingara style. FINALLY I would get to experience this weird and wonderful show!

Dress: Urban Shoes: Zoom Belt: Country Road Necklace: Woolworths

My 100th blog post!

Aaaaaah hello blog post number 100 on She Thinks Like Me you beauty! This is a personal milestone for me, as I have been in the blog game for a year but I have been writing short stories, poems and 'articles' since way back. Yes, I was the nerd in English class that read every single assigned book (and more), and always had my hand up in class. I fell in love with words and how they could be put together to form meaning, to captivate and to inspire.

I have always been particularly obsessed with magazine articles and how they are set out. Simple, to the point and easy to understand. I would always think 'I want to write for a magazine and have people relate to what I am saying', but it just seemed like a pipe dream at the time. I didn't know what to do with my pieces of writing because the blogging world was foreign to me, so I would just keep them as documents saved on my computer.

When I look back I could kick myself that I hadn't started sooner, because the satisfaction that blogging gives me is something I can't really explain (but lets not get into that for fear of boring you all to death). It is like this community of people who get to share certain parts of their lives, empower others to keep writing, capture life in beautiful photo's and use social media as a tool to be heard. That is barely scratching the surface.

To all you bloggers out there, I respect you for what you do, whether you have 5 views a day or 5000. Remind yourself why you are writing and stay true to who you are. Blogs may highlight only the fun and beautiful parts of our lives but everyone has their bad days and hardships. All I can say is be original, keep it simple. x

4 Things I Learnt in the Bush

Something I really appreciate about my relationship with my boyfriend Trav is that we are so different in the way we see the world, but we get to learn and appreciate these differences together. When it comes to holidays for example, I am all for any place with the sun and the sea, and he prefers camping and the bush. When I go to a restaurant I always order the same kinds of food, and he will order the strangest meal no one has ever tried. I am impulsive when it comes to making a decision and he thinks it through first. These are some of the factors that allow each other to expand our minds and our perspectives, especially when it comes to holidays and traveling.

Our recent holiday to the private game reserve Kube Yini in Mkuze, Zululand proves no different. We had been in hot and tropical Mozambique over the Christmas holidays, and now it was Trav's turn to do what he loves best: be in the bush. Here is what I learnt...

Trav and I at the lookout point

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.

8 Ways that you know you are having a good day

There are those bad days where everything goes wrong and you just want to crawl into the foetal position, and then there are those glorious days where the sun shines just a lil brighter, and the birds chirp a lil louder. These are the days that I live for, and they aren't necessarily dramatic or full of excitement. It's all the small things that add up to one big happy day, and you get to revel in the complete bliss that is life. This is how you know you're having a good day.

The Perfect Valentines Date

As some of you may already know, my name is Sarah and I am a hopeless romantic. At the same time, I personally don't think that love and romance requires tons of money spent on me or materialistic gifts. I prefer thought, affection and a mushy well-written card.

I am so over the same old thing each year when it comes to Valentines Day. Giving each other big fluffy teddies and silly gifts emblazoned with hearts that go into the back of closets, and spending ridiculous amounts of money on fancy dinners at that fully-booked restaurant is just not my idea of a good time. Not being able to have a nice conversation and worrying about what to order or if you chose the right outfit can easily make you forget what Valentines Day is actually about.

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.

The do's and dont's of a wedding guest

Wedding season is fast approaching for all those individuals who are lucky enough to tie the knot with their one true love. I personally have two weddings to attend in the next 2 months and I am so very excited! I mean who doesn't love weddings? Side-note: can I just say that at the age of 23 I am yet to be a bridesmaid, and at this point I will agree to be one at your wedding even if I don't know you. Is that weird?

Anyway, I thought it would be helpful (or at least somewhat entertaining) to discuss the do's and dont's of a wedding guest. Yes, as a guest you are enormously insignificant in the greater scheme of things, and you might even find yourself missing from every single photo that was taken that night, but it is important to understand a few things before attending a wedding. Listen up!

The Price of Fame

I have found myself feeling more and more unhinged by the growing popularity and frequency of trashy reality television programmes. Jersey Shore, Geordie Shore, The Valleys... one reality show progressively worse than the other but in a different country. It seems to be this strange mixture of personal intrigue and voyeurism into another persons life. Why do we find ourselves so interested in the over-dramatized, embarrassing and often explicit antics of these complete strangers? Do we see parts of ourselves that we recognize, or do we yearn to be as open and free-spirited as them?

Hit the ground running

I had a very successful year last year in terms of reaching my fitness goals, taking part in competitive races and becoming a better runner. How crazy is it that just 3 weeks of holiday can nearly destroy a years progress? Ok that could be slightly dramatic, but I know that I have a lot of catching up to do this year. My new goal is the Maritzburg half marathon in February (soon I know).

Things we need to leave in 2014

As the new and exciting year of 2015 draws near, I can't help but reflect on the moments, trends and people that have become the highlights of  the last 365 days, 52 weeks, 12 months of 2014. We all love to use the new year as a way to start new hobbies, lose weight, tick items off bucket-lists or break bad habits.

As you turn over the a new leaf, why not throw the old leaf away? Ah if only it were that easy my friends... creating a list of what I wish could be left behind in 2014 could be as worthwhile as emptying a pool with a teacup. If I had any power over society, I would try my best to make sure all of the following no longer existed in 2015. I personally think you would all be very grateful with the changes I would make. Here goes!

Beat the Boredom

Oh the irony of finally having a holiday and a break from work over the festive season, only to find that you are bored out of your skull and you have watched every series and movie on your laptop in the last 3 days (been there). We are so used to these fast and furious action-packed lives, going from work to gym to all those other commitments we have filled our plate with. No wonder we feel numb with boredom when the madness finally stops and we have a few days off!

The importance is not to fill your days up being so busy that you actually burn out, or just sit on the couch all day. Find a combination of relaxing and fun activities to do that are also constructive, and you will end your holiday feeling accomplished and rested. Here is my list of fun Christmas holiday activities to do with family, friends or by yourself.

Make Christmas tree decorations

If you are falling short on Christmas decorations for your tree this year, don't go out and buy more. Rather make them yourself as a fun activity and add a sentimental touch to your tree. Whether you do it yourself or get children or friends to help for the day, there are so many ways to create fun and easy decorations. You can use felt, paper, pine cones, fruit or ribbons. You can even personalise decorations with names of family members.

A personal favourite of mine is these easy-to-make polystyrene glitter balls:

• cover a small round polystyrene ball with craft glue
• roll ball around in glitter until all surfaces are covered
• Use a pin to secure a folded piece of ribbon or string at the top of the ball to hang on the tree

Image from hgtv.com