Hope you all had a lovely New Year! It’s pretty clichéd but I always like to use the New Year as a new start: a chance to get reorganised, (buy new stationary), and to prioritise what’s important. After having a pretty trying year last year, I’ve got a lot of things to look forward to this year; so while I do have a nice new pile of notebooks and diaries, I’ve decided against making my usual list of resolutions…
Being a compulsive overachiever, I always have an ever-growing list of things that I want to accomplish, and I know that I’m at my happiest when I’m busy. But then the flipside of this is that when I’m not busy or being productive, I cause myself anxiety. While looking for a job last year, I felt as though my life had reached a static point. I was working in a part time job I found neither enjoyable, challenging nor stimulating, and in between that I was completing (what felt like) endless amounts of internship. In addition to this, I was filling in countless applications and most of the time being met with nothing but silence. To try and combat the demoralisation and frustration of rejection, I started to throw myself into new challenges: I started learning French, I increased the number of hours I practiced ballet for, I returned to my old textile roots by taking up pattern cutting classes. All the while, I still kept interning in the hope that something would come up. Taking the classes helped because while I didn’t feel like my career was progressing, at least I could be physically productive in other ways. In particular, I found the problem solving aspect of pattern cutting was very therapeutic; and it was rewarding that after finishing the pattern you could then use it to create something.
Despite the new skills I was developing, I still felt as though I was in a rut. The more jobs that I applied for, the more responses I was getting telling me that although I was a strong applicant, I just didn’t have the experience they required. And the more I heard that, the more I felt like a character from Catch 22. How was I supposed to get this elusive experience without someone taking a chance on me? Eventually though someone did, and I’ve found myself working for a company that supports and believes in me while helping me to develop. In the New Year I do want to keep up the plate spinning (my friends joke that I’d get too bored if I stopped running around, and they’re probably right), but I won’t be making lists of resolutions. Instead, I’ll be spending the year grabbing every opportunity that comes my way, and enjoying every single minute of it.
i think that's a wonderful idea – instead of making plans, just letting life happen and grabbing on to whatever you can. best of luck in 2013 🙂
Wow. I Love it! You have so so great blog! <3
Happy New Year!:*
Would You like to follow each other? 🙂
http://linde-lo.blogspot.com/
Lovely choices and enough space to write down upcoming inspirations. Happy new year.
http://THEURBANPROMENEUR.blogspot.com
Just found your blog and loving it. Maybe we can follow each other on GFC or bloglovin? Maybe stop by my blog and let me know XO
http://mevamarie.blogspot.com/
This all sounded so famiiar to me… part of me wanted to laugh, and another part of me wanted to cry a little! If I'm not constantly growing, improving and feeling productive in some aspect of my life, my sense of self-worth can absolutely plummet. Since I've cut out my former job, which was the biggest source of stress, frustration and lack of productivity, I find it's easier to occasionally relax 😉 I hope 2013 will bring a little of that for you, too!
xox,
Cee
This is the best post titled ever and I'm going to read it over and over again! Hah. I love that flowery notebook set so much.. so pretty.
& well done to you for 2012, you worked so hard and it's all paid off. I'm really proud xx
Love your optimism…
hang in there,
you will get the right job for you.
Good for you, darling!
Happy New Year!
xoxox,
CC
Ah frustrating isn't it? Everyone needs to get on the ladder somehow but often the only way to do that is to get internships which unfortunately are sometimes impossible to do without incurring a massive financial burden! Even then it's still not guaranteed that you'll get the job! Congratulations on persevering though and finding a job you enjoy :). I'm like you and like to be constantly challenged! xx
Almost Delightful
Chasing dreams and sustaining it. That's how I want my 2013. I'm owning it. Cheers and Happy New Year. =)
I can totally relate. I'm so glad you're taking some time to give yourself a break this year and enjoy the little successes along the way. I'm rooting for you.