This week's prompt is about achievements.
As I was thinking what my biggest achievement could be, I realised I could not come up with anything tangible. I mean, I led an average life, did okay in school and graduated from university with decent grades, found a stable job and worked at the same company for over 9 years. My health is also generally fine apart from a few scares once in a while. So there was not anything that was extremely noteworthy, if I could put it that way.
Reflecting further, I actually think my "biggest achievement" in the last five years would be I am more comfortable in my own skin. It definitely was not something that happened overnight, but rather, it was something that I came to realise as I grew older and had more life experience.
By being comfortable in my own skin, more specifically, it means accepting who I am as a person. When I was younger, I tend to compare myself with my peers and feel insecure if I am not achieving certain milestones in my life or career. Over time, I realise everyone is leading their own lives and we are running our own race, and it is both unnecessary and stressful if we had to always compare ourselves with people around us.
At some point in life, I appreciated simplicity in life and it is really a process of looking within myself and asking myself what makes me truly happy. And for me, I came to the conclusion that I don't really need a lot of wealth or material goods to be happy. (I know this might sound odd to some people, who relish driving big cars or staying in mansions. And that's fine too!) In fact, I find peace and contentment in simple things like sipping coffee at a cafe or taking a walk in the neighbourhood parks.
If there is any "advice" I could give, I would say life is (sometimes) short so live life to the fullest and be happy. A friend of mine once suggested to pen down 3 things I am grateful/thankful for each day before I go to bed, regardless whether it was a good or bad day. I tried it out for more than a year, and I thought it was a good exercise because it reframed my perspective. Even on a day when I was feeling down, I still had to find 3 positive things, and I then realised actually things weren't so bad after all.
Finally, I thought this weekend's blog was pretty heartfelt and meaningful as it's not often I would look back on my own life and do a reflection. Hope this post offers readers a deeper glimpse of my personality!
Thanks for reading and have an awesome weekend! :)
P.S. I also did a cover photo this time too!