dreaming at twenty-one

January 30, 2018


I've mentioned this a couple of times already, perhaps one too many, but I don't have any resolutions for the new year. Whatever happens, happens, and I will accept anything new and different into my life. I do, however, have some goals I would like to accomplish. But again, if these don't go the way I've planned them out in my head, I'll gladly accept whatever happens to them. If you're curious to find out what I've planned for this year, please continue reading!

FINISH MY NOVEL (FOR REAL)

I've been working on a fantasy book for nearly two years now and, as I'm busy writing the final chapters, I'm already wishfully thinking about completing this work. Although this is only the first draft, and many frustrating days filled with editing the drafts are yet to come, I'm excited to have a final product of this novel in my hands. It's a long way, but I'm ready for it.

PROVIDE MORE QUALITY POSTS ON THIS BLOG

The feeling of blogging is indescribable, though I'm aware that this may sound odd to some people. But, whenever I write my thoughts onto the little blogger page, publish these writings, and hear what you think of them, it makes my heart flutter. For many years now I have been scribbling down words alongside photos on this blog and quitting is most definitely not in my dictionary!

READ 20 BOOKS 

If a writer wishes to better his writing, he has to read. I want to read more to both improve my English, my writing and my general knowledge. Nothing can make you travel more than books do and I love getting lost in the creative space of a writer's hand. Last year I wasn't in the right space of mind to read often, but this year I'll be making a conscious effort to read more.

PRACTICE MORE RAD SELF-LOVE

I am worthy of love and respect, from both others and myself. It's so easy to lose yourself in daily routines and worries. People struggle with burn-outs, stress and self-hate so often it's truly saddening. If we all spent a little more time on being aware of ourselves and our limits, how much of a better place would the world be?


TRAVEL TO 5 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Although I have been living in a different country for nearly six months now, my heart is aching to discover more beautiful places in the world. Ever since I was a little kid my parents took me to the most wonderful places and the wanderlust has never quite disappeared. 

LIVE A MORE ZERO-WASTE LIFESTYLE

Plastic makes me feel rather anxious, and so should you. It either takes centuries to break down or worse, it never does. I'm already making sure I buy and use less plastic, but this year I'd like to make a conscious effort to reduce my waste and reuse whatever I can.

These were my goals for the year and I'm honestly super curious to get to know yours! What's something you'd love to achieve in 2018? 

memories aren't made in the gym

January 11, 2018


Some days I have to get something off my chest, something that's been bugging me for quite some time and somehow has to put into words. Some kind of speech waterfall, where words pour out of my mind onto paper, or in this case, a blogpost. I don't think I'm talking nonsense when I say you have been somehow influenced to change your body this year. But it's for a good cause, right? Be that fit version of yourself you've always dreamed of? That abs-flashing creature who makes everyone's bottom jaw hit the floor upon entering the room. 

New Year's resolutions, commercials on television or on social media around the 1st of January often involve new ways to diet, restrict your calories until you end up binging on the first bag of crisps and sweets your hands can reach, or getting a gym membership. You've heard of the masses, overflowing the gym during that first month of the year, to then start slacking in their workouts, drooping out with their tails between their legs to never return to that dark place. Until the first of January exactly one year later, of course. 

I guess you can see what I'm getting at by now. My endless frustration of people trying to change their bodies to fit into the ideal image of beauty, produced and reproduced by society and our actions. Then follows the frustration and realization that ends up in tears and anger, towards yourself and others. You may never become that person with the abs, the slim waist and that muscular upper body defined like Zac Efron's in Baywatch. Why, for heaven's sake, are new years resolutions about changing ourselves, as if we weren't good enough before? As if, for some reason, we wouldn't be accepted by society because we aren't slim or fit enough? An inch more or less won't make people love you that inch less. In fact, when you start to realize what a wonderful human being you are, you will attract more love and happiness into your life than you could have ever dreamed of.

Dreams shouldn't involve scales or measure tapes, they should be about making unforgettable memories and living your best life. Memories aren't made in the gym and calorie-less salads don't bring a smile to your face. Maybe, for instance, our resolutions should involve loving ourselves a little more and caring a little less. Weight shouldn't define our happiness, and it has never been a reason for joy. By projecting ideal body images media only create an environment where eating disorders can thrive. Oh, how overjoyed you would be if you would fit into that one size smaller, how you would love your life if the scales noted another weightloss victory. I'm not saying media are the sole reason for the development of eating disorders as it is a mental disorder created by both the person, the possible traumatic experiences in their past, and their environment. But ideal body images are one of the leading causes for body dissatisfaction, and we cannot let this influence us without showing that there is another way. 

If your resolution was to lose weight, train more, become leaner or anything that involves changing your body in some way or another, scratch it. You won't become more you by having the perfect body, you are already that one, special human with wonderful qualities that show through when you accept who, how and where you are. You are a miracle.

Latest Instagrams

© Fashionatic. Design by FCD.