6 / Questions and ideas to ponder on during the week.
On every little thought that popped into my head over the last seven days.
I’ll Start on Monday is a free, weekly newsletter that lands in your inbox every, you guessed it, Monday. We explore creativity and curiosity, plus you get access to resources for your own mini project to work on over seven days! If you like what I do, you can also buy me a coffee to help support my work. It is greatly appreciated. *virtual hugs*
In the style of Haley Nahman, I had a million things on my mind to write about this week, so I have decided to break the newsletter up into mini topics of which I will share with you my thoughts on. Enjoy!
1. The American Election
Let’s just start off by saying how relieved and thankful we undoubtedly all feel now that Trump is OUT of The White House. This past week has been equally stressful as it has been insane and I am in awe at how the American people continued to safely campaign and encourage people to vote, despite the incoherent and brazen opposition that they were up against. I was amazed to learn about Stacey Abrams who after losing the race to becoming the Governor of Georgia back in 2018, shifted her focus toward registering over 800,000 new voters, many whom were predominately African-American, through her organisation Fair Fight, ultimately turning the state of Georgia blue for the first time since 1992.
2. Rejection
I have been pondering on rejection a lot lately due to my job hunt bonanza and I must say, as much as I am used to being rejected on a weekly basis as an actor, it still stings when you open a “we regret to inform you” email or simply never hear back about an application. I am trying to see each rejection as a step closer in the right direction, but in the interim of people saying no to you, how do you maintain your enthusiasm and drive?
3. How do I say no?
How do you say no to things you don’t want to do? How do you stop people pleasing? Stop worrying about keeping the peace? GULP!
4. Holding back
I always hold myself back. Too often I catch those little voices in my mind, quietly encouraging me to sit around and do nothing. Don’t stress yourself over it, they say. Don’t film those sketches for Instagram, do you really want to bother with that? It’s not like it’s going to look professional anyway. I mean, who are you to think you can have dreams and chase them! Sound familiar? I forget on the daily that I should NOT be giving into those voices!! Do you feel the same way? How do you push past these thoughts?
5. Does anyone like me?
Since being back out socialising, I have been worrying about whether anyone really likes me and if I am fun to be around. (I mean if I keep carrying on like this I definitely won’t be fun to be around lol). I often blur the line between what’s simply in my head and what is actually playing out in front of me. I can convince myself that the person I am spending time with thinks I am such a drainer, even when they chose to spend the entire evening with me. Gosh, being a deep thinker is seriously exhausting.
6. Exercise - why do we avoid it?
Why do I avoid working out, going for walks and yoga, when I know it is good for me? I just cannot be bothered to raise a sweat right now. I know I feel so much better after I move my body yet I just, don’t.
7. Men and road rage
I have am borrowing a car for the moment and as I was driving to get my hair done on Wednesday (!!!!!!) and was shocked at the amount of men who tailgated me while I was obeying the rules and driving at the speed limit. Having not driven for a good six months now, I have clearly forgotten what it’s like to be on the roads. I witnessed a guy aggressively give the finger to and verbally abuse a woman who didn’t let him overtake her. Why are men so angry? Why does something so small set them off so easily? Why do they get so upset at women? SO. MUCH. TO. UNPACK.
I hope that during this week you let yourself ponder on questions and ideas that intrigue, concern or ignite you, without any judgement toward yourself. Sometimes you gotta just let your thoughts run free, whilst simply reminding yourself that they truly are just that, thoughts! They don’t have any hold over you (even though they try to convince you otherwise) and they don’t define you. If you have a journal, writing a few pages a day helps get these ideas out on paper and can actually reveal to you a lot about yourself. I know when I commit to this practise, I feel a lot more at peace.
I have been sitting down all day writing and applying for jobs, so I am going to get out and go for a walk, enjoy my nourishing dinner and spend the night watching RHOB. See you next week!
RESOURCES
This episode from Reputation Rehab was incredibly insightful. I do feel the hosts are a bit average and I feel I would do a better job lol BUT I really like their concept and am keen to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
I watch this video multiple times a day and I quite frankly cannot stop laughing. And if you need some remixes, there are some hilarious ones here. I grew up in a Pentecostal church and to be able to say I have broken free from such a place is simply liberating. I hope to explore this concept more in the newsletter when I feel the time is right!
Making this for dinner tonight and I am excited! Going to add some tofu and edamame to amp up the protein. Delish.
Made this in the Instant Pot today and not only is it yummy, it’s super easy and quick! I KNOW, I know it’s 28 degrees today but I love soup and eat it all year round.
MOMENTS OF JOY
Dinner with my sister and our cute, baby wine glasses!
A beautiful afternoon picnic with a dear friend. Bliss.
My weekly market run. It truly makes me so happy and is one of my favourite anchors in my week.
Coffee in a glass, biscotti and my book. Happy gal.
PROJECT
Oops. I forgot to come up with a project this week. I promise I’ll start today and be more organised for next week lol.
