This is what the narrator of Encounters at the End of the World (the most random and surreal account of life in Antarctic you'll ever see) asks in the film at one point: "Is this a big moment?".
He was referring to a moment when a group of scientists had just discovered three new species. Everybody laughed, but the question seems an important one to me. We can never be sure whether the moment we're living is a big moment or not. What we think of as life changing may not be and small decisions to which we don't give a second thought could change our lives for ever.
So stopping and asking "Is this a big moment?" could be a good idea. And so I ask myself, I'm turning 30 (twenty ten!!!!) in three weeks, is this a big moment? Age has never bothered me, most of my friends are my age or older than me, and so I never "feel old" around them. However, this big birthday has thrown me a bit off course. Am I being silly for feeling like this? Or turning 30 is actually a big moment, an opportunity to reevaluate where I'm going with my life?
This may have to do with where I thought I'd be at 30. Married, with a mortgage and kids. Is it so bad that I'm not there yet? I'm on the right track to get all those things soon, so does it matter that it'd happen when I'm older? Would I change the past couple of years to be there NOW, at 30? No, most definitely not. Then, why is it that all of a sudden, I feel is if I'm late for things, as if I should start rushing.
Feeling like this has made me fall into some bad habits, the worse one, my compulsive buying. Yes, I confess (in true Polly style) that I haven't been doing very well on my Think before you buy challenge lately. Once I started using the "It's my birthday soon and I deserve a threat" excuse, I couldn't stop.
If you've been following my comments around the blogosphere (which I realize it's a lot to ask, but you never know), you'd have notice that I have just bought a camera (Nikon D40, LOVE IT!) and that I've been buying the books for our Hermit Book Club (Did you visit us last Friday? We had the first discussion and it was brilliant. There is still time if you want to participate!). I went to town on Saturday and before I got to my final destination (the park) I had a couple of things from Zara and a new pair of sunglasses.
I feel guilty, yes, and at bit disappointed, but I've decided to be good to myself. I'll give myself sometime to indulge, and then after my birthday, try to get back on track. There is no point in berating myself. As I said here, it's time we are all a bit more loving towards ourselves, even when we make a mistake, and stop trying to continuosly improve ouselves.
Because if turning 30 is after all a big moment, then I may as well celebrate, right?
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
No room for improvement
That's right, I'm perfect as I am. Or actually, I'm learning to live with my imperfections. That's the new challenge.
I was going to write about my Disconnect challenge today, my attempt at spending less time on the Internet and, specifically less time reading blogs. Then, I read this post in The Fragrant Muse blog that made me realize how much I actually enjoy reading blogs, and that I'm meeting fabulous people and learning lots of interesting things in the blogsphere, so why stop? Of course, I want to free up some time to do other things, but I also want to stop feeling guilty for doing something that I enjoy and that it's not hurting anyone.
So that got me thinking... Lately, boyfriend and I seem to be in this self improvement race. As in: from now on, I'm going to eat more fruit and vegs, from now on, I'm going to go to bed earlier, from now on, I'm going to write/draw every day, from now on, I'm going to give up chocolate and coffee, from now on, from now on... Frankly, it's exhausting.
I'm not saying it's bad to stop and look at what you can do to improve your life from time to time, but shouldn't we also learnt to enjoy what we do? Why give up blogging if you like it so much? Why give up chocolate if it sweetens your day?
So these are some of the things I'm not giving up:
I was going to write about my Disconnect challenge today, my attempt at spending less time on the Internet and, specifically less time reading blogs. Then, I read this post in The Fragrant Muse blog that made me realize how much I actually enjoy reading blogs, and that I'm meeting fabulous people and learning lots of interesting things in the blogsphere, so why stop? Of course, I want to free up some time to do other things, but I also want to stop feeling guilty for doing something that I enjoy and that it's not hurting anyone.
So that got me thinking... Lately, boyfriend and I seem to be in this self improvement race. As in: from now on, I'm going to eat more fruit and vegs, from now on, I'm going to go to bed earlier, from now on, I'm going to write/draw every day, from now on, I'm going to give up chocolate and coffee, from now on, from now on... Frankly, it's exhausting.
I'm not saying it's bad to stop and look at what you can do to improve your life from time to time, but shouldn't we also learnt to enjoy what we do? Why give up blogging if you like it so much? Why give up chocolate if it sweetens your day?
So these are some of the things I'm not giving up:
- Blogs: If I wasn't reading blogs and writing my own, I wouldn't be going to blog camp with some amazing ladies, and that's reason enough not to stop.
- Coffee: I enjoy my first cup of coffee in the morning No, I LOVE my first cup of coffee in the morning. Having a coffee in the office is a great excuse to talk to my co-workers, going to Starbucks after work is the perfect moment to relax with your journal or a book. Why give it up?
- Pastries for breakfast: I should probably be more careful with what I eat, but frankly, breakfast is one of my favourite moments of the day, and I don't want to spoil it. Plus, if you are going to eat them at all, why not eat those (bad) things in the morning, so you have the whole day to burn those calories (not that I'm burning many calories sitting here in the office, but, hey, I cycle to work).
- An untidy room: Specially if it means I'm doing something fun instead of tidying up!
What are you NOT giving up?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Am I taking on too many challenges?
I kind of started another challenge yesterday, the "Think before you read the news challenge" (although I need another name for it!!). I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to keep myself informed and, at the same time, avoid the panic and mass media induced hysteria. You left some good suggestions on the comments, so I'll try some of those and report back.
But this got me thinking about my other challenges (yes, I'm one of those, in order to do something, I need a challenge... or a deadline, although worryingly these don't seem to work as well anymore). I can remember three at the moment, and I'm sure there were others. As always, trying to do too much.
The 2009 Reading Dangerously challenge (more info here) is, incidentally, how I met Julochka, who brought most of you here. I'm so happy you are here so thank you for coming and thank you, Julie!
You can see my list of dangerous books in my sidebar, of which I've read exactly one. I remind you I'm writing this on May. I'm reading, I'm just not reading dangerously enough. I've just finished eat pray love, which is a lot of things, but definitely not challenging. I'm still trying to decide if I liked it or hated it (can a book be inspirational and annoying in equal measures?). So, next on my list, one that has been on my bookshelves for a really, really long time: White Teeth. I'm trying, really trying.
The other self imposed challenge is Think before you buy (I'm so good at coming up with catchy names!). I'm trying to be more careful with impulsive purchases (mainly clothes, magazines, Starbucks coffee and yes, books!). This was going pretty well (except I did get one or two magazines that I definitely didn't need), but I miserably and utterly failed two weeks ago, when Gap decided to send me a 30% discount voucher. Of course I blame Gap, sending me the voucher AND having a collection that I actually like this year! This is not so bad, considering that I used to get a new piece of clothing (or two) every week. It's funny, despite the Gap incident, I've realized that I don't miss all that clothes shopping at all, which has been a real surprise, and just goes to show that sometimes we have no idea what makes us happy.
As for the Disconnect challenge, in which I try to spend less time on the Internet... let's just say I need to try harder.
But this got me thinking about my other challenges (yes, I'm one of those, in order to do something, I need a challenge... or a deadline, although worryingly these don't seem to work as well anymore). I can remember three at the moment, and I'm sure there were others. As always, trying to do too much.
The 2009 Reading Dangerously challenge (more info here) is, incidentally, how I met Julochka, who brought most of you here. I'm so happy you are here so thank you for coming and thank you, Julie!
You can see my list of dangerous books in my sidebar, of which I've read exactly one. I remind you I'm writing this on May. I'm reading, I'm just not reading dangerously enough. I've just finished eat pray love, which is a lot of things, but definitely not challenging. I'm still trying to decide if I liked it or hated it (can a book be inspirational and annoying in equal measures?). So, next on my list, one that has been on my bookshelves for a really, really long time: White Teeth. I'm trying, really trying.
The other self imposed challenge is Think before you buy (I'm so good at coming up with catchy names!). I'm trying to be more careful with impulsive purchases (mainly clothes, magazines, Starbucks coffee and yes, books!). This was going pretty well (except I did get one or two magazines that I definitely didn't need), but I miserably and utterly failed two weeks ago, when Gap decided to send me a 30% discount voucher. Of course I blame Gap, sending me the voucher AND having a collection that I actually like this year! This is not so bad, considering that I used to get a new piece of clothing (or two) every week. It's funny, despite the Gap incident, I've realized that I don't miss all that clothes shopping at all, which has been a real surprise, and just goes to show that sometimes we have no idea what makes us happy.
As for the Disconnect challenge, in which I try to spend less time on the Internet... let's just say I need to try harder.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Earth Mosaic
Have you heard of this photo project? Earth Mosaic wants to "record a day in the life of our planet, in pictures". If you want to take part, you need to take a photo wherever you are on Wednesday, 22nd. You then upload it on the website, and they'll create a mosaic of the Earth, trying to place the photos as close to the location in the map as possible . There is also a Flickr group where people have started uploading photos of their corners of the world (although only photos taken on the 22nd would make it to the mosaic).
I'm trying to decide what part of Oxford I want to show. I could take photos of one of the colleges, the students going to classes, people cycling... but that's the Oxford everyone knows. I love some of the small streets at the back of the colleges, or the parks around the city, the meadow behind my office, the boats at the side.
There are also some interesting neighborhoods, far from the University buildings. Cowley is the multicultural Oxford, Jericho has some hidden coffee shops and pubs, and there is a shark in the roof of one of the houses in Headington!
Photo from here. Even though I lived round the corner from the shark for over a year, I somehow never got round to take a photo of it!
Where would you be taking photos from?
I'm trying to decide what part of Oxford I want to show. I could take photos of one of the colleges, the students going to classes, people cycling... but that's the Oxford everyone knows. I love some of the small streets at the back of the colleges, or the parks around the city, the meadow behind my office, the boats at the side.
There are also some interesting neighborhoods, far from the University buildings. Cowley is the multicultural Oxford, Jericho has some hidden coffee shops and pubs, and there is a shark in the roof of one of the houses in Headington!
Photo from here. Even though I lived round the corner from the shark for over a year, I somehow never got round to take a photo of it!
Where would you be taking photos from?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Think before you buy
I thought I'd explain a little bit about my non-buying challenge, to make it real and stop me forgetting I'm doing it. And because some of you are wondering what it's all about (Hello Julie!)
It all started with the spending hiatus at Simple Lovely. Although I never signed up officially, I thought it was a great idea and decided to try it. It also ties in nicely with the new, "post South America me", the one who promised never to forget what's important, and to live a simple life full of fun and love, but with few things.
The exception to this is, of course, basic items like food and toiletries and books. I have a lot of books and I'm NOT getting rid of those, books are friends, I've said it before, and you just don't get rid of friends, even when you know them very well (specially when you do know them very well!).
But I did decide not to spend so much on things that I normally buy on a whim and that provide instant, but not lasting, gratification, namely, clothes and magazines. Surprisingly, non buying clothes has proved very, very easy. As long as I don't get close to the high street I'm fine, I don't even think about it. Not buying magazines, on the other hand, has proved so much more difficult. Borders is my happy place, you see, and Borders is full of all kind of magazines. I'm not doing so bad, I've bought a couple of magazines in the last couple of months, as opposed to 10 (but I did buy this one), but I have to try harder.
I have noticed others things that I was spending my money on, specially take away food, or eating out, and I'm now making a conscious effort not to spend so much on those.
The key to this is that I'm not really forbidding myself to buy stuff, I'm just trying to think more carefully about what I buy and why.
If you'd like to do something similar, this video would definitely convince you.
It all started with the spending hiatus at Simple Lovely. Although I never signed up officially, I thought it was a great idea and decided to try it. It also ties in nicely with the new, "post South America me", the one who promised never to forget what's important, and to live a simple life full of fun and love, but with few things.
The exception to this is, of course, basic items like food and toiletries and books. I have a lot of books and I'm NOT getting rid of those, books are friends, I've said it before, and you just don't get rid of friends, even when you know them very well (specially when you do know them very well!).
But I did decide not to spend so much on things that I normally buy on a whim and that provide instant, but not lasting, gratification, namely, clothes and magazines. Surprisingly, non buying clothes has proved very, very easy. As long as I don't get close to the high street I'm fine, I don't even think about it. Not buying magazines, on the other hand, has proved so much more difficult. Borders is my happy place, you see, and Borders is full of all kind of magazines. I'm not doing so bad, I've bought a couple of magazines in the last couple of months, as opposed to 10 (but I did buy this one), but I have to try harder.
I have noticed others things that I was spending my money on, specially take away food, or eating out, and I'm now making a conscious effort not to spend so much on those.
The key to this is that I'm not really forbidding myself to buy stuff, I'm just trying to think more carefully about what I buy and why.
If you'd like to do something similar, this video would definitely convince you.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Reading Dangerously
I'm joining a reading challenge, My Year of Reading Dangerously. I have to read 12 books I consider "dangerous" during 2009. These can be banned or challenged books, new genres, authors I'm afraid of or (my favourite) books that seem to have a permanent space on my shelves. I have 6 books in my list so far (any more suggestions?):
Rayuela (Hopscotch) by Julio Cortázar: Very scary, what I don´t get it?
100 años de soledad (100 years of solitude), by Gabriel García Márquez: Ive loved other García Márquez's books, but, for some reason, have always resisted reading this one.
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova: As much as I loved Buffy on TV, vampire books are not my thing, but this one has been recommended by my sister so...
The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie: I WILL finish one of his books.
My New York Diary, Julie Doucet: I have never read a graphic novel and this one (recommended on the Dangerously challenge blog) looks great.
In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote: I like "fun, light Truman", but I have always been TERRIFIED of reading this one. Thanks, Jan, for the recommendation!
Come and join us. Otherwise, you can join one of these reading challenges: Art History Reading, A to Z challenge, Childhood favourites.
Update: I'm thinking I'm going to leave my list as it is, with only 6 books. Even though the challenge says 12 (and I definitely going to read more than that number of books this year), I want to have time for other non-dangerous books.
Rayuela (Hopscotch) by Julio Cortázar: Very scary, what I don´t get it?
100 años de soledad (100 years of solitude), by Gabriel García Márquez: Ive loved other García Márquez's books, but, for some reason, have always resisted reading this one.
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova: As much as I loved Buffy on TV, vampire books are not my thing, but this one has been recommended by my sister so...
The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie: I WILL finish one of his books.
My New York Diary, Julie Doucet: I have never read a graphic novel and this one (recommended on the Dangerously challenge blog) looks great.
In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote: I like "fun, light Truman", but I have always been TERRIFIED of reading this one. Thanks, Jan, for the recommendation!
Come and join us. Otherwise, you can join one of these reading challenges: Art History Reading, A to Z challenge, Childhood favourites.
Update: I'm thinking I'm going to leave my list as it is, with only 6 books. Even though the challenge says 12 (and I definitely going to read more than that number of books this year), I want to have time for other non-dangerous books.
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