This weeks challenge is to look at what are you actually TAKING up? What are you
giving yourself? Are you learning something new? Taking up a new sport? Giving
yourself a social life?
You know, when I initially wrote this post, I didn't think that I would be writing what I am about to...
First off, I have to say that this round hasn't gone to plan. In fact, to give you an idea of where my plan is, if I was to stay completely still, my plan would have lapped me twice and is in Timbuktu.
While this has been the case, I have come to realise that this round, I am really giving myself something special... I am finding the balance!!
I am living a goal that I have had for the last couple of years - to go to university. While this isn't directly 12WBT related, it is in reality such a huge gift to myself that I have been able to do with the help of my partner.
I have been looking at this year as my time. I am finally in a position not to have to worry about everything all by myself (money, mortgage, food, work, study). I have an amazing partner who wants nothing more than to see me happy and to see me succeed.
While this probably doesn't seem like much of a connection to balance in my life, it really is as for years I have always wanted to be able to find some time to focus on myself, to work my way towards a goal and to have some freedom in my lifestyle and mindset to be able to actively work on who I am now!!
So, while I haven't followed Mish's plans - in any way, shape or form at this point in the round, I have come to realise that part of learning balance is not to stress myself out so much... which is a big undertaking let me tell you!! I am such a stresshead, and I know that this isn't good for me at all!!
It is now week 3 in uni, I am still ironing kinks out, I am still trying to figure out how my brain will retain all of this wonderful new knowledge, but I feel that by taking a step back I am able to find my centre and be able to look at my tasks and changes and ease myself into it, rather than panicking and wondering why I can't seem to do so much like others can (note to self (and anyone else listening!: don't compare yourself - make you life, tasks, work, study, etc work for you!! No one else has your life, and you don't have theirs - everyone copes differently!!)
So, basically, at this point in time I am giving myself time to cope with all of the BIG changes in my life and learning to take baby steps to get to my goals!
Whirlsie, you will have a great year with this attitude, and you seem to be learning so much about yourself. What are you studying, by the way?
ReplyDeleteI am actually studying nutrition Janie :) I decided to study it after losing 20+kg - I wanted to help others lose weight without fads and to learn what healthy eating really is :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful lesson, Whirlsie! 'Balance' is everything. I'm laughing because so much of what you've written ties in with my own response to this challenge - particularly about the 'me-time'! It sounds like you've learned one of the most precious lessons Life has to offer. Enjoy those studies and apply the same psychology: you don't learn when you read; you learn when you've read, stepped away and allowed your brain time to absorb! Balance .... the essence of everything xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Symphony! I tend to struggle with 'balance' and think that I can do everything all at once! lol
DeleteHi Leanne, just wanted to give you a little bit of encouragement from a former mature-aged uni student! I went back to uni full-time at the age of 34 when my youngest child went to school. It was the best thing I ever did - as well as the hardest.AS you've said it was all about doing something that was just about me (a little like the 12wbt really) and I loved it because when I got there I was noone's Mum, noone's wife I was just Barbara, another (although much older) undergrad. I eventually went on to do honours and a PhD and would do it all again today. Good luck remember that the big advantage you have over other undergrads is that you are there because you want to be, you are motivated and have life experience behind you. In my expereince (as a student and then as a lecturer) was that mature-age students almost always did really well because of these factors.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteI am already starting to feel so much more relaxed since I put this post up. I really feel like I have taken off a lot of the pressure I was putting onto myself.
I never thought that uni would be so tough as a mature aged student!! But it's getting there!