Hi everyone!
Last year at about this time, I had a bit of a melt down haha! Things have improved a little over the year as I’ve learned to do things “my way or no way”, which has been a bit of a coming of age for me. There’re still things I’d like to do better so I’m learning to be tougher too. But there was something I did last year that I felt was very good for me blog-wise, and that was taking a break.
So, by way of a gift from me to me on my day (guess you’ve worked out what the Celebrate October giveaways were really about), I’m taking the day and a little time off from blogging. But instead of having you come by today in anticipation of a post and have nothing to read, I’m going to share 21 things I’ve learned about myself in the past year. 21 of course, because I’m forever 21! 😉
Here are the 21 things I’ve learned:-
- I can say “No” and mean it; and importantly, not regret it.
- I am not butter. I will not spread myself too thin.
- Short hair lets me get away with being sassy and cheeky so I guess this is a keeper 😀
- My skin takes amazingly well to European skincare brands and formulas. Amazingly well.
- I can’t multitask as well as I thought I could. Something has to give.
- When an opportunity comes, grab it by the horns. You never know when it will come again nor where it might take you.
- Step outside your comfort zone. The view and experience can be amazing and eye-opening.
- You don’t need hundreds of friends; you only need a few good ones that you know you can depend on for a good time.
- There are always people waiting to bring you down and trip you up, so keep your eyes open and watch out for potholes.
- There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Or dinner. Or tea.
- There’s no need to please everyone so long as what you do pleases someone or the ones who matter. The most important person to please is yourself so do what makes you happy.
- Saving money towards a goal forces me to choose my little indulgences more wisely and appreciate them better.
- You know “The Secret”? It works!
- I can talk to a roomful of people on a subject of which I know little and later be told it was insightful.
- I hold up pretty well in an emergency but it could also be perceived as being too cold and detached.
- Family first. Always.
- I have no idea how to address a foreign ambassador! Your Excellency? My Lady? Hey you? Eeks!
- Eat, drink and be merry. Life is too short to waste calories on crappy food.
- Children are a notion beyond my ken. I love my nephew but I could never do half the things my sister does to bring him up; and I salute her for everything she does while maintaining her own independence and life.
- When you’re happy and positive, everything will fall into place naturally. Vice versa if you are negative and angry all the time.
- I am incredibly blessed in so many ways 🙂
And one more – Take a break once in a while from the regular mill. You will be rewarded with better mental clarity, appreciation and enthusiasm.
Did any of my personal life lessons resonate with you?
Be good, peeps. I’ll be back soon 🙂 If you want to catch up on your MWS reading, the navigation bar up top may help you discover some hidden gems. So, go on, have a mosey around the 2832 published posts on the blog. I’ll still be on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so feel free to look me up and chat to me there if you like. Email will take me a while to reply 🙂
xoxo
Paris B
Sze Ling says
October 24, 2013 at 8:44 amHappy days! Everyday! 😀
And I like the butter analogy. Nice. And I agree.
By the way, “forever 21?”. Cheesy…. 😛
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:39 pmHaha what’s life without a bit of cheeze to add flavour eh? <- even more cheesiness 😀
Cecilia Wong says
October 24, 2013 at 8:45 amHappy Birthday, Paris!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:39 pmThank you Cecilia 🙂
AnT says
October 24, 2013 at 8:54 amBLESSED BIRTHDAY Paris B! 😀
May you be youthful and happy always ^_^
~hugs and kisses~ LOL 😀
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:39 pmThank you so much AnT and for the e-card too! Sweet of you to remember 😀
Tracy@Beauty Reflections says
October 24, 2013 at 9:06 amHappy HAPPY B-Day my friend! And have an awesome break! xo
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:40 pmThank you my friend – it was! I have almost forgotten how to blog haha! Can’t wait till you go on yours – it’s wonderful
xin says
October 24, 2013 at 9:12 amhave a blissful big day!
i concur with #16 & #20.
one thing i have learnt over the years is – patience. i feel like a saint sometimes. LOL!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:40 pmAhahahaa thanks Xin and ya. Sometimes I just mentally go Ommmmm….. because what else can we do right?! 😛
fanny says
October 24, 2013 at 9:20 amHappy Birthday Paris.
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:40 pmThank you Fanny! 🙂
Tine says
October 24, 2013 at 9:21 amNail on the head, jedi master. Nail on the the head.
Happy birthday love. xx
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:41 pmThank you Tine <3 See you soon! 😀
Sammi says
October 24, 2013 at 9:25 amNo.11… I live by that motto everyday 😉 one must always love thyself before loving others!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:42 pmYou are absolutely right, Sammi! It’s our sanity at stake!
giddy tigress says
October 24, 2013 at 9:34 amHappy Birthday!! No. 11 is SO true… but what’s “The Secret”?
Nicole's Mirror says
October 29, 2013 at 10:15 amI think she is referring to a book 🙂 I think.
http://thesecret.tv/thesecretbook/
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 5:12 pmThat’s the one! Thanks for helping out 🙂
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:46 pmThank you GT! 😀 “The Secret” is basically the law of attraction. That like attracts like, positive energy attracts positive energy etc. So if you want something, you have to work for it but also to visualize it to make it happen. It’s a bit abstract and there’s more about it here http://thesecret.tv/
Ting says
October 24, 2013 at 9:47 amHahahahaha!! So I was quite right about the reason for October giveaway then. 🙂
Happy birthday to you, and may you have loads of happiness and good luck all year round. Sook sarn warn gerd ka. 😀
Yep most of the 21 things resonate with me, except #19 for apparent reason. hahahaha
You have a great day and I hope your birthday celebration is a blast! xxx
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:51 pmHehe yep! Thank you for the wishes and yes, I had a lovely time off except I think work didn’t get the “time off” memo LOL!
Zf says
October 24, 2013 at 9:49 amHappy Birthday, Paris! May all your dreams come true soon. Wishing you a cheerful and delightful birthday..
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:52 pmThank you Zf! 😀
Kay says
October 24, 2013 at 9:51 amHappy birthday Paris!!! Do have a great one and many happy returns. We are born in the same month. =) Mine is coming soon in 3 days. How birthdays always make us think and reflect about our life huh? Your 21 points are very well said indeed. Forever 21, haha, I always tell people I am Forever 18. Cheers.
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:53 pmHi Kay, thank you and happy belated birthday to you! Yay for October babies 😉 I know, people always ask me why I pick 21. I say it’s the undisputed legal age for me to do anything and everything 😀
Chow Mei Ling says
October 24, 2013 at 10:31 amHappy birthday to you…!!!
It must make you feel so good to have all these wonderful birthday wishes coming your way through your blog. Keep on doing what you love, ok?
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:56 pmThank you Mei Ling and yes, I’m incredibly touched to receive everyone’s well wishes 🙂
liyeun says
October 24, 2013 at 10:58 amI wish you all the happiness around the world. May u remain 21(cough) and learn happy 21 things for next year too. Btw no 17 is ine I hv problems with too….hahaha
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:57 pmThank you Liyeun and yes, I plan to remain 21 forever and ever haha! 😀 No. 17 is quite a hard one isn’t it? I think it’s Your Excellency, although in person it hardly trips off the tongue 😛
Xen says
October 24, 2013 at 11:30 amMany happy returns of the day, Paris! From the sounds of it, you’ve discovered more ways to love yourself positively this year (:
Sending love and well wishes your way!
xxx
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:58 pmThank you Xen! Looking on the positive side has most certainly helped me move forward more smoothly. Highly recommended 😉
Applegal says
October 24, 2013 at 11:31 amHappy birthday!! Wow, I don’t even know whether I can come up with 21 things that I’ve learnt over the past year! What you’ve written are real gems, pearls of wisdom for everybody to learn from. You should do this every birthday! 😀
Have a great birthday celebration and a good break!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:59 pmThank you Applegal 😀 I don’t know if I can learn another 21 things this year, but we’ll see! Never say never eh? 😀
Applegal says
October 24, 2013 at 11:32 amBtw, where did you get the macarons from? They look gorgeous!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:59 pmThey were from Les Deux Garcon – a gift and they were yummy 🙂
JackieA says
October 24, 2013 at 11:38 amBlessed birthday Paris…..a number of things on your list resonated with me!
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 3:59 pmThank you JackieA 🙂
lisa says
October 24, 2013 at 12:00 pmHappy Birthday. May you be happy and healthy always.
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 4:00 pmThank you Lisa – that is truly all one really needs 🙂
CarolT says
October 24, 2013 at 12:08 pmBlessed Birthday Paris! May your journey ahead be like fine wine, getting better with age. 😀
Paris B says
November 3, 2013 at 4:00 pmAww thank you Carol! And like fine wine, make you heady in the process 🙂