The definition of achievement

How do you define achievement?

On Monday last week I rejoiced at having a much anticipated day off, a treat after my first month of full time work since June. I had list after list after list of all the things that i felt i needed to achieve and a beautiful 34 degree spring Melbourne day ahead of me. I got rid of the list full of noise, and pointless distractions and focused on what could really be defined as achievement. Enjoying the start of one of my last weeks in Melbourne, for now.

This day of unnecessary pressure around achievement sums up my life. I have phenomenally high expectations of myself and what i want to achieve so am constantly feeling like i am underachieving. So much so that I uttered the words “i don’t feel like i have really achieved anything this year” to a close friend that morning too. I was so overwhelmed with worrying about what i was going to do at the end of my contract that i forgot all that i have actually done. He suggested i write a list, it was the best thing i could have done. I realised that in the last year amongst other things i have…

1.Travelled over land/water from Milton Keynes to Beijing solo

meeting some beautiful, kind and welcoming souls on the way (thank you Vera & Fiona for being wonderful guides and touching my journey with such kindness & love for your cities! Michael, Lindsay, Randy, Connor, Cihan, Ronald, Sofie & Anika the Trans Siberian wouldn’t have been the same without you!)

Enjoyed a super long 3 month holiday.

I went straight to work at 18 and didn’t stop until 31, I never went to full time uni so have never had a long term break from work as an adult. This was such a treat for me, going where i wanted when i wanted for how lng i wanted all on my own terms.

3. Fell in love at first sight with a tall, dark & handsome pilot in Hong Kong, i couldn’t actually voice it at the time as i couldn’t believe it was real. It’s not just movie fodder, that stuff does actually happen!

4. Travelled through Thailand for a month exploring historical sites (and a few shops & restaurants!) solo, including an up country trip and a night sleeping on the River Kwai

5. Almost did a weeks detox, then thought better of it in Koh Samui, eating my way through the island instead!

6. Travelled through Malaysia alone by train, including my worst night in a sleeper car ever (no privacy and lots of noisy teenagers!) With the constant question wherever i went “but where’s your husband?” My well crafted answer, “he’s on his way!” Well he might be right?! I never know…

7. Enjoyed one of the best meals i have ever eaten with a simple “i’ll have what they are having” in Beijing – i had no idea what it was but everyone else was eating it and it looked yummy!

8. Enjoyed three weeks of meeting new random people and exploring food & history in Penang. Including a team of Aussie fighter pilots, a German teacher and some perplexed/impressed Chinese restaurant owners who have never seen a solo female eat as much as i did when i ordered ALL the dishes my hotel owner recommended!

 

9. Arrived solo in Melbourne for 3 a month stint with 1 suitcase, 2 friends and no plan. Penny, Katie & the Hammets thank you so much for every beautiful, loving and kind thing you did to support me in the last year. You shaped my year in so many subtle ways and i will be eternally grateful

10. Went on an adventure filled first date on Christmas day with a self billed “prince” who turned out to be more of a frog. I’m fairly sure i will never do that again, but it was fun all the same!

11. Started my own business and worked freelance on the dark side of marketing (Agency side for clarity!) It was a rollercoaster of entertainment, personal challenge, horror, and meeting some incredibly beautiful and caring people! There is always a silver lining little Liz and Dennis have been super dooper members of my little Melbourne family.

12. Built a fabulous new network of friends through friends of friends and various amazing meet up groups. (Kerry i think the Brits in their 30s of Melbs with be grateful to you forever for bringing us all together 🙂

13. Got fitter than i have been for a while by using the ubiquitous Melbourne trams, my lady bike and committing to a beautiful pilates gym and new running shoes. (Thanks for the tip off Gaynor!)

14. Made a home for myself in Melbourne

My definition of achievement is doing things that make me smile, that empower me with freedom, new experiences and education. I am sure my definition of success will change over time and different things will become important, but for now i am only doing things that make me smile or lead me to the life that i have envisioned for myself. So more of the same please for 2016, as 2015 was a pretty good vintage all things considered.

Thank you to the very good friend who reminded me of all of this, you rock.

Baci a tutti! This cake lady really needs to go to bed now!

x x x