New Year Musings

I hurtled into 2014 on an aeroplane taking me back to Australia after a cosy Christmas at home in the UK that left me suitably warm and fuzzy inside.

There was lots of this:

And lots of fuss made over these cuties:

And lots of time spent with favourite people:

What has left me even warmer is the sweltering Queensland summer I've returned to. While lolling in an undignified fashion on my sofa in the direct and constant stream of a large fan, fighting the jetlag, I did some reflecting on where I am at with things at the start of 2014.

It's been a strange couple of years up until now in which I've experienced my first bout of real anxiety - not just the usual day-to-day worries, but the kind you need to see a doctor about. Luckily I feel like the worst is behind me, and somehow I'm entering this year with a sense of contentment - something that's felt missing for a while, despite the great things I know I have in my life. I now feel more at peace with my decision to live in Australia, 10,000 miles away from my family and friends. I'm feeling so appreciative of my relationship with my partner, his family and the new friends I have made here in Aus. Yes, I want to improve on healthy eating, exercise and saving money, but I'm taking small steps in the right direction and being kinder to myself along the way. I want to pursue my love of decor by doing a short course. I want to continue to improve my photography. I want to put more of myself into this blog as a creative outlet. I want to move closer to buying my first home. But when I hear the dreaded 'should' word creep into my head I will stop and remind myself that these are things I WANT, not chores I have to complete or things I need to do to impress others. I can choose to do these things or I can choose not to do them. Either is ok.

Sometimes I like nothing more than to curl up with a cup of coffee and browse my way through all the shiny, perfectly styled blog posts out there on fashion, beauty and interiors, but I do tend to fall into the comparison trap. I see all these young, bright and enthusiastic girls who are launching creative businesses and living their passions and I feel like at 31 years old, I'm seriously lagging behind. I have an ordinary job that isn't too stressful (most of the time!) and pays the bills, but I constantly feel pressure (admittedly self-imposed) to discover my grander purpose and to be forging a career path in a field that I love. When I moved to Australia to be with my partner I left behind a teaching career that was going well. It's the most challenging thing I have ever done and the thing that I feel most proud of to date. But when the time came to leave, I was ready to go. I'd had enough. I was burned out. Since then, I've drifted on the wind and haven't really made a proactive decision on the direction I want to take next. That was over three years ago and I cringe as I think of the time flying by. The truth is, I just don't know what I really want (and don't get me started on the question of having children - way too overwhelming!).

But right now, at the start of a new year with its promise of fresh starts and unwritten stories, I finally feel like that's ok. That's allowed. It doesn't mean I am failing. It doesn't mean I have to rush to figure out the answers before it's 'too late'. It doesn't mean that I can't be content with all that I have right now. I have so much to be thankful for and I know that.

From the sea of 'inspirational' quotations that are swirling about the internet these days, I've whittled it down to three that resonate with me the most here and now:

1. 'Make no comparisons. Keep your head down and do your own thing.' - Torrie Asai

2. 'There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.' - Zora Neale Hurston

3. 'You will never have to force anything that's truly meant to be.' - Unknown

Where are you at this new year? 

C

x

An Attitude of Gratitude

'Enjoy the Little Things' Print by The Love Shop via Etsy

I was lucky enough to have my mum come and stay with me here in Australia for the last few weeks and I am so grateful that she did.  Since moving here three years ago I’ve felt a lot of guilt about leaving my family behind and part of me has never quite accepted the fact that I might be here for the long haul. I wouldn’t let myself see Brisbane as somewhere I really fit into and I would feel frustrated that something wasn’t quite right. Being with Mum as she experienced Australia for the first time really put things into perspective for me. She was so impressed by it all and her enthusiasm was infectious. I realised that I have so much to be grateful for and that I live in a beautiful, safe place with heaps to offer. Having the break from work and doing things I enjoy really made me appreciate the little things, like spotting wild kookaburras and hearing them laugh, drinking great wine and people watching by Brisbane River, feeding kangaroos, having the most delicious brunch at a little restaurant called Petrol in Sydney, going on long drives through regional Queensland while taking in the views and spending quality time with my partner’s family and their adorable dog, Buster. So today, I'm adopting an attitude of gratitude.

xx Thanks Mum! xx

Here are a few highlights from our break...

What are you grateful for today?

C
x

Lemon Chia Seed Muffins

I've always been a bit skeptical about baking without the usual wheat flour and butter. I never really believed that a gluten and wheat free cake would taste any good.  Today though, I proved myself wrong, thanks to a recipe I saw on a blog called Slim Palate, which is written by a very inspiring 17 year old. These Lemon Chia Seed Muffins are made with coconut flour instead of wheat flour and coconut oil instead of butter.  In fact, pretty much every ingredient has some kind of health benefit:

• Coconut Flour - high fibre, gluten free, fairly high protein
• Coconut Oil - eases digestion, supports immunity, boosts metabolism, strengthens skin tissue
• Chia Seeds - richest source of plant-based omega-3 fats, high in fibre, high in protein, rich in calcium
• Apple Cider Vinegar - aids digestion, aids detoxification
• Almond Milk - cholesterol-free, lowers blood sugar levels
• Lemons - antibacterial, anti-viral and immune-boosting properties
• Honey - lower GI than sugar (ok, this one's stretching it - honey is still sugar! But a cake has to have some naughtiness!)

Although they don't taste exactly as a cupcake made with butter and wheat flour would, these were soft and fluffy and delicious nonetheless.  I think my only tweak for next time would be to reduce the amount of honey as they were  a  tiny bit too sweet for my taste. Overall though, I'm quite excited to have found a relatively guilt free way of having my cake and eating it! Recipe can be found here.

C x