It was at that very moment when the clock’s long and short hands aligned itself in perfect symmetry to welcome the year 2012 that I made a sweeping declaration to devote the upcoming 365 days to my own pursuits and endeavors. 2011 was a year of exploration and experiences, but now that I think I’ve found what I was looking for (ie: myself), I think I’m quite ready to sit back, relax, and do things that I love.
What was it that you told me? Do what you love and do it often? Besides, we only live once, we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves and dwell on the shoulda’, coulda’, woulda’s.
So it’s been 20 days to date and in the said time frame, I’ve managed to:
- Blog more frequently (Not exactly twice a week but a little bit more credit here, guys)
- Shop less extravagantly (if at all, considering I haven’t gotten anything during the on-going sales)
- Talk to my close friends sincerely and truthfully (no holds barred)
- Continue to fall in love unapologetically (I love that gorgeous white-gold YSL clutch to death that maybe, I would sell a kidney to acquire one, and yes, I love you as well, maybe a little too much that I’ll most probably sell that white-gold YSL clutch I covet if it were the only way I can have you forever)
- Travel like Crazy
Atrocious, right?
So this year, I’ve decided to visit and re-visit a few places without aiming to go to the malls (but I won’t all-out exclude it from my itinerary)—there’s Palawan for February, Boracay for April, Taipei for mid-May, Singapore for end of May, China on third quarter, and Korea for November.
For my upcoming trips, I’ve made a promise to myself (and the people I’m traveling with) that I would pack light (in addition to wearing zero makeup but that’s another story for some other time). See, I’ve this tendency to over-pack prior to my trips and the thing is, when I’m out of the country, I end up coming with thrice the baggage I initially had. So apart from not over-packing, I’m also trying not to acquire excess baggage—trying being the operative word here.
Excess baggage is a tiny, horrid thing in one’s journey.
It’s an indication of compulsion, impulsiveness, and lack of self-control. Guilty as charged!
It’s not necessarily a bad thing since at times it’s unavoidable (found a cute dress that could double as formal wear for my sister’s wedding at half the original price, so why not?) but unless it’s an offer that’s too good to pass-up, then pass on it.
By now, I’m hoping you’ve caught on to the double-entendre.
Life comes with a lot of excess baggage, some make you who you are today and that’s a good thing but not really good enough for you to hold on to that long, while others aren’t even worth holding on to. To the things that make you stronger, live and let go. To the things that you do not need, just let go.
I’ve held on too long to a lot of things—some of them matter, some of them don’t but in the end, I held on longer than necessary to a few certain things that it was no longer healthy for me. So now, I’ve learned to let go of friendships without trust, friendships built on utility, relationships that were meaningless, ideologies that were self-serving, wants that were completely selfish, fears that were unfounded, and visions that were completely ridiculous.
I call it a subliminal detoxification.
In lieu of all those that I’ve removed, I’ve had: select friendships built on sincerity and utmost respect for one another, valuable relationships teeming with unabridged and unconditional love, ideologies that promote self-betterment, wants that benefit the majority, the courage to try new things and learn from it, and realistic goals that lead to future success (and no, fat six-digit paychecks aren’t really a gauge of happiness and neither is it gauge for self-fulfillment).
So here’s to a good year!
There might be a few bumps down the road but this time, we’re a year wiser.
I think 2012 will be good.
2012 just might be my year.
Leaving for Subic in a bit, hope you’ll have as much fun as I will!
