I was casting about for something to write about, and took a dip into my archives. Another subject had come to mind, and I had written a piece about it. But when I looked at the timing and the date, I realised that there was something else I should be writing about – Gratitude.
How easy it was for me to forget my little annual ritual!
It has been a little tradition of mine to adopt the American holiday of Thanksgiving which comes around towards the end of November each year. We after all, adopt so much else, another holiday wouldn’t hurt! 😛
We don’t have a similar celebration here, but I often think we should, if only to remind ourselves that we have something to be thankful about. Getting your hands on that latest sold-out eyeshadow palette does not quite count 😛
So, as you read this, I want you pause for just a few minutes in your day, and think of 3 things you’re thankful for. If you’re feeling crappy, it might put your problems in perspective 🙂
Let me share mine 🙂
The past 3-4 years have been tumultuous ones. The start of my 4th decade did not quite go as well as I hoped. But this year feels a little different.
This year, I find myself a little more settled, a little more focused, and a little more thankful for what I have, as opposed to dwelling on and eating myself up over what I don’t. So I’ll share a few things of what I’m thankful and grateful for, and if you feel up to is, pen yours below. It’ll put things in perspective 🙂
People who trust and believe in me
This is both in the professional sense as well as in the personal sense. For this platform, I am incredibly thankful for brands and people who still choose to keep in contact and liaise with me on little projects, despite the fact I don’t boast of tens or hundreds of thousands of “followers” on Instagram.
They allow me to write and do things at my pace, to be critical and honest and to have free reign over my content. They tell me that they trust me implicitly and in return, I try my best to not abuse that level of trust.
I am thankful and ever so grateful that there are people who understand that there is still a space and place for written content, in the sea of beautiful visuals, and who are willing to work with me on that.
Being able to spend more time with my parents
I understand that not everyone is privileged enough to be able to be near family, or to have a good relationship with their parents and family. My commiserations if that happens to be you. But if you’re away from home, and maintain a good relationship, now might be a good time to pick up the phone and give them a call 🙂
This year, I found myself spending a little more time with my parents, due to my more flexible schedule. We have lunch some days in a week, and dinner at others. They are your typical Baby Boomer Asian parents with a brusque, strict, disciplinarian approach. But I still run back to them when I have problems cos I’m just a child who happens to be over 40-years old LOL 😀
I am otherwise thankful that I am able to spend this much time with them, and to travel with them, because I realize that that is a privilege. But I highly recommend also having your own space to retreat into. We love our families, but sometimes, we just need our own space 😉
Finally conquering bronzer!
Oh yes, I can safely say that I’ve well and truly conquered how to use bronzer, and I’m very happy about it! 😀 It only took me 15 years of wearing make up to figure it out LOL!
The reason I’m thankful for this is because I’ve realised just how much better I look with just a touch of warmth on the skin. Before this, I used to think that a bronzer was all about looking tanned or sculpted, and that clashed with my natural complexion and makeup preference.
Now, I understand better that a bronzer can also add warmth to your skin, which tones down any paleness, makes foundation look more natural and makes you look “healthy”. I call a bronzer a “face warming powder” because I opt for very light shades that do little but add a hint of warmth.
Thanks to this revelation, and to finding the right brush for my purposes, bronzer has found a permanent place in my daily makeup routine 😀
YOU!
Finally, but never taken for granted, I am thankful and grateful, always, for every single one of you reading this. I realize that reading blogs seems almost passe these days, and comments tend to be much fewer and further between.
But I know people are reading. And I know you share your thoughts with me, if not here, then on Instagram or a private message, or in email. I know you’re still out there, and for that, I thank you 🙂
What are 3 things you’re thankful for?
Share if you like, don’t if it makes you uncomfortable. But have a little think anyway and you may realise that it usually is about the little things that make you smile, not the big, complicated ones 🙂
Paris B
What a lovely post. You never fail to make me smile. I am grateful for your honest reviews. Like you, I have recently discovered how to make bronzer work. Yes, you are extremely fortunate to to still have both of your parents. It’s too easy to take them for granted. Again thank you for the wonderful posts.
Thank you so much Jan, and I am always grateful for your kind comments too! Hurrah to both of us for finally making bronzer work – it is such a game changer isn’t it?
1. This morning I had breakfast with my parents at a cafe right next to my office buiLding and it hits me that most of my coLLeagues don’t even have time to eat breakfast with their famiLy on weekday morning. So here I’ll foLLow you for a bit – I’m grateful for my time with my parents. Only God knows how much I have left.
2. I am gratefuL that I can find my way to stand out yet stiLL fitting in. Does this make any sense? :p
3. I am gratefuL for this blog 🙂
Hi Amalia, that is so sweet of you to enjoy my blog! It means so much to me 🙂 I think it’s lovely that you hang out with your parents. I do think that they appreciate it as well, and I’m sure they enjoyed their time with you! And yes, I totally get you standing out yet fitting in. It’s about being an individual – more people should understand that, rather than point out differences, when such differences could be celebrated instead.
What a nice and lovely post to read. <3
2018 gratitude: my heart surgery went well, and I much much better now. *now can safely rockNroll dance*
2018 gratitude (makeup category): able to buy dior glow in shade berry during sephora black friday sale. (no discount = no buy hahahhahahaha)
Heart surgery! I am glad to hear that it went well Christina. Here’s to rocking and rolling everyday! Isn’t modern medicine wonderful? 🙂
I am thankful for my family’s good health and my health. I Wish you health, love and happiness, to you and your family. Big hugs from Greece!
You are so sweet Amalia! And good health is never ever to be taken for granted! Big hugs back to you! <3
Good health as a wish, comes first in Greece! Maybe the poverty and wars in the history of my country, made people appreciate good health, because like eldests says, when you have good health, you can do anything , even rebuild everything you have lost. ?
Thank you for this post! Here are the top things I’m grateful for in no particular order…
1) FAMILY – I’m blessed to have family who I genuinely enjoy hanging out with
2) GIRLFRIENDS – my safe haven when I need a listening ear that goes beyond hearing the words I speak, but also, getting me at the level of my ‘heart’.
3) JOB – I’m in a job I genuinely love!
4) BF – I have a dude who loves the lovable and unlovable bits of me. Lol.
Thank you for sharing Estherlimlim! 🙂 What jumped out at me was that you had a job you love and that is something very unique! Well done 🙂