I guess this should be called 'how to fix (a part of) your life in an hour' 

Whether you have the day off (like me) or you decided to be productive in the one hour free that you have today (good job, I'm so proud) YOU CAN DO THIS. NOW. 

First of all make the goal, then go by the rules that I have laid out for you. Here's how it's done in your little head: 

GOAL: Be better at doing things straight away. 

10:11 made goal

10:12 texted friend I've been meaning to text

10:33 finished coffee, mug goes in... Dishwasher that needs to be unpacked. I'll just do that la-- fine I'll do it now. 

10:41 found out Sephora opened in Australia wahoo

10:47 gosh that coffee machine area is dirty - does that mean I should clean it 

Fine I'll do it now. 

10:50 it's so hot I want to go to the beach 

Gets ready

Where are swimmers

Room status: messy. 

If I do this in 30 mins it will still be prime time for sunburning. I mean baking.

Okay fine I'll do it now. 

First rule: remind yourself in your head, listen to the little voice of your conscious and actually do what it tells you because If you create a neural pathway to hear the voice and NOT do it, you're screwed. Or you just have to work harder to fix it. Your problem not mine. 

Second rule: be realistic and use your common sense, even if you don't have much. If you've already started cleaning your mirror, don't get distracted by the fact your arms need a workout, now is not the time. You are cleaning your mirror. Then you may progress to doing some push ups. 

Third rule: don't try to do it all. You can't build character in one day, even though sometimes I wish I could. So just choose ONE thing you know you would help you to become a better person. 

Last rule: don't be negative and beat yourself up. If you fail, keep trying. But actually do it, don't just post an inspirational quote on Instagram to make yourself feel better. TRY AGAIN NOW. 

Flashbacks to my 11 year old self

I was busy having life revelations when I discovered the 11 year old girl in Brazil. I began having flashbacks of my life as an 11 year old, full of day dreaming of future opportunities, wondering about the possibilities life would bring me, and also discovering the pains and torture of entering into teenage-hood.

Though this story is incredibly common (or maybe I know so much about human trafficking, and no - not from Taken) I was so glad that news.com.au posted this story. Not because I enjoy reading dramatic stories, which seems to be the grabbing point for many, but because I felt like the way this article was written was actually raising awareness of not only the issue but that there are organisations (such as 'The Pink House') that are actually doing something to help. Hint hint. 

What's crazy about this story is that this 11 year old girl isn't just one case, or one of many cases: the average age of trafficking victims is 12 years old.

What I'm listening to: All of Me by John Legend

news.com.au

As I said, there are many stories like these, but what took me by surprise was that I actually envisioned my life as an 11 year old. I was awakened from the illusion that life was tough and there was nothing I could do about - because we actually can do something about the swings life takes at us.

To understand that this girl, and many others, has been put in a situation that she can't change on her own, that she hasn't chosen to pervert herself, or even slept around just to keep things interesting, genuinely stirs me.

This isn't a problem because there are a few creepy people out there that just need to go to jail. There is a HUGE market for it. Everywhere.

There is an estimated 27 million people in bondage in our world, which means that millions of people actually want this. Not just that they are okay with it, they want it. Knowing this makes me chill slightly. And not in a chilled out way, in a blood turns cold kind of way.

This post isn't about ruining your life or making you feel incredibly guilty, but hopefully you have been briefly enlightened to this issue. All I aim to do is to share my thoughts on this topic, without shocking people or making anyone to feel uncomfortable.

There is more information on this topic here and if you are interested in helping in any way the A21 Campaign is a great place to start with 21 Ways to get involved. They have constant updates on what's going on including convicted human traffickers.

I am also interested in reading Matt Roper's Highway to Hell which the article from news.com.au is based on and I will share my thoughts after I have finished it.

Much love

B

You can't do anything, but you can do some really cool stuff

In the midst of gusty winds, ice-cream drippings through the cracks of fingers and stomach-kicking laughter, I learnt exactly what I needed to know: you can't do anything you want, but if you work hard you can do some really cool stuff.

Last night I received the pep talk I was looking for from someone who I have always admired - My cousin Grace. What I loved was her passion about hard work. Most Gen Ys tend to avoid anything that involves hard work and dream about the ultimate life while doing the absolute minimum. Being stuck in this ridiculousness is hard, but getting out of it requires real hard work. 

What I'm listening to: Of the Night - Bastille

We all have or have had great dreams of what our lives will look like - at least I have always dreamt of the future (since I was about 7). I used to dream about things like performing or owning my own business. I got to 14 and with the help of one of the most inspiring person ever, Glen Gerreyn, I learnt how to dream big and rediscovered what I actually always wanted out of life (from a 14 year old's perspective). However when I turned 16, what I thought was reality set in, and I started choosing to make decisions based on a mediocre achievable lifestyle. Until now I had completely forgotten about any possibility of working hard for anything.

Though it feels like I'm still living in the phase of I want to be doing and I am going to be doing, I'm moving in to the I am doing. 

Don't forget who you are and who you have always wanted to be, even if people tell you that you aren't good enough.

I think that's enough to think about for a few days.

Much love,

B

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Tumblr 

Settling is not in fashion

As I wandered the streets of Darlinghurst in the pouring rain with nothing but a coffee and a cold sense of apathy towards my early-finished exam, for the 4th time this week I reminded myself of a dream that I've had since I was 7 years old. 

What I'm listening to: Rude - MAGIC!

In your first year out of school, it's the popular thing to do to not know what you are doing. I've always gone against the crowd and starting this year - I knew exactly what I was going to do. I'd start a degree. But what's wrong with my perfect picture is that I never considered being completely apathetic towards it, and how that might just be a huge problem. For me anyway.

For this brief post what I'd actually like to say is how important it is to be passionate about something. I've had so many dreams growing up and for some reason when it came to the age of beginning life something inside of me decided it was too hard to achieve. 

Despite what many say, settling for things has never been my style and it's definitely not is fashion.

Much love, 

B

Twitter // Bloglovin' // Tumblr 

DIY Frames

Evening wonderful people,

What I'm listening to: Close to you by Neon Trees 

First of all I'd like to say, I'm trying something new and adding whatever song I am listening to as I blog! Thought it could be fun. Anyway, back to reality. Or something.

So I stumbled across this pin on Pinterest, and got inspired to finally make use of my ikea frames. Now I know my handwriting isn't nearly as pretty as the original but it's so much fun!

I chose to use the original backing of the photo frame as the background for a cool textured effect, but I'd love to play around with some fabric or wrapping paper.

All I needed to use was a permanent marker, which easily comes off with methylated spirits. This is great for me since I'm fantastic as making mistakes when I need something to be perfect!

Here's what I've done. It's so simple and easy - I love it!

 - Beth Joyce x