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Feeling cheerful on a Monday morning? Why yes, I am crazy

Thank you all for your comments, they were lovely! And definitely gave me a lot to think about. I realise now that it is possible to live off the things that you love; but also just as realistic to have a job you don’t love to support the hobbies that you do. Either way leads to happiness and fulfillment.

I was so exhausted on Friday, from thinking about all of this over and over again. I’m not going to lie, I was feeling a little bit down about it all. But late Friday night I stopped. I looked at where I am now. And realised that I’m happy. I’m working part-time in an office, I may not be living off my dreams just yet, but I’m still happy exactly where I am.

I don’t want to be one of those people who goes around saying ‘I’ll be happy if this happens”, or “I’ll be happy when I do this”. It’s all well and good to have goals, but I forgot last week to focus on the now. To make the most of what I already have.

I mean, I’m only 23. I am not set to finish uni for another year and a half. I have options. And goals. And ideas. But I don’t need to rush them quite so quickly. Just because I’m not doing all of them now, right this second, doesn’t mean I never will. Things take time.

And when it comes down to it, I am doing many of the things I love already. I may not be able to devote my life to them and pay my bills with them quite yet; but I still have the opportunity right now to live my dreams. I am able to write, sing, play piano, dance, create and change people’s lives.

So I guess, after all of that, I am already living the life I want. I have a solid foundation. All I have to do now is to keep building onto that foundation.

In the meantime, I am going to focus on the little things in life that keep me smiling every day. Things that we forget to appreciate in lieu of the bigger picture. The picture that may be completely different in a year. The picture that we put too much time and effort into sometimes, when it doesn't need to be that hard.

So to take a leaf out of Kim’s blog, Fill Your Well, here are the things I am grateful for this past week:

-Canberra holding onto sunshine for just a little bit longer

-tights, scarves and flowery dresses

-poached eggs with fake bacon and baby spinach. That’s how I know that the weekend is here


-enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning air

-freshly brewed organic coffee in the morning

-waking up to sunshine streaming through the windows and children laughing

-holding hands, even after five years

-the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (and eating a big bowl of the dough!)

-tea parties with friends; complete with pass-the-parcel, trivia, balloon-pop, board games, and LOTS of tea and homemade goodies

-winning cupcake & rainbow homemade brooches from the talented birthday girl in pass-the-parcel

-drinking too much wine and watching crazy English comedies Sunday night (though not so great Monday morning!)

-learning new songs on the keyboard

-cuddles from my cats


What are you grateful for this Monday morning?


Ps. Things I am not so grateful for: sitting cross legged on my chair at work as I write this because there is a crazy hyperactive spider running around on the floor...

Comments

koralee said…
It is soooo healthy to be grateful ... happy Monday to you. xoxo
Mandy said…
I am thankful for the love of my friends and family :) They keep me going no matter what! The thing from your list I like most was the "holding hands even after 5 years"...reminds me of when Mike and I hold hands places...still makes everything feel like young love!

Happy Monday!
Ash said…
Can I just say I love all of your posts; they are always so positive, but still really thought provoking.

And I'm grateful it's still not monday in the U.S.! Haha.
Meher said…
A dash of optimism always spruces up the mind, eh?
Tiq said…
Hi Kaylia...

Things always have its own way of turning out for the best and have you heard of this "everything that is happening to you is an opportunity to grow". You'll be fine dear. To make you feel better, lemme give u a bloggie hug !!
Awww...Reading your gratitude list is so delightful..

And I totally need to lose some fat. Hips don't lie baby. Haha

You have a great Monday dear !
p/s : I tagged u in "The handwriting game" :)
Deidre said…
Yay I am so glad that you've destressed a little from Friday.

I am grateful for yoga classes, sunny days, and libraries full of free books!
Jessica said…
Oh I just love days that make you feel grateful! Thank you for your lovely comments - it really is incredible how much just putting on a smile and forcing a positive outlook can actually lift your mood, isn't it? I'm so happy that you're finding contentment with the state of things - it can definitely be too easy to feel like everything you're doing is not the right way to get you to your dreams, but you're right that life is made up of little steps and little moments, and taking them, and enjoying them, is all any of us can do.
cat said…
OMG how is it that I just found out you live in Canberra??

I have been feeling the same about my studies vs. my passion and came to the same conclusion as you did -- I'll have to do what I have to do to support what I love to do. I just have to remember to not over-indulge in one or the other for my happiness' sake :)
keishua said…
yeah! I love your list. I've been meaning to find more things to do with fake bacon.
Seriously, there is no rush but I understand that feeling of need to make things happen.
I'm grateful that sun is shining and I made a pb and j to go for breakfast.
Bonnie said…
One of the goals for myself is to try harder to be happier. I am not an unhappy person, but I stress myself out and get caught up in anxiety, which prevents me from fully enjoying myself as much as I otherwise would.
It is important to always count your blessings, even if that means making a list. It shows you how much you have to be thankful for, and it forces you to see everything that you should be happy about.
<3

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
Unknown said…
starting off monday on a bright note - always a good thing.

i have too many things to be thankful for!
Missy said…
i'm grateful to read your list! haha but now you've put coffee and chocolate chip cookies on my brain
k said…
you are so wise, dear! I love reading what you have to say!
Brandi said…
Oh, Kaylia, this is a perfect post. Happiness is definitely a decision and a big part of that is just opening yourself up to all the wonderful things that are already in your life. I'm so glad you jotted down some of the things you're grateful for. I do that every night and it makes such a difference.
kimbirdy said…
i adore this gratitude list! really, just reading it made me feel happier and more content about life. :) isn't it amazing how life changes when you choose to look at all that is good in your life? i mean, it's really important to let yourself be sad or angry when you need to be, but then to pick yourself up and remind yourself about all the good things.

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