so, its been a minute since i lat wrote here, and i have to say, i did miss it. it wasnt that i left or decided i dint want to write anymore; i just took sometime away to get certain things straight and figure out a few things in my life. lokking back, i think the pause was necessary because it gave me sometimeto reflect and pay attention to things that i probably would not have noticed if i had just kept moving from one thing to another.
there is a misconception about taking time off to rest. sometimes people make it seem like if you take time to rest, then you are not doing enough or you’re somehow falling behind. but the truth is, out bodies arent built like machines, and neither are our lives. A lot of things happen, plans change, and sometimes you just need a little peace and quiet or some time with yourself to figure things out. taking a pause doesnt neccessarily mean you’re not moving forward; sometimes, it is exactly what you need before you can take the next step
so the big question is; what exactly have i been doing during my time away?
Well, I would say I’ve been doing a variety of things, but I won’t go too much into detail because some of these things deserve their own blogs, especially since I’m trying to get back into writing consistently and hopefully posting twice a week.
During my time away, I’ve been trying to figure out my goals and the steps I need to take to achieve them, while also balancing my studies, personal life, health, creativity, and a few new things I’ve decided to explore. There is quite a lot to talk about, so without further ado, let’s get into it.
Getting Back into working out
First on the list of things I’ve been building while I wasn’t writing is something to do with my health. Because, as they say, health is wealth.
For a while, I was living a pretty sedentary lifestyle, and I knew that wasn’t good for me in the long run. At the beginning of the year, one of my goals was to start working out more consistently. The problem was that I had done this before. I would get into it for a week or two, feel motivated, and then somehow find a reason or excuse to stop. It became a cycle of starting, stopping, starting again, and eventually feeling like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
This time, I decided I needed to approach it differently. There had to be fewer excuses and less room for negotiation with myself. I started trying to change some of the things that usually made it easy for me to skip a workout, and eventually, I started going more consistently.
As I’m writing this, it’s been about eight weeks and counting, which honestly feels pretty good to say.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned from this journey is that missing one workout doesn’t mean all your progress is gone. I used to think that if I missed a day or didn’t follow my plan perfectly, then I had somehow failed and might as well stop. Now I’m learning that consistency isn’t about being perfect every single day. Sometimes you miss a workout, something comes up, or you simply don’t feel like going. What matters is that you don’t allow one missed day to turn into giving up completely.
That change in thinking has probably been one of the biggest wins for me so far, and I’m realizing that it applies to more than just working out. Whether it’s a habit you’re trying to build, a project you’re working on, or something else you’re trying to improve, one bad day doesn’t erase everything you’ve already done. Sometimes progress is simply about continuing after the setback.
Finding My Creative Side again
The second thing I’ve been building is my creative side. I’ve been exploring an art community, and honestly, it has been fun and a little scary at the same time.
Putting your work out there and allowing other people to see it can be intimidating, especially when you’re already questioning whether what you’ve created is good enough. There have definitely been moments where I’ve looked at something I’ve drawn and wondered whether it was actually any good. But the people I’ve met through the community have been welcoming and friendly, and I’ve even had a couple of moments where my art was appreciated by other people.
That was really encouraging because sometimes we are our own harshest critics. Something you might look at and think isn’t good enough could actually be something that another person really likes or connects with.
Being part of the community has also reminded me that stepping outside your comfort zone is sometimes necessary if you want to grow. You can’t always stay in your own little bubble, create things privately, and expect to become more confident. Sometimes you have to let people see what you can do, even when you’re not completely confident in it yet.
I’ve also started realizing that being around other creative people can change how you see your own creativity. You get exposed to different styles, ideas and ways of thinking, and sometimes that gives you the confidence to try something you might not have tried on your own.
And I think that’s one of the things I enjoy about art. It doesn’t always have to be perfect. Sometimes you just have to create something, put it out there, and see where it takes you.
trying to build a reading habit
The third thing I’ve been working on is something a little quieter: reading.
I recently went to a bookstore and bought a novel, along with a few educational books that I didn’t buy for class but simply because I wanted to expand my knowledge. Reading isn’t really my strongest habit, and I’ll be honest about that. I can easily get distracted or find something else to do, so I’m trying not to set some unrealistic goal of suddenly becoming someone who reads three books a week.
Instead, I’m starting small. The goal is to read around five to ten pages or maybe one chapter if I’m up to it. The main thing is to build the habit and make reading something I naturally include in my routine rather than something I keep saying I should do.
I also want to start writing down some of the things I learn from the educational books I read. One of the books I’ve started with is The Psychology of Money, and there are several others on my list. I think writing down what I learn will help me actually process the information instead of simply reading it and moving on.
I think this is another area where I’ve had to remind myself that starting small is still starting. Sometimes we set such big expectations for ourselves that we make the first step feel harder than it needs to be. Five pages might not sound like much, but five pages is still more than zero.
So, we’ll see how this little reading experiment goes.
Building a cash hobby
The fourth thing I’ve been working on is probably one of the more exciting ones for me because it combines something I enjoy with something I’ve wanted to explore for a while: building a cash hobby.
Basically, I wanted to find something I could enjoy doing while also potentially making some money from it. I love creative things and graphic design, so naturally, I started thinking about how I could turn some of those skills into something more.
That led me to the idea of starting an online shop.
I’ve already opened the store, and right now I’m in the process of creating the products, figuring out how to present them, and eventually marketing them so I can hopefully get that first sale. And I have to say, starting a shop is definitely not as simple as saying, “I’m going to sell something.” There is quite a bit that goes into it.
One of the things I’ve been trying to do differently is start with the people I want to help rather than simply creating a product and hoping someone buys it. I’ve been looking into who my potential customers are, what problems they have, and how I can create something that actually helps solve those problems.
It’s still very much a work in progress, but that’s part of the fun. I’m learning that building something doesn’t necessarily mean having the perfect product, brand or business plan from day one. Sometimes you have to start with an idea, test it, learn from it, and improve along the way.
So, this is definitely a stay-tuned kind of hobby for both you and me because I’m still figuring it out too.
My last semester and everthing i’m learning
Then there’s education.
I’m currently in my last semester, and surprisingly, it feels a little less stressful than I expected. Maybe it’s because I’ve already completed most of my classes, but things feel slightly different this time around.
I’m still learning a lot, though, and I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many different people and perspectives. Since my major is essentially marketing, there is always something new to learn and explore, whether it’s about brands, consumers, strategy, communication, or how people make decisions.
One thing I’ve found particularly interesting is how much our perception of a brand can influence the choices we make. The more I learn, the more I realize that marketing isn’t simply about convincing someone to buy something. There are psychological factors, emotions, behaviours, stories, experiences, and even our senses involved in how we perceive and respond to brands.
It’s made me look at everyday things a little differently, and I think that’s one of the things I enjoy about studying marketing. The things you learn in class don’t necessarily stay in the classroom. You start noticing them in the world around you.
And perhaps that’s one of the best things about learning: sometimes you don’t realize how much you’ve learned until you start seeing the world differently because of it.
and then there’s the thesis….
Of course, I can’t talk about education without mentioning my thesis.
This has been another learning experience in itself because it’s different from my bachelor’s thesis. On top of that, my research topic is connected to my home country while I’m currently studying here, so coordinating certain parts of the research from a distance has definitely been a challenge.
But at the same time, it’s a challenge I chose for myself, and I think that’s what makes it meaningful. It’s one thing to learn theories and concepts in class, but it’s another thing to actually take what you’ve learned and try to apply it to a real research problem.
So, in a way, the thesis is becoming a test of what I’ve actually learned throughout my studies. It’s not always easy, and there are definitely moments where I question how I’m going to get everything done, but I know it’s something I have to work through.
And hopefully, I’ll be able to look back at it eventually and say, “Okay, I actually did that.”
Finally. i’m thinking about content creation
The last thing I’ve been thinking about is content creation.
I’ve been putting this one off for quite some time. Sometimes I tell myself I’m not ready, and other times I convince myself that I need to do more research or prepare a little more before I actually start.
But I think I’ve realized something: sometimes we get stuck in the research and preparation phase because we’re scared to actually begin.
Preparing feels safe. You can keep learning, planning, researching, and telling yourself that you’re getting ready. But eventually, you have to actually start.
Of course, there is another side to putting yourself out there, especially on social media. There is a certain level of vulnerability that comes with allowing people to see your work, thoughts, personality, or even your mistakes. That’s something I don’t want to ignore.
At the same time, it’s something I want to try. I don’t think I need to jump into everything at once, and I would rather start in a way that feels safe and controlled for me. I can experiment, learn what works, and adjust as I go.
I think that’s another lesson I’m taking with me: you don’t always have to wait until you’re completely ready before you begin. Sometimes you learn what you’re capable of by actually starting.
so, what have i actually been building?
Looking back at everything I’ve been doing while I wasn’t writing, I realize it’s actually quite a lot. I’ve been working on my health, reconnecting with my creativity, trying to build a reading habit, experimenting with business, finishing my studies, working on my thesis, and thinking about finally starting content creation.
At first, all of these things seem completely separate. What does going to the gym have to do with drawing? What does reading have to do with my thesis? What does studying marketing have to do with starting an online shop?
But when I really think about it, I realize that they all have something in common.
I’ve been trying to build different parts of my life at the same time.
I’m learning how to take better care of myself, becoming more comfortable with my creativity, learning things outside the classroom, experimenting with business, challenging myself academically, and slowly becoming more comfortable with putting myself out there.
None of these things are perfect, and most of them aren’t finished. Some are still in their very early stages, while others are things I’ve been working on for months. But maybe that’s okay.
I’ve realized that growth doesn’t always happen through one big transformation. Sometimes it happens through small decisions that don’t seem very important at the time. Going back to the gym when you don’t feel like it. Showing someone your drawing even though you’re unsure about it. Reading a few pages instead of waiting until you have time to finish an entire book. Opening a store even though you don’t know exactly where it will take you. Sitting down and working on a thesis that feels complicated. Deciding that you’re finally going to try something you’ve been putting off.
These things might not feel like huge achievements individually, but when you put them together, you start to see that you’re actually moving.
And maybe that’s something worth remembering, especially when you feel like you’re not doing enough. You don’t always need to have the entire picture figured out. Sometimes you just need to work on the next piece in front of you. The small wins might not feel significant on their own, but over time, they become part of something much bigger.
So, while I wasn’t writing, I wasn’t standing still either. I was figuring things out, trying new things, learning, making mistakes, and slowly building the life I want to live.
And maybe that’s what I want this next chapter of the blog to be about too. Not pretending that I have everything figured out, but sharing the things I’m learning along the way, the things I’m trying, the things that work, the things that don’t, and everything in between.
So, after taking some time away, I’m ready to start writing again.
And hopefully, this time, I’ll stay a little longer. ❤️