1 year.
12 months.
52 weeks.
365 days.
April 22, 2014 will mark 1 year in America.
But it just doesn’t feel like 1 year. It just
doesn’t. I’ve really been away for 1 year? Where did that time go? Boarding the
plane seems like years ago but I still remember the exact song I listened too as I took off, “Purity Ring- Shrines- Lofticries”.
That Rachel, she seems like someone I once
met.
Recently I’ve had a fascination with time and age.
The other day I wondered if at 34 I would have as hard a time remembering today
as I do remembering being 14? And at 44 will it be even more difficult? Will I
remember that polar vortex that rocked my winter in NYC of 2014? Undoubtedly.
When I think back to myself standing in front of
thirty 16 year olds teaching- well high-five to her.
Times flies.
At 12 years of age I would sit watching ‘Home &
Away’ as Gypsy drove her car and I imagined how it would feel when I was 17
driving my own car and how would it feel to be 17 looking back at thinking of
my 12 year old self thinking of my 17 year old self- are you confused yet?
Fast forward 12 years and I ironically tweeted
about being 17 again.
“You know what I’ve noticed with you Rachel, you
feel something in your gut- your intuition speaks and you act and do what’s
best for you but then your head starts talking and you back track”. My friend M recently said this to me as we sat talking over coffee (my coffee- as usual). This statement couldn't be more right. So often we feel something and we act on it, we don't know why sometimes but we do- they're the times in my life that everything's worked out- often better than I'd imagined. But the key is listening- listening to yourself. The minute you allow yourself to replay old stories, rethink old choices and bring in old reasons for new situations... well you're up that creek without a paddle.
What
you will learn when you board a plane and move across the world?
- You’re absolutely amazing, fearlessly brave &
not to doubt yourself for a single second- because uhh hello! You just chose to
jump off a cliff and landed- on your feet.
- People are not always forever, sometimes they were for just the for right time but not the whole
time.
- Your choices are right- for you- not for
everyone- learn to accept that.
- You shouldn’t have experimented with ombre hair
because your ends will split and you’ll eventually have to face the reality
that a haircut is a must.
- People will hurt your heart but it won’t hurt
forever- I promise.
- There is a difference between wants and needs.
- Bikram yoga will change you body, mind and entire
life- seriously (pictures to come).
- No matter how far you go, those who matter will
still feel like they’re by your side throughout it all.
- You don’t have to have it all figured out all of
the time, sometimes things will figure themselves out.
- Time disappears. Ring your Mum back and listened
to her talk for an hour about everything and anything- it’s important.
- Drink lots
of water, it’s good for everything.
- You will never be ‘ready’ so stop waiting to be.
- Stop stop stopppp stalking/looking/hating on
someone else’s life and choices. It’s their movie, not yours.
- Stop justifying your choices to others. Because
those who matter will simply reply with “it’s ok, I love you, why are you
explaining yourself to me- it’s me”.
- Always be polite, smile and say your pleases and
thankyous- people remember that stuff.
- Stop acting entitled. You’re entitled to a great
life but not to that job or that opportunity, so if you want it, start working
for it.
- Friends will appear in the most surprising ways
at the most unexpected times.
- Be an original. If I made the food choices my
best friend did- I’d be obese. My metabolism isn’t her metabolism. Make your
own choices. Or you’ll be miserable and fat blaming someone else for it- suck
it up princess and grow a backbone.
- Everything is possible with a
little imagination and a lot of determination.
“Why settle for a single home when you have an entire world”
R
xx
