A new year; new opportunities

I enjoy milestones because they allow me to evaluate my current position and determine my future direction.

As I enter the new year, my sole focus is on learning to appreciate the present moment. Being unemployed for the past year has allowed me the opportunity to reflect on my life and how I utilize my time. Upon reflection, I've come to understand how harshly I used to judge myself while working, always feeling inadequate in some way.

What's fascinating is that even though I'm currently without a job, I continue to act in the same way. I frequently find fault with myself for not being productive enough, such as when it comes to working out, sticking to a routine, or excelling in my tasks. The issue wasn't my job or how I performed it, but rather my overall self-critical attitude.

It is clear that altering my mindset is essential. The secret to discovering the beauty of life is to adopt self-contentment and self-acceptance. Continuously criticizing myself will impede my capacity to derive pleasure from my endeavours. It is vital to nurture an appreciation for what I have and derive joy from each minor achievement.

I must also shift my perspective on my achievements. Frequently, I fail to perceive my actions as exceptional or sufficiently well-executed. While I strive to engage in activities that captivate me and hold significance, I tend to overlook their importance. It is only when an external party expresses interest or admiration that I recognize the potential value of my endeavours.

When I reflect on my progress and achievements, I contemplate what aspects bring me joy. Initially, I established this website more than a year ago with the intention of consolidating the columns I have written over the past decade into a single platform. Following this task, I committed to regularly updating this website with new columns. Moving forward, my objective starting this autumn is to release a minimum of one new column each week. While I may not always meet this target, I strive to do my utmost.

I also have a talent for turning my dreams into reality. This has led me to work as an au pair overseas, learn Spanish at a language institute in Barcelona, and pursue studies at universities both locally and internationally. I have also demonstrated my ability to push beyond my comfort zone by immersing myself in spirituality and exploring shamanism. I openly discuss the challenges I have faced and the lessons learned, ranging from anxiety and sadness to improved mental and emotional health.

Everything I have achieved up to this point has not seemed extraordinary to me or even occasionally felt embarrassed about. The key to finding joy in life lies in achieving inner harmony. It is essential for me to start viewing myself and my priorities in a new, positive light. Instead of focusing on self-criticism, I should embrace self-acceptance and contentment. By doing so, I can envision a future where simply existing brings immense pleasure.