november journal
Flipping through the pages of my diary to recall what happened because November went by in such a blur. I was in a slump for the most of November. The first week of November was spent battling the jet lag and weather/culture shock from coming back to NZ. The reality of work hit me hard too. Then I had my wisdom tooth pulled out because it had been causing me some pain. The second week of November then spent on being in more pain and on a soft food diet. Luckily the recovery was quick. Work got even busier and took most of my mental space. Each day in November felt like such a drag and went by so fast at the same time. All the things I used to enjoy doing felt like a chore. I couldn’t finish a book. Plant chores kept getting put off. I couldn’t be bothered with the cooking. I stopped exercise regularly. I just wanted to stay at home.
Whenever I feel like this, I know my brain needs a rest and I need a reset. To slow down my mind and recharge. To fill myself up again.
“Twenty Five Twenty One” (2022)
Binging Korean drama was my coping mechanism. I just finished watching “Twenty Five Twenty One”. A bit late to the game as every K-drama fan has probably watched this when it came out earlier this year. But I love saving these shows for when I need a pick me up. And I’m so glad this show did exactly that. It helped me cry my heart out, laugh out loud, and taught me some life lessons. There is something so wholesome about watching someone giving their best at something. It’s inspiring and comforting. It makes me realise that I’m not alone in my journey. There’s one scene about progress that particularly hit home for me. I feel quite stagnant lately and thought about giving up doing what I used to enjoy so much — blogging and photography. No matter how much effort and time I put in, I don’t feel like I’m improving. It’s super deflating. Yet after watching this show I now believe I just hit a wall and I will get over this. Because if doing them still brings me joy, I won’t give up.
Gratitude list
On Thanksgiving this year, seeing all the gratitude posts everywhere on social media made me sit down and write my own gratitude list too. I’m glad I did that. For it turned out to be exactly what I needed to fill myself full again.
This month I was grateful for —
George for taking on the cooking and making yummy congee and soups when I went through my tooth pain
my job for allowing me the flexibility of working from home on days when I need the time and space to reset and be myself, instead of having to match people’s energy in the office
my girlfriends for being a constant in my life
this blog to share my thoughts, feelings, writing, photos and anything that helps express myself
opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself in something new, to learn what I’m capable of
my parents for they have always been my rock, but also my burden. Though that’s something to be grateful for because they give me a reason to work hard and keep going
“little things”
I read this recently — “one of the biggest things that can keep us from having hope is when we are missing joy in our lives. If the present moment doesn’t feel joyful then how could the future feel that way? Make time for the “little things”: whatever it is that might not change the overall situation but still manages to bring you joy.”
I knew getting my nails done would be one of those “little things”. Having flowers drawn on my nails never fails to make me so happy.
Another “little things” I love doing is doodling away on my journal. It has been a way of zoning out and de-stressing for me. Sometimes it takes an hour or two and I just completely get immersed in it. Nothing else is on my mind. Picking and playing with the colours are always the most fun.
November was down in the dumps, but I’m a lot more hopeful now that December is here. ‘Tis the season of joy and I will try my best to spend time doing all the things that bring me joy.
