Too young to be feeling this old

So apparently there are a growing number of young people suffering from the quarter life crisis. Forget the dreaded mid life crisis, it seems we will have enough practise getting over our quarter life crisis, just in time to deal with our mid life crisis. So what is this new disease all about? The symptoms are:


1.  Not in a job you had your mind set on

2.      Confusion of identity, usually as a result of work, changing friends.

3.       Insecurity regarding the near future

4.       Insecurity about present accomplishments

5.       Nostalgia for college and university

6.       Financial stress

7.       The feeling that everyone is doing better than you.

The symptoms really try to catch everyone in. What is this quarter life crisis all about? As children we set ourselves expectations, and with no knowledge of what life after school is like, we come into the real world and realise things are not always as clear cut. I remember as a child, I always wanted to work at the World Bank, had no idea, what exactly I would be doing there, or ever how I would get there, but that is where I saw myself, and that was what I defined as reaching my ultimate goal. Looking at it now, it was influenced by what I thought was the most powerful organisation in my child mind and where my parent would feel (or at least I felt) I have really done them proud.

   

Everyone grows up wanting the best for themselves, and to have it all figured out. Be it landing the dream job, have all the money the world can offer, and just know how things will turn out. Then when we start making grown up decisions you realise, the dream jobs are not always so easy to land, and when you do eventually get into a meaningful job, all the things you were hoping to get might have to wait until you either start earning a decent amount, or move up in the working ladder. It is easy to feel like after you have one thing figured out, the next obstacle arrives. It feels like a constant battle.

Seeing as we had the world’s highest viewed sermon on CNN yesterday, this would be a great time to bring in a lesson I got from one of Joel Osteen sermon, I feel he addressed the issue of the quarter life crisis, quite well. He says, 'We really have to have the right perspective, if we are constantly waiting for the mountain peaks to feel fulfilled i.e a wedding, birth of a child, promotion, graduation or winning the lottery, then we can count the number of days we will be living'. Joel message is that these big life fulfilling 'mountain tops' days are there in life, but they do not come so often, promotion, at best once a year, weddings, you would hope once in a lifetime.

Instead of worrying about the unknown future focus on the now, yes your job is not giving you the money you had hoped for, but how was it before you had the job and not having a constant source of income? And the salary that you had you mindset on, how many people are actually being paid that? Is it the industry norm? If it is an attainable figure then by all mean look for another job, that might bring you more financial satisfaction, and job fulfilment. But, if you are looking for Steve Job salary, then you have to be doing Steve Job type of things. 

Just try to stay realistic. These are the thoughts that fuel your ‘quarter life crisis’. If you are looking to improve something in your life sitting around feeling bad about the situation will not make it better, if you feel there is something you can do about it then by all means get off your back side and do it!!!

My point is, if you are unhappy with something in your life, you have obviously been comparing yourself to someone else and thought hmm...if I had that I will be happier. And sometimes these are the things that drive us to attain levels that we never would have. But if on the other hand, it drives you to feel less worthy and less self fulfilled, then you are not doing yourself any favours and are wasting your life away, and merely waiting on the start of your mid life crisis straight after your ages pushes you out of the quarter life crisis.

Do yourself a favour and just have the right perspective.

Miss Whitney

The passing of the lovely Miss Houston was a shock to hear when I woke up. After watching her Oprah come back interview, my heart went out to her and her daughter. It’s got me thinking about doing the things I have been wanting to do, and just live life, with no excuses!!

So this is a tribute from fractured 12^th rib to the gorgeous lady who brought as the fabulous sounds of ‘I’ll always love you’ and my personal favourite ‘Dance with somebody’ (at least I think that’s what it’s called, quickly googling it....and yes, was right all along!)

‘Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself’ and I personally think this is what Whitney accomplished! She really did create her own self, even in the mid 80s when she was not in the mainstream African American themed songs, she created her own style with her icon voice. Let’s not be limited with what the world had branded us to be!

She may be gone but her songs will live forever, and she was her music!!

Have a personal reflection on your own life today, create yourself!

Rest in peace Miss Whitney Houston.

Diets, Diets, Diets

With summer around the corner many people are thinking of crash diets, joining the gym or joining a fitness challenge to get back into shape. this is really infectious! I have witnessed may different diets people are taking up and I must say some are clearly much harder than others:

1. The celebrity shake diet. This is a diet that only allows u to have 2 shakes a day and a meal at night.
2. No carb diet or a fist size of carbs with each meal.
3. The special k diet
4. The water diet!!!! Yes you heard me right, first day, its all about the water and next day is a meal day, and back to an all water day!!!

Hell, I could go on for ever about these diets, and when u think about the amount of money people are paying for these diet groups or programmes, to the tunes of £15 to £100 membership a week!!!!! A week!!!!

I have tried a few, in the hope of getting my ketone levels up too!! (from the weight loss guru, that's what we are trying to get our bodies producing, to burn off the weight).
I have tried increasing my water intake (not water diet, just the intake!!). Bringing in a container of healthy snacks, carrots, olives, cherry tomatoes, almonds with me to work. All I can say is when I sit next to the snack table at work it sure isn't easy, someone should have told me that your waist line goes as soon as you sign the dotted line!

So what practical things have I tried so far, (having said this I have lost 1kg since Xmas, yeah me!)
1. I still take in my carrots and my tomatoes and fruits to work, to beat the munchies!
2. I know squash is probably not the best thing, but I reckon it sure does beat not having water or substituting  it with a mars bar!!!
3. I have joined a few running challenges to help me get to the gym, it's a good motivation, and it does make you feel like you have a goal to work towards, can't wait to get a medal for crossing over the finish line!!
4. I have subscribed to my fitness pal and fatcreep, it really does help keeping track of your weight, and what you are eating!
5. Reduce eating out, or have the less creamy based meals when I go out.
6. Taking my own lunch to work, that way I know what am having.


Now I really do hope I am on track to a great summer. For more weight loss tips check out this blog for some new ideas and inspiration!