Happy New Year!!

I know it has been forever and 6 days since I last posted, but I’m wanted to wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year!

What exciting things are you looking forward to in 2017?

5 Ways To Get Out of a Funk

 

Busan, South Korea

I’ve been in a funk recently.

I haven’t been as upbeat and outgoing as I usually am, I haven’t been excited to get out and explore, I haven’t been wanting to blog, and there have been days when I didn’t even want to get out of bed. I’ve been low-key and keeping to myself, which is definitely not the norm for me since I’m ALWAYS out and about.

I know that it happens to everyone every now and again. We all have our ups and downs, but the key is not to get too caught up in the negative. So here are 5 ways that I uplift my spirits and get back to my happy self:

1. Write it out. Writing is actually one of my favorite ways to de-stress and clear my mind. I pull out my journal and I just begin writing. Don’t think, just write about whatever your heart tells you to write. You can be completely true and honest, and you are your only audience. When you write, you release all of the things that are bothering you and you just feel so much lighter and happier once it’s all out.
2. Vent: I know that I said that you shouldn’t dwell on the negative, but sometimes you just have to get together with your girls and have a good venting session. It can be extremely fun and therapeutic. Plus, it feels great to be able to be open and honest with your friends and can be reaffirming to know that you’re not the only one who feels this way.
3. Do something nice for yourself: Treating myself to something nice almost always improves my mood. Give yourself a mani/pedi, get a massage, buy a cute dress or some makeup, get your hair done, take yourself to the movies. The list is endless. But whatever you do, make sure that it’s for you and is something that you really enjoy.
4. Get out of the house. It’s easy to be down when all you do is stay in the bed. Force yourself to get up and get out of the house, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Take a stroll around your neighborhood. Walk through the park. Go to the store for your favorite ice cream. Go for a jog if you’re into that kind of thing. (I’m not, but hey, it might work for you.) Just get out.
5. Read some inspiring material. Sometimes in helps to immerse yourself in stories of positivity. It may help you get out of your own head, and even realize some things about yourself that you didn’t know. I just finished reading Shonda Rhimes’ “Year of Yes” and am beginning to get into “The Happiness Project.” What are some inspiring books that you are reading. Let me know!

What are some things that you do to improve your spirit and get out of your funk? Comment below!

3 Lessons I’ve Learned While Living Abroad

“I’m working on myself.”

This is my motto. I say this all the time, usually after I’ve done something a little crazy, like lose my phone for the 3rd time in a year. Or forget someone’s name minutes after they’ve just told me.  Or double-book my time because I’m low-key a hot mess who can’t function without my planner. Or… Listen, you get the point.

But the truth is, we are all works in progress and no one has it all figured out. When you make a major life change, whether it’s moving to a new country, starting a new job, or even quitting your old one, you’re bound to grow in ways that you’ve never imagined. And that’s kind of the point. I mean, who puts in all this work just so that they can stay the same?

Living and working in Korea for the past year and a half has definitely had its ups and downs, but it’s also forced me to step out of my comfort zone and reflect. Whether positive or negative, everything that has happened during this journey has shown me something about myself.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned so far during my time here in Korea. They aren’t in any particular order, and I’m sure that I’ll have more to add to the list as the year progresses.

1. Not every battle is worth fighting. 

I’m very vocal and I don’t allow people to treat me any kind of way. I like that I stand up for myself and that I’m not afraid to speak up. But, if there’s one thing living abroad in Korea has taught me, it’s that sometimes you just have to let shit go.

Keyword: SOMETIMES

This doesn’t mean that I just sit back and let people disrespect me. But I’ve realized that everything that annoys me also isn’t worthy of my time or anger. Yes, I hate it when older Korean women and men bust in line in front of me on the train. And yes, it annoys me when people stare at me like they’re trying to see into my soul, which happens numerous times a day. But if I let these things bother me all the time, then I’d never be able to focus on anything else. I wouldn’t be able to give my full attention to the people and things that make me happy, which are more important.

If you’re irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?

-Rumi

2. Every friendship is not meant to last. And that’s okay.

I like to believe that my good friendships will stand the test of time. I’m definitely not the kind of person who calls and texts everyday but every time my friends and I link up, it’s like time hasn’t passed at all. Those are the kind of relationships that I consider my most honest friendships.

However, being an expat in Korea has shown me that some “friendships” are not the kind that will last forever and people will come and go. Some people are only interested in certain aspects of who you are. There will be people who you’re close with but once they move away or go back home all communication stops. And then there will be people that you meet who are stuck with you for life, meaning that ya’ll are going to be cool no matter where life takes you.

And I’ve learned not to take any of these things personally. It is what it is. I can appreciate people and moments for what they are now and not try to make them into something they’re not.

3. There’s no need to fear riding solo. 

Prior to moving to Seoul, I had never considered travelling solo. Sure, I’d explore my city alone, but I’d never consider going to another country by myself. Who’s going to make sure I don’t get lost? Who’s going to help me read this confusing ass map? Who’s going to get us all home once the beverages have started pouring? It sounded like a disaster just waiting to happen. No thanks, I’m good.

Mekong Delta // Can Tho, Vietnam

But here’s the thing: once you move halfway across the world, alone, to a place where you don’t know anyone or the language, taking a short flight to visit another country where you don’t know anyone or the language doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. It doesn’t seem as impossible or as daunting as I once thought, because I’ve already done something bigger.

I then began to realize that there were other aspects of my life that I could take control of and deal with alone. I’m the Olivia Pope of my own life. Problems arise and they’ll get handled. It won’t always be easy, but I’ve got this.

I still have a lot more work to do in order to become the best version of myself, but I think that it all comes down to understanding that I’m in control of my own experience. There will be obstacles, but I can always choose how to let these things affect me. I decide what’s important to me and how to make it work. After all, it’s all part of the learning process.