Happy New Year! I hope you’ve enjoyed the festive season and that you’re feeling excited for 2018!
I wanted to reflect on my bumper 2017 in this post. I didn’t know how to collect my thoughts, so I’ve grouped them under eight random headings :-)
Here we go – Karl Desai on…
On travelling
I’ve been lucky enough to visit seven countries (lived in three) across three continents this year. Yeah, it’s been great!
I guess what I enjoy most about travelling is the personal journey. You get to spend time with yourself removed from the constraints of your routine life. You’re exposed to new experiences and forced to live outside your comfort zone… I think I might have said this stuff previously, so let me get to the point.
The point is that although I’ve explored quite a bit of the world this year, it’s really been the exploration of myself that’s been the most enriching experience. Woah, this post got deep real quick. Hold your breath, because it’s only going to get deeper…
On mindfulness
I’ve been actively trying to become more mindful in 2017. I think I’ve always been a thinker and my religion has taught me about spirituality, but this year I’ve stretched myself and the results have paid off. I introduced yoga and meditation into my life (albeit casually) and find I’m now more in tune with myself. I’m also more mindful about what I eat and have successfully limited my meat intake to weekends only. It’s been really interesting exploring new sides to myself.
As a specific example, I remember earlier this year I found going out to bars/clubs a bit same-same. It’d be the same shitty music, in a cramped venue with hoards of people rammed in waiting to get a drink. It appeared like everyone was having a good time, and so I’d think to myself: why aren’t I having a good time – is there something I’m missing? I’d throw down a few drinks to try and enjoy myself more, but I don’t believe there was a true sense of enjoyment there.
Then the revelation struck me – I simply don’t like going out all that much.
And that thought was so liberating. Gaining a keener sense of what I truly enjoy/don’t enjoy and not feeling like I have to enjoy what others might – I wasn’t missing anything, it’s just not for me. There's probably a lot packed into that thought, and I'm looking forward to welcoming into my life more of those things I truly enjoy in 2018. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out with the right people to a nice place, but if it’s an overpriced, overhyped bar in Sydney, count me out please.
On all the shit that’s going on in the world
Yes, there’s a lot of it isn’t there. When reading any of those ‘2017 in review’ articles you can’t help but think the world is turning to shit, and quite rapidly. It’s like when you eat a really good curry and as it’s going down you think to yourself “oh no, this is turning to shit… and quite rapidly!”
If you’re in a similar mindset to me, here’s a poignant 3mins videos which has helped me put things into perspective:
Yes, maybe the world is destined to be shit (and always has been), but we just need to be mindful of what will/won’t affect us – the rest of it is just noise. In simple terms, don’t chew on as much diarrhea-inducing news :-P
On being single
I’ve witnessed a few friends get married this year and a few friends have kids, and I’m so incredibly happy for them!! But if I’m honest, there’s a tinge of wanting underneath that also. I think: hey, I want that, I want babies!
I guess it’s only a natural thought for someone single and on the threshold of turning 30. But then I think about it further and it doesn’t make sense to think about it much – comprende ese? What I mean is there’s no point wanting some things if you’re just going to be agonising over it unnecessarily. Instead, I’ve chosen to focus that energy on myself and I’m finding that to be a more sensible approach.
Practically speaking, a lot of the stuff I’ve done this year would’ve been quite a bit more difficult if I did have a partner, so the timing hasn’t been bad at all. I’m ok with singledom and will let life take its natural course :-)
On this blog
Sometimes I have to check myself when I say I write a blog. In the age of Insta stories, mass exposure to social media and real-time sharing, blogging seems like such a slow and outdated medium to use. When did I become an old man? Why am I doing this.
I’m doing this because I enjoy writing. I enjoy being able to create something and sharing it with friends. I also recall an article I read recently which described how we’re being pumped with so much external information daily that we’re losing touch with our creative side. This blog helps me as a creative outlet.
That being said, I’m going to slow down on blogging in 2018 (not that I was going very fast in the first place lol) in order to really embrace my new life here and only share meaningful posts. I’ll aim to put up one post in the first week of each month :-)
On YOU
Another primary reason I’m writing this blog is for you and your enjoyment! I hope you are enjoying it! And I hope perhaps there’s a thought or idea I share which may in-turn trigger something positive in you. Thank you for taking the time to read this amidst all the other possible stuff you could be reading instead.
Whilst I do enjoy sharing my personal experiences, it’s decidedly become a one-way process. I can see that on average 30 people will view a post, but no one is commenting or responding which makes me sad :-( And no one likes a sad Karl.
If you do like a post or a thought that I’ve shared, please let me know! Even otherwise, drop me a random line when you can. I’d love to hear from you :-)
On enjoying the journey
It’s New Years Eve, I’m sitting in my PJs in my new house in London writing this, before bringing in the new year with new friends tonight and heading back to a job I’m passionate about next week – awesome. I didn’t expect any of this beginning 2017, but here I am and everything’s turned out alright.
I’m not one to plan – never have been and don’t think I ever will be. I’m not trying to be facetious, it’s just that things always seem to work out for me when I appreciate the journey rather than any fixed destination. (Oh jeez, now I think I’m some kind of guru *eye roll*) This quote sums it up well –
I’m proud of myself for all that I’ve achieved this year, especially all the challenges I’ve overcome. With this increasing self-confidence and resolve to be my best possible self, I feel I don’t need a plan for 2018. I’ll just figure it out as it comes, making one small decision after another, and hopefully I’ll be contented sitting somewhere else in my PJs come NYE 2019 :-)
On 2018
This has been a heavy/lengthy blog and I’m kind of running out of steam now! So I’ll keep this short.
I’m psyched for 2018. I feel primed to kick off a new life in London and travel around Europe. If I could picture myself entering 2018, I’d be a captain on a big ship about to take off into the open sea, similar looking to this guy –
I really hope you’re excited for 2018 and achieve whatever it is you desire – you have my best wishes. Let’s kickass in 2018!
I wanted to reflect on my bumper 2017 in this post. I didn’t know how to collect my thoughts, so I’ve grouped them under eight random headings :-)
Here we go – Karl Desai on…
On travelling
I’ve been lucky enough to visit seven countries (lived in three) across three continents this year. Yeah, it’s been great!
I guess what I enjoy most about travelling is the personal journey. You get to spend time with yourself removed from the constraints of your routine life. You’re exposed to new experiences and forced to live outside your comfort zone… I think I might have said this stuff previously, so let me get to the point.
The point is that although I’ve explored quite a bit of the world this year, it’s really been the exploration of myself that’s been the most enriching experience. Woah, this post got deep real quick. Hold your breath, because it’s only going to get deeper…
 |
| Me having a great time on a glacier in NZ. |
I’ve been actively trying to become more mindful in 2017. I think I’ve always been a thinker and my religion has taught me about spirituality, but this year I’ve stretched myself and the results have paid off. I introduced yoga and meditation into my life (albeit casually) and find I’m now more in tune with myself. I’m also more mindful about what I eat and have successfully limited my meat intake to weekends only. It’s been really interesting exploring new sides to myself.
As a specific example, I remember earlier this year I found going out to bars/clubs a bit same-same. It’d be the same shitty music, in a cramped venue with hoards of people rammed in waiting to get a drink. It appeared like everyone was having a good time, and so I’d think to myself: why aren’t I having a good time – is there something I’m missing? I’d throw down a few drinks to try and enjoy myself more, but I don’t believe there was a true sense of enjoyment there.
Then the revelation struck me – I simply don’t like going out all that much.
And that thought was so liberating. Gaining a keener sense of what I truly enjoy/don’t enjoy and not feeling like I have to enjoy what others might – I wasn’t missing anything, it’s just not for me. There's probably a lot packed into that thought, and I'm looking forward to welcoming into my life more of those things I truly enjoy in 2018. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out with the right people to a nice place, but if it’s an overpriced, overhyped bar in Sydney, count me out please.
On all the shit that’s going on in the world
Yes, there’s a lot of it isn’t there. When reading any of those ‘2017 in review’ articles you can’t help but think the world is turning to shit, and quite rapidly. It’s like when you eat a really good curry and as it’s going down you think to yourself “oh no, this is turning to shit… and quite rapidly!”
If you’re in a similar mindset to me, here’s a poignant 3mins videos which has helped me put things into perspective:
Yes, maybe the world is destined to be shit (and always has been), but we just need to be mindful of what will/won’t affect us – the rest of it is just noise. In simple terms, don’t chew on as much diarrhea-inducing news :-P
On being single
I’ve witnessed a few friends get married this year and a few friends have kids, and I’m so incredibly happy for them!! But if I’m honest, there’s a tinge of wanting underneath that also. I think: hey, I want that, I want babies!
I guess it’s only a natural thought for someone single and on the threshold of turning 30. But then I think about it further and it doesn’t make sense to think about it much – comprende ese? What I mean is there’s no point wanting some things if you’re just going to be agonising over it unnecessarily. Instead, I’ve chosen to focus that energy on myself and I’m finding that to be a more sensible approach.
Practically speaking, a lot of the stuff I’ve done this year would’ve been quite a bit more difficult if I did have a partner, so the timing hasn’t been bad at all. I’m ok with singledom and will let life take its natural course :-)
On this blog
Sometimes I have to check myself when I say I write a blog. In the age of Insta stories, mass exposure to social media and real-time sharing, blogging seems like such a slow and outdated medium to use. When did I become an old man? Why am I doing this.
I’m doing this because I enjoy writing. I enjoy being able to create something and sharing it with friends. I also recall an article I read recently which described how we’re being pumped with so much external information daily that we’re losing touch with our creative side. This blog helps me as a creative outlet.
That being said, I’m going to slow down on blogging in 2018 (not that I was going very fast in the first place lol) in order to really embrace my new life here and only share meaningful posts. I’ll aim to put up one post in the first week of each month :-)
If you want to follow my blog: hit CTRL+F to favourite or subscribe
at the top of your screen ^^ to get an email whenever I whack a post up. I won’t
be posting on Facebook/Instagram regularly.
Another primary reason I’m writing this blog is for you and your enjoyment! I hope you are enjoying it! And I hope perhaps there’s a thought or idea I share which may in-turn trigger something positive in you. Thank you for taking the time to read this amidst all the other possible stuff you could be reading instead.
Whilst I do enjoy sharing my personal experiences, it’s decidedly become a one-way process. I can see that on average 30 people will view a post, but no one is commenting or responding which makes me sad :-( And no one likes a sad Karl.
If you do like a post or a thought that I’ve shared, please let me know! Even otherwise, drop me a random line when you can. I’d love to hear from you :-)
On enjoying the journey
It’s New Years Eve, I’m sitting in my PJs in my new house in London writing this, before bringing in the new year with new friends tonight and heading back to a job I’m passionate about next week – awesome. I didn’t expect any of this beginning 2017, but here I am and everything’s turned out alright.
I’m not one to plan – never have been and don’t think I ever will be. I’m not trying to be facetious, it’s just that things always seem to work out for me when I appreciate the journey rather than any fixed destination. (Oh jeez, now I think I’m some kind of guru *eye roll*) This quote sums it up well –
I’m proud of myself for all that I’ve achieved this year, especially all the challenges I’ve overcome. With this increasing self-confidence and resolve to be my best possible self, I feel I don’t need a plan for 2018. I’ll just figure it out as it comes, making one small decision after another, and hopefully I’ll be contented sitting somewhere else in my PJs come NYE 2019 :-)
On 2018
This has been a heavy/lengthy blog and I’m kind of running out of steam now! So I’ll keep this short.
I’m psyched for 2018. I feel primed to kick off a new life in London and travel around Europe. If I could picture myself entering 2018, I’d be a captain on a big ship about to take off into the open sea, similar looking to this guy –
I really hope you’re excited for 2018 and achieve whatever it is you desire – you have my best wishes. Let’s kickass in 2018!
Hey Karl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the read! I quite enjoyed crossing paths this past year during our NZ adventures! Keep in touch :)
Cheers, Mariko
Thanks for the kind words Mariko! Yeah it was lovely meeting you friendly Canadians. Hopefully our paths cross again somewhere down the track :) Till then, best of luck with your studies!
DeleteKD! Good read, mate. Glad you're finding your feet and doing things that work for you and make you happy. I'm glad we managed to catch-up in London. Much love, MJ
ReplyDeleteThanks mate! It was great catching up in London. Look forward to seeing what transpires for you in/out of Sydney this year also :)
Delete