Fame, Travel, Anxiety & Accomplishing Your Dreams/Goals/Aspirations

Well, initially I was going to pre-write this article as a rough draft in handwriting but I figure, why waste the time, I'm just going to get right down to it.

For starters, I'm going to make this a very freelance article. Not perfect, not extremely long but just the right amount to get my message across.

I've been struggling with anxiety, worry, depression, fear and angst all throughout my life as I'm sure most of us do at some point in our lives. So, I wanted to share that you're not alone there. I portray a very confident demeanour (not to seem cocky) and I'm proud of that but inside, sometimes it's killing me.

I feel as though I'm experiencing the infamous 'Quarter-Life Crisis' that everyone talks about and would love to snap out of this state of mind as it isn't a very pleasant one to be in. "Where am I going to be in 5 years?", "Should I have gone to college immediately after high school?", "Is college all a mistake and should I be travelling the world?", "Why aren't I a famous actor being wined and dined by illustrious directories worldwide?" .... Sounds pretty crazy hearing it all at once and it's a little foolish to assume that you could have that all solved by the time you're in your early-mid 20's. I've come to the realization that it's completely normal to feel that way and if you're also someone in your early-mid 20's or even older, I'm here to tell you that it's okay to not know what the hell you're doing yet. It's absolutely NEVER too late to set new goals, follow through on your dreams and get going on those projects you've been putting off. Go for it! Go all in and give it your best, then forget the rest. A lesson that a one Mr. Tony Horton, creator of the extremely successful home workout program (which I use myself) P90X.

I've learned a lot of life lessons in the past year and a bit, and I myself am only 21 years old. May sound crazy that I'm giving life advice at this age but hey, I'm just filling you all in on what I know and have experienced myself to date. Could be some helpful tips in there! ;)

I'm not a professional writer and by far an expert but I am confident in my ability to portray a good story and get my point across to others so they can feel the impact to change their life for the better, as I've done for myself. I'm still very young yet and have more lessons to learn but I'm wise for my age and won't stop learning, ever. Even when I'm 60 years-old and making daily walks to the park.. which, I encourage at any age to be honest, boosts the mental health level.. I always will strive to keep learning. As should you, it'll let you know you're still alive!

As for the fame aspect of this article, that's always been an enormous aspiration of mine as well and while I may not be there yet, I won't stop until I am. That's where my confidence comes into play, if you can act the part, then you can play the part. Not that I'm trying to buy into the adage of, "fake it 'til you make it" but in that sense, it's true. Even on the days where you got up on the wrong side of the bed and nothing seems to be going right, you have to know that that's just one day, or maybe one week of your life that's like that. Please don't take it personally because as soon as we start playing the "victim" card, that's when we get into those negative ruts and blame our circumstances and everything around us for the situations we're in. That just simply isn't true. We ALWAYS have the power to turn things around, leave the past in the past and do what you can with the present without worrying about the future. Don't constantly focus on where you're not at yet, focus on the PROGRESS you're making daily, that's all that counts. No matter how slow, fast, big or small the progress, it's still progress that'll push you towards your ultimate goal. If that goal is fame, travel, sports, music, acting, singing, art or whichever your passion may be, so be it. Never. Ever. Give. Up. On. It.

Confidence is key, alongside a positive attitude, patience and persistence. I've learnt all these lessons myself through a lot of trial and error, online magazines and endless amounts of articles. I've done my research, studied the game of the fields I'm interested in (writing, acting, travelling, rap, singing, art, etc.) and I'm going all for it. Life is WAY too short to do anything else. Another great tip for finding happiness through times of struggle, depression, misery, hardship is to surround yourself with positive kinds of people. Some people will inspire you and some will drain you, choose wisely.

The aforementioned P90X program is an amazing way to kickstart yourself into the world of positivity, progress and happiness. Albeit, not an easy program, it definitely pushes you to your limits and to continue digging further and finding what your made of.. Besides, it'll kick your ass into shape while it's at it! ;)

It took me quite awhile to get motivated to do the program myself but once I actually just put the first disc in and hit play, I was well on my way to achieving my fitness goals already by just taking that first step, and that's what you need to do with absolutely any goal in your life. Trust me, the payoff will be worth all of your hard work but it all starts with the decision to try, just believe me and more importantly, believe in yourself!

P.S. This was not an attempt to force you into doing Tony Horton's P90X program but it was an attempt to get you moving in any way possible to give you more motivation towards achieving all goals in your life! Doesn't have to be a 1-hour workout, it can be as simple as a 10-minute walk or simple jog down the street. So get to your feet, don't skip a beat and then reward yourself with a treat to eat!

P.P.S. This is my first article of the year! Sorry it took so long everyone!

Namaste.

Sincerely, Solace

Travelling Thoughts

Over the past few months, I've wanted to travel desperately and finishing a few episodes of Departures recently has thrown me into that loop, need for travel again. It must become a reality and I will not stop until it is one :)

My aspirations to develop this into a travel blog may not happen overnight as not everything does but perseverance will get me there, perseverance can get anyone anywhere they want/need to be. I guarantee you that. The simple key is: Never. Give. Up.

I will not stop until I've visited the home of Bilbo Baggins in New Zealand. Until I've climbed trees in Capetown, Africa. Until I've crossed glaciers in Iceland. Until I've hiked across bridges in Cambodia. I'm going to fulfill these goals and dreams and I want all of you to be along with me for the ride. You'll get an insider's view of my travels and adventures and hopefully get the feeling as if you're there with me. I cannot make any promises as to when this will start happening but I can make the promise that it WILL happen. Getting there is what will need to fall into place.

This goes for anyone with any aspirations, goals and dreams, I want you to have this same attitude and feel as though there isn't a damn thing in this world that can stop you. We all have bills, debts, struggles and constraints in our lives that seemingly constantly hold us back but once we deal with these issues head on and tackle them, we can move forth onto bigger and better things in our lives. It sounds easier said than done but really, anything is possible when you apply yourself.

Every time I post an article, which this is my sixth, I state how important the mindframe you're in at all times is. Mindfulness is so powerful, yet so many of us have troubles abiding by it and allowing ourselves to live in the moment. This is where you need to physically (and mentally/emotionally) take a step back from what you're doing, inhale a few deep breaths and come to terms with where you are in the present moment and what can be done to better your life moving forward and get you to where you want to be. To be able to do things that you've always wanted to do, since you were a small child. Never let that childish passion die! 

That's definitely not to say that I'm telling you to be immature, I'm merely stating that you need to keep that sense of wonder and explorative nature alive because there's never a point to which you can stop learning, you can always learn more, you can always grow and you can always expand/adapt to life as it comes to you and throws you this way, and that. Keep an open mind, though don't be naive. Be strong, though don't let the world make you cold. Be smart, though never bestow judgement unto others who do not deserve it.

One day I'll make a post from the beaches of Honolulu and I'll be reaching out to all of you and hoping that you as well chased your dreams and continue chasing them, there's never a limit to what you can achieve and continue to create. Never stop, and furthermore never will your adventure either :)

This brief post was absolutely necessary and it's been on my mind since last night, I'm just being me, original and independent. I don't feel the need to conform to some piece of writing that someone WANTS me to write or feels that it SHOULD be a certain way. It comes from the heart and so should all of your actions, never let anyone make you feel bad for doing the things you love, and in your own way. It's you, it's your life and yours only. Live it originally because everyone else is already taken. Namaste.

                                          (Solace)