Self-Ashtualisation

Three days late but here it is – a list of the 27 things I’ve learnt in 27 years, one I was supposed to write on my birthday on 17 Sep. Better late than never I suppose, so here I am, writing and reflecting. I’m not sure how many of the lessons I’ve learnt are universal or even if they would still apply to me a year or ten later, however change and growth are to be embraced and celebrated, so here goes:   1)     Being flexible and adaptable doesn’t mean you’re being false to yourself. Instead, flexibility and adaptability are qualities that will mentor your evolving self towards greater self-awareness and self-knowledge, opening your eyes to your previously untapped potentials. 2)     Some dreams take longer to come true but that’s OK, or in fact more than – the process is perhaps to be celebrated. As an aspiring novelist and a newbie blogger, I have learnt that writing is not the only act that will get my novel written and that completing blog...

My introspective mood today and my compulsion to write have given birth to this…   1)    Growing up or older and growing? ·          In a beautiful essay the humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers wrote, he asked himself whether he was ‘growing old’ or ‘old and growing’. This rhetorical question for myself was inspired by that exploration as I would like to remind myself not to stop growing by refusing to ‘grow up, full stop’ but continue to grow. Accepting every evolving version of me is also paramount for growth (see no 10). 2)    A (firm) note on multitasking: ·          Which states, ‘Multitasking, Ashley, applies to everything you do. Once more, everything, meaning, not just physical tasks but also mental and psychological ones such as prioritising and healing emotional wounds… One wound at a time.’ 3)    Has the unconditional love I think I have experience...

24 Things I’ve Learnt in 24 Years   1)    Be a writer, not an aspiring one. 2)    Being able to think independently is the greatest privilege, treasure and strength of all. 3)    Don’t just trust your intuitions, utilise them. 4)    Losing friends is inevitable and that is OK. You’ll gain new ones. 5)    Meeting old friends whom you’ve not met for a decade isn’t as scary as you’ve imagined. In fact, it feels amazing meeting those awesome people again. 6)    Holding grudges and not letting go of anger, are extremely destructive weapons that might kill and poison you inside out. 7)    Often times, you can choose your feelings and reactions, the way you can choose how you want to live. 8)    Accepting others’ points of view does not make you a conformist. 9)    You are unique just the way you are. You don’t have to try hard and do weird things to be unique. Just...

I turned 23 less than two weeks ago and I’d been wanting to attempt writing this article since the week prior to my birthday. However, I didn’t feel ready for it because I feared I wasn’t wise enough. The time I spent making excuses and justifications on why I should not write it, were some of the most painful moments I experienced as a writer. My inner conscience would not stop nagging at me and I found myself unable to focus on other tasks. Thank God a wise friend came to my rescue by persuading me to just write it for myself. The writing experience was truly liberating and it’s always fun to see how far I’d been on my life journey. Whilst most of the lessons I’ve learnt are subjective and personal, I believe that there might be a few that are universal. Who knows? I might make a difference in someone’s life. Just one person and that would be a joyous accomplishment. So, without further ado, here are 23 things I’ve learnt in 23 years: 1) The only effective way to lead is by exam...