Happy Thursday Y'all!
I hope your week is chugging on by like mine is. The weekend is in sight, and I could not be any happier. In just 9 days, Matt and I will be heading off on our adventure to Mongolia. Woohoo!
Speaking of adventures- today I wanted to talk about embracing your own adventures and enjoying life.
It is no secret that Matt and I are having the adventure of a lifetime here in Korea. We have been able to experience the expat life. We fell in love with Korean BBQ. Received stamps in our passports. Rode in tuktuks. Climbed around ancient temples. Learned traditional Khmer food. Cruised the Ha Long Bay. Found a perfect branch to attend on Sundays. Met the wonderful Schmitt Family. Saw Mickey Mouse at Tokyo Disney. Felt the sand beneath our toes in Busan. And much much more.
All these adventures and yet… I still feel like it's not enough. I read blogs of wanderers in New Zealand visiting Hobitton and seeing beautiful stars. I see people visiting Greece and their wonderful pictures of Santorini. I see people back home buying their first homes. Having babies. Finishing Master programs. I read blogs about expats living in Europe and I can't help but feel jealous.
I want to be finishing school. Traveling Europe. Teaching for the DOD. Road-tripping around the US in an RV. Having a cute apartment to decorate. Visiting New Zealand on a long holiday. Spending Christmas with my family.
Really- I just want it all, and I want it all right now.
A few months ago, I found this print from Pen & Paint that was the perfect reminder.
"Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt
I think the grass is greener mentality is common for everyone, but it's hard to deal with sometimes. I bought this print as a reminder to stop comparing my life to others and just enjoy life.
Being in Korea is an amazing adventure, and I know when I'm back in the states- I'm going to want to be reliving my Korea days. I know that one day the bucket list items will get checked off. I just have to be patient. And more importantly- I need to enjoy life now. Try to soak in the present day.
And that's where I'm at right now. Trying not to compare myself to others. Trying to enjoy my final months in Korea. Trying to be patient. But to be honest- everyday is a struggle.
Please tell me I'm not the only one that struggles with this. How do you focus on the present?
Happy Almost Weekend Y'all!
PS- I encourage all of you to check out Lindsay from Pen & Paint.
I'm JUST dealing with the whole comparison being the thief of joy thing. I feel like you wrote this post for me, or that I could have written an almost identical one, just with different names of places. Every day IS a struggle. I have a lot of months left in Moldova (23 to be exact) and maybe it's because I'm on the other end of living in a place, as I've just arrived almost 3 months ago.. But it's hard! I'm trying not to compare myself and my experience to other PCVs in the same country, even, but I usually find myself doing so. I wish I had some advice for you, ugh. I guess we just have to keep trying. Don't forget that your life timeline and everyone else's life timelines can (and should!) be totally different, but that doesn't make one better or more meaningful or more important. You do you, lady.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not alone Cat! I know the expat life can be hard and comparisons are just natural, but it's a struggle to just enjoy. For the record, I'm so jealous of your PC journey. I think what you are doing is amazing. And you are completely right about timelines. That is something to always remember. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Good luck with your next 23 months!
DeleteI struggled this summer with thinking things would be better if I was back home where the weather was nicer and things were familiar. I am working on enjoying my time in Iceland as well because I know I will miss it when it comes a time where I am not living here. And I love that print!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kiki! It's so great to know I'm not alone. You are actually one of the people I always look at and think 'man- Iceland would be great!' It just shows that everyone has these doubts. We just have to love the moments we are in and not have regrets when we move home.
DeleteYup, been there done that. I love that quote you posted because it is OH SO true. Just this morning I was thinking about it to be honest. I've been really trying to focus on each day...one at a time. Making that day meaningful and perfect to ME.
ReplyDeleteWe each have our struggles and we each have our amazing adventures (like your's!), but we just have to make the most of the opportunities we've been given and work hard for ones we want!
Thanks so much for your comment Christy! Making the most of our opportunities is so key. Going out and making adventures is the best medicine for comparison I think. I'm so glad I'm not alone with this comparison think- it makes me feel a lot better.
DeleteIt is SUCH a struggle not to compare my life with everyone else's. As I was reading this post I found myself wishing I could be in Korea too, having those amazing experiences you've been having. And I know someone else wishes they could have the life I have (for whatever reason!).
ReplyDeleteI guess I just try to keep in mind that I am very blessed and that my life is pretty good. And to try to focus on the good things I have now and to dream a little about the future without getting consumed by the 'someday.'
Karen- you are so right! I always forget that I'm not alone in thinking this. And living in the now is so important. There are all these excuses we have to not live life, but we just have to push through them. Enjoying the moment is so important and I'm still working on it! Thanks so much for your comment- it was perfect!
DeleteI have the same issue with comparing my life with others. I feel like I could always be doing something extra! But I forget that I'm doing tons of cool stuff already.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I'm not alone. I always try not to do this- but it's such a hard habit to break.
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