A year of me

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

So last month I decided to dedicate a year to focusing on me. I wanted to stop thinking about finding a new job or a new place to live or any other idea that comes to mind that made me want to do something just to find change. Change can be a good thing and I thrive on change. But lately I have come to realize that I might be a change addict. Stability and focus can be a good thing as well.

I wanted to see how things would work out if I simply ride things out. But I couldn't just settle for the everyday routine so I decided to focus on hobbies! I set a goal to run a half marathon. I signed up to run the Scotiabank Waterfront Half on September 26th 2010. 

I am three weeks into my training routine and it feels great. It didn't always feel good. I remember the first week...the first time I went out for a run, I thought to myself why the hell did I have to tell everyone I was running a half. There was no way out. I had committed myself. But in hindsite, it was a good thing that I told everyone because that made me stick to that goal. I worked harder and simply took it one step at a time.

The second week, I went out for a 4 mile run on Sunday morning. I was worried but I told myself that I would finish the distance even if I walked the entire way. I took my time and actually ran the entire way without stopping! I was elated. This past Sunday, I was scheduled to run 5 miles and again I told myself I would take my time and I again, ran the entire way without stopping.

What else am I going to work on. I am going to write and blog more; and I'm going to learn how to crochet. I've got things that I want to create and it would be a fun business venture to begin. 

Why am I doing all this? Well, for a long time I have been unsatisfied with my career. I've been switching jobs hoping to find something fulfilling. What I started to realize is that "jobs" in a traditional sense are not a means to find instrinsic fulfillment..at least not for me. So rather than run around from job to job, I decided to enjoy where I am right now and take the financial security that my current job provides and redirect my efforts for fulfillment towards things that I truly enjoy: writing, photography, and crafts.

We'll see where this journey will take me. It's been tough to curbe the urge to look for a new job. I struggle with that every day. But as I get more involved in my hobbies, I am slowly gaining more focus on these endeavours. Should be an interesting year. Either way, I'll be starting to write more again :)