The Silent Treatment

I used to avoid silence, I felt uncomfortable in it. Maybe because it meant I was alone for that moment or because it allowed my own thoughts to be louder- which almost always meant I criticized every part of my life! Now though, I often crave silence throughout my day and seek it when I can. Usually through quiet lunches or dog walks in the woods, I'm really beginning to explore my introverted side which I used to try and ignore. Enjoying silence or my own company doesn't mean I don't enjoy the company of others and I certainly could not cope without the companionship of my friends and family!! But it means I can recover and recharge during busy, stressful days and hear my quiet, happy thoughts that get lost in the bustle of the day. I don't know how this change happened, but it was gradual. The more I experienced silence, the more I used it - to train my mind to focus on what was around me at that moment or what I could be grateful for right there. I think sometimes we confuse silence and just sitting as procrastination but now I think it actually helps me to be more productive.
a.g.f

How to become successful.

Life can be a little, well, underwhelming can't it?

I'm at that stage in life where I've done everything that adults told me to do (finished school and college too) and they always said 'as long as you do this you will be fine, this is the foundation for your future and success'.

But I've done everything I was supposed to and I still have no idea what I'm doing or where I want to be in 10 years. So how do I become a successful human being when every new, original idea I think I have is quickly foiled by a Google search showing it's already been done times over or I'm beaten to jobs that I don't even want by hundreds of people before me!

So what am I going to do? I certainly cannot do another year of full time retail as I don't think my soul could take it!! 

I'm hoping to change my idea of successful from how much income I earn to how fulfilled and happy I can be. It's going to be a long journey to change my thought process and learn to ignore people's (not so) subtle pessimism to my response to that ever so present question: what is your aspiration in life? 

Don't feel sorry for me or believe me to be naive because my outlook is different to yours because when did aspirations mean dream job? When did we start depending on careers for happiness? So if you ask... My aspiration is to remove myself from the obsession with money and materials and live a simpler life.

Oh and to travel around the world wouldn't be all bad I guess.

Peace out, Amelia x