Life’s a labyrinth: August 2010

Danielle started a great list on her blog, thinking over the last years an what she learned so far. I really love this idea and try to make a list myself. This is the first part:

1) Never really give up

In the past ten years I suffered some setbacks. Some of them were bigger, some of them smaller. But what I learned was, that it’s always worth to go on, fight, if it’s necessary and worth it and never give up. Sometimes this is really hard and you should balance the circumstances and reasons, if fighting and going for something is worth it, because I think on the other hand, it could also be helpful to decide to let something go. But if you decided to fight, you should do this with all your heart.

2) Have a positive and optimistic attitude

I learned, that nearly everything in life works easier, if you are an optimist. You feel better, the people in your life will come across you in a more friendly way, your plans will work better. In short: being optimistic is worth is.

3) Find some time for yourself

Even if you are working almost the whole day, I think it’s really important to find some quality time for yourself. This also helps, to stay optimistic, even if the times are harder. Last year I was very burnt out and my life was really stressful (like it is at the moment). I had no compensations for my working day. So I decided to use my free hours in the evening in a more deliberate way, doing things that make me happy. I found some new hobbies and took more time to meet the people I love in the evening. This helps a lot and often the day was filled with pleasant anticipation.

4) Don’t spend too much time surfing the internet or watching television

I love the internet, like we all do and I think it’s one of the best inventions ever. But a few years ago, I nearly forgot my real life during my free time, sitting in front of the internet, reading, chatting, writing (I’m no computer nerd, by the way). It was so comfortable, coming home from university and sitting in front of my PC on my couch, surfing the web. But I think even if I love it, the internet never should again take up my whole free time after work.