New Year, New Goals, New Website

Hi All,

I have made some changes to A Written Revolution. I have decided to expand the business which means a shift to a new and improved website, new services and the cessation of my blogging on this page. My apologies that it has taken this long to inform you, I have been working tirelessly for quite some time to make it happen. I thank you for following me since I began this blog back in 2012, it has been an excellent journey full of learning. I have appreciated every single one of you for following, commenting, emailing and connecting via this blog, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and email. To demonstrate my gratitude I am offering a 20% discount to my loyal supporters who have followed me since the beginning. You can apply this discount to any of the services on my new website, you simply need to go to the new page (listed below) chose a service, email me on julia.k.trask@gmail.com and I will deliver a personalised quote to your inbox with the service rendered. This offer is valid till midnight December 31 GMT 2016. You do not need to use the service by then but you do need to book it in.

I hope you continue to follow me as I take this next step in my writing career. Thank you again for your support. Here are the links to continue to follow me. It's worthwhile noting that in a few days time I will be releasing a freebie email course for those who want to know how to kickstart their business. It is based on my four years of learning on here and also the past 6 months when I turned to full time writer and business owner of my own company. I look forward to connecting soon. Enjoy the lead up to Christmas.

See you soon,

Julia

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The latest

Hello lovely people its October! How crazy is that! Reality hit yesterday when I noticed that I have been in London for just over 18 months! I am an old hat now! Its been a busy time in London since I returned from the United States.

I have moved to Surrey. Everything is travelling nicely although I'm still waiting for Jude Law to drunkenly turn up at my door for a beverage. Surrey is absolutely beautiful, its close enough to London but it has no hustle and bustle and the streets are seriously beautiful. I'm living with a Kiwi teacher so its like ANZAC day everyday. I always thought as an Aussie in London sharing a flat with a fellow Aussie or Kiwi (Aussie wanabe) would be the wrong way to experience London and the UK but actually I was wrong. Its freaking amazing. I've always known how relaxed and fun loving Australians and New Zealanders are but I thought living with Aussies abroad was moving my country overseas and hence why I never purposely went looking for it. You know what, I don't care anymore. In the couple of weeks I have never laughed so much nor been so relaxed. When I get home I am home. No eggshells. It is an amazing feeling.

The experience has reminded me of what home really is. You always read quotes about home being about people not places and you know what that's exactly it. As a 30 year old (oh I just said that out loud!) I've been beyond sharing with randoms for about four years now but I gave up on the luxury for the beauty of travel. It drove me damn crazy at times and drained my bank account when I'd rather stay out then go home but now I share with someone I know and who understands all my stupid jokes because well....culture.

I am very grateful for my new roomie. I thought I may be entering another house that had virtual roomie contracts that rivalled Sheldon Cooper's so I feel blessed it's a far cry from it. I cook half of the week, we exercise each day together and we happily tell each other 'space needed' if me time is necessary. Coming home at the end of the day knowing dinner is going to be cooked is what I imagine being married to a lovely man is like. Bliss. My roomie knows I appreciate her and vice versa. No faff. No problems.

This relaxed environment has meant my long days and achieving goals has been possible. This month I've rolled out A Musing A Day. So far its been effective, there are followers on Instagram who are enjoying the quotes. I'm still looking forward to seeing what others create. Share with me!

I have been developing some exciting new products for you that I can't wait to share. These will support writers, children and parents to build the love of literature further. As always I have been committing to my healthy lifestyle which helps make kicking goals easier. I'm pleased to say Lisa Gray from Melbourne, Australia has begun her training with Stevie Compagno for a month and I'm sure she'll be seeing excellent results soon and making positive progress in all aspects of her life. The past month I have started taking on personal training clients myself, training clients in London and helping them to achieve self confidence, gain and maintain their health. It's such a positive connection to make with others. It's great to hear women building confidence, losing their excuses and developing finite goals. I think my clients feel as though they gain the most but talking goals and working hard frequently simply allows me to be more focussed and strong willed so I am utterly grateful for them.

The next week or so I will continue to create. I look forward to unveiling everything on offer for you, it is exciting times. In the meantime I hope you enjoy following on with A Musing a Day on Facebook and Instagram, sharing your posts. I have posted a video on the facebook page on Self Confidence so take a look, share any comments you would like. Whatever the remainder of your week brings I encourage you to have an open mind, like my moving experience you may find it is one of the best things that happens to you.

Summer lovin'

Summer has finally come to London! The legs are out and the layers are off so there's no time better than now to celebrate the best things of summer.

1. Work no longer feels like it solely consumes your life. You wake up to light and there's hours of light beyond working hours so you can enjoy life to its fullest.

2. People are happier. Enough said.

3. No more layers! After months of carrying jackets and scarves merely to take them off inside you can now wear your flip flops (I really want to say thongs!), leave the jumper at home and throw on your sunnies.

4. The weather is glorious! There is nothing like summer in the northern hemisphere. London is particularly beautiful- flowers are blooming, the Royal Parks are stunning and the most amount of fun, park fun, is free!

5. Everyone's keen to socialise and there's a huge array of events to sink your teeth into. Your calendar ends up booked to the brim with fun!

6. You can exercise without freezing your toosh off and you have more time or at least that's what your brain think that's to those rays of sunshine.

7. Flowers. They are in bloom and can be smelt from afar, easily brightening anyone's day.

8. Icecream. Need I say more.

9. Swimming! You can now dorn your togs (swimsuit, yes I am from Queensland) and loll about in the ocean, swimming pool or take lovely trips to the beach. My favourite UK spots are Cornwall and Broadstairs. In Australia you can't skip Rainbow Beach, Lennox Heads and Byron Bay.

10. It's pamper season. Therefore it's perfectly acceptable to get a pedicure, manicure, every wax under the sun, a new haircut, new clothing and feel fresh. After all it's not just about pampering your protecting your fellow Londoners from seeing your manky feet right? That's what you'll tell your budget anyway! Lap it up until your winter boots steal your pedi prowess.

There you have it only 10 of the best parts of Summer. It is a truly magnificent season; it's a major reason why I love London because right now is when London comes alive in all its glory. Enjoy it lovelies! As an Australian I am going to soak up every second of it, make sure you do! Winter will come soon enough so make the most of every blissful second!

Till next time...

I don't get it! WARNING: graphic images

May 24 2016, it's 101 years since the Second World War ended and we thankfully ended a regime that had horrific consequences on 6 million people, it's also though a year where some of the most powerful politicians  stand happily blind to rape, murder and torture in West Papua. I don't understand. So I am writing this asking those politicians to educate me, as an example of the people you serve, why do you think this is right? 

In 1969 the United Nations agreed that West Papua should either remain part of Indonesia or become an independent nation as part of 'An Act of Free Choice' only to have Indonesians infiltrate and coerce the ruling against the elders and unjustly deny the Papuans the right to their free choice. Now, 37 years later the Papuans haven't just lost their choice they've lost their entire right to human life at the hands of the Indonesians. So United Nations where are you now? Where are the leaders of these countries as women and children are raped, as the entire race is tortured in front of their peers? As individuals speak out for their right to be free and are jailed and murdered for doing so? Or is it too easy for you to sit in your comfortable homes, living your comfortable lives and think 'that's not my concern?'

As a University educated woman I fail to understand how politicians or any human being can sit by while this happens. As an Australian I've never been more disgraced that we have valued our Indonesian counterparts more, holding them to a greater esteem while they commit genocide- an act Hitler himself was outlawed for worldwide. I now fully understand how our Indigenous elders feel, watching in my lifetime, an atrocity unfold and our leaders failing to care. What's wrong with you? Or is it not real to you because it's not your family, your culture? 

Everyday my well educated mind fails to grapple with the failings of human kind around this issue. The greatest sadness is that I see in the most blatant of ways that some people (I can't say all because UK leaders, Australian Green Party leaders for example do) simply do not care about human life. What I'm struggling with is the fact that I have to somehow vote for those people. How? When did you forget, UN and politicians worldwide that you work for us? Furthermore how can the United Nations exist, determined for peace, when in 2016 they accept and allow genocide to continue. Educate yourselves, collaborate, be adults and stop this God awful abhorrent behaviour from happening instead of silently saying it's ok. It's not. 

Julia

Something worth celebrating

 1 year living abroad. I have officially had 2 Easters, 2 summers, 2 springs and a looong winter since arriving here on April 8 last year. As I write beginning my second year in London living I look back on all that has been to share with you my realities and wildest adventures since it all began.

Landing on 'motherland' soil with a job in hand was a first for me last year. In 2012 I arrived in London and hit the contractors' circuit taking work day by day, loving my 3 day weekend. 2015's job start was refreshingly secure. I got to know colleagues, was invited to my first staff yoga session and could legitimately have work drinks with friends without feeling like a fraud. I enjoyed theatre productions, European getaways to Croatia and the Greek Islands and a fair few of the finer things in life.

I was lucky enough to make some superb friends in my first 3 weeks in London when I joined the social networking group ThinkingBob. The 6 or so people I spoke to most closely on this first night were to become my closest friends in London, one of the greatest things that has happened this past year. However the year wasn't as peachy and perfect as my Facebook status' and Instagram posts may have suggested. My friends and family abroad who kept messaging me wishing for my 'dream lifestyle' didn't see that everyday life still has long commutes, disputes, unpleasant encounters and the mundane everyday tasks that follow you irrespective of where you live. So in true expat fashion I decided to capitalise on the take away lessons and that's where the real adventures began. For those pining for a life they seemingly feel they can't achieve, read how to make my 'dream life' a reality for you too. 

1. Look up. Embrace life, enjoy your surroundings, be mindful of it. Travelling will teach you that your current scenery is completely unique and deserves your attention. You will crave it once you've left it.

                           

2. Life is about fun. Explore, have adventures, try something new, change your routine, meet new people anyway you can and get out of your comfort zone. Life is best when you are uncomfortable enough to see where it takes you.

3. Make choices to be happy. If your not happy change something. It is never the end of the world if a choice ends up being a mistake; life always leads us where we are meant to be. So think about your happiness, have faith and hold on for goodness to manifest itself.

4. Something's don't matter. Don't fuss. Fuss is the root of all time wastage. Don't fuss over anything that you'll forget about tomorrow. Some cultures teach you that it's completely necessary to quit the crap and get on with it. As much as I love London, fuss has to be my pet hate and London and the UK love breeding fuss. Life is already full of hurdles, don't make any unnecessary ones for yourself.

5. Save, get in debt and save.
Life is not perfect, saving consistently will teach you who you are but funnily enough debt will teach you more. Be sensible about it but don't fear it. Master the ability to use credit to your advantage, don't let it rule you. Enjoy life. Live it. Appreciate what you have when you do have pennies. After all we only truly appreciate what we have until it's gone.

6. Do something completely on your own. Last year I attended an art exhibition for Nic Joly, met him and a screenwriter. I made an acquaintance with the lady who runs specialist exhibitions and now she recognises me whenever I walk into her gallery which is the loveliest feeling. I still recall though how I felt before I left for the exhibition solo, my palms sweaty, anxiously playing with anything I could get my hands on and trying as hard as possible not to do sideways glances of 'yes I'm here with no one'. That night I met about 10 different people from various walks of life and I learnt that the privledged don't necessarily look down on average Joe's like me. I also found a great confidence in myself for hanging out with unknown people for a couple of hours on my own instead of the 20minutes I thought I'd last.

 

7. Once in a while don't listen to your gut. Most of the time our instincts and our gut align beautifully but sometimes our gut communicates anxieties or 'realities' that actually don't exist. So once in a while put your 'feelings' away and try something that feels different or 'off'. Granted I've only done it twice but both times it paid off.

8. Be a tourist in your own town. Don't stop exploring because you are used to everyday tasks, find something new to explore. Which leads me to my next point...

9. Embrace the tourists. For those of us that live in places frequented by a mass amount of tourists it can become easy to be that cranky Londoner (for example) who avoids all tourist areas. Why be so bitter? Tourists can teach us a lot and help us to reconnect with the things we love, or show us the things we overlook. We shouldn't avoid them. So put your happy pants on and embrace the crowds, selfie sticks, funny poses and iconic landmarks.

10. Revel in the opportunity to create a challenge for yourself. As most people do working contracts or supply work, I have learnt time and time again that working your toosh off to have unpaid holidays (especially when your not paid for all the hours you work already) really bites. But you can mope about and whinge or you can adopt a challenge mentality. How many free things can you do? Why not take a friend out when that's all over and do a blind window shop, where you pick outfits for your friend and they for you. You have no choice but to try the items on, when your done you're guaranteed to gain some laughs and possibly ideas for a new wardrobe because you got out of your head for a minute. It works trust me! Or when you have £10 for a week challenge yourself to find the most amount of prepared meals you can make for yourself that stretch beyond the week. The best part about this is I guarantee you'll carry these lifeskills with you and soon you'll see the most expensive city in the world can still be magnificently enjoyed for next to nothing.

11. Just go. Quite possibly my favourite life mantra. Several times over the past year I have packed my camera, a scarf, lipgloss travelled to Waterloo station to pick a random destination off the board I've never been to, to just go! The feeling is fabulous. I've been to some places that weren't on my high list of priorities and I have had a few funny incidences whereby trains were held up by landslides or diverted but for the most part it is seamless, chilled out fun. The best part is, I never know where I'm headed until I open my eyes and look where my finger is pointing. Truly liberating.

12. Be happy, be cranky but be real. Wherever you are this is the most important thing of all. Feel how you feel on purpose. If there is no need and your deflecting emotions you haven't dealt with sort your issues out. There are so many people that walk around with their emotional backpacks on yet are the first to attack anyone who is dealing with their emotions publicly. Be real. You are not fooling anyone anyway and you'll feel better.

When I did all of these things and focused on maintaining the positive rage I had some amazing experiences.
-I was headhunted for my writing
-I made the best friends I've ever had
-I met famous people
-I ended up travelling 21 countries
-I developed my confidence in various aspects of my life
-I grew my creativity
-I lost weight unintentionally
-I developed superwoman like mental strength and a clarity about what I want.
-Most importantly I knew that comparing my reality to others would rob my ability to be grateful for what I have.

As one of my close friends Sof says, 'we live in one of the most amazing cities in the world and many of us just walk by as if it just is a city and nothing more'. London is an amazing city full of opportunity, history teaming with events and new ideas it is extremely different to my island home in Queensland that I left. But to compare the city with waking up and being able to walk to the beach, being warm every day of the year, having amazing scenery all around me would only keep me thinking that the grass is greener on the other side and it's not. It's merely different. Both are beautiful in their realities but they aren't able to be compared they must simply be enjoyed for what they are.


To all of those Londoners, Aussies and average Joe's all over the world who look at and idolise someone else's life I implore you to idolise your own. Till next time...

Jules

Running vs fighting

Are you flighty or fighty? When I moved to London a year ago I flew away from all I knew for a chance to be recognised in a career that showed me dead ends. Now I have a career that fulfills my need to be valued for who I am and what I do, but it didn't come without a fight. So what's the benefits of harnessing your fight and flight responses to life? Read on.


As a young adult adamant on pursuing my goals in every aspect of my life I was always determined to find more, ask for more, demand more. So naturally when my career landed me with two realities 'you're not a man and we want one in a position of authority' and 'you're not experienced enough, you're too young, what can someone so new bring to the profession' hit my pursuance of excellence like a brick wall, I was left dumb founded. With itchy feet I plodded off to work each day still passionate about effecting change knowing that while the brick wall existed my passion would slowly die. So it was no surprise when I'd done my time and gained 'that level of experience' I flew away from the cage with great speed. In fact this flight lead me to moving to London in 2012.


Later on though life would dish up a few hurdles I could choose to either accept or reject and I knew my reaction to these would shape my future though I attacked life just the same. Achieving goals were number one, always. So naturally when I decided that making decisions based on financial comfortability and stability was a sure way to secure unhappiness I enlisted my flight response again in the pursuit of happiness and I gained it. With little money to my name I jumped on the freelance circuit. While it wasn't stress free it did make me ridiculously happy. Some people might attribute this to a flexible lifestyle however I know that prioritising happiness is what made the difference. It also allowed me to fight for what I wanted while I worked. It is in this fight where the true happiness began.


When I first took my latest job, working with those who can't read and write, I was stoked. It had taken all of about 6 months to find but I'd located somewhere that seemingly fit with me more than I thought it ever could. I started kicking goals but I still had to choose to fight to stay or decide to fly away and experience a new venture. Why am I sharing this? In this process I realised something greater than I'd ever had.


Life had landed me opportunities I could fly from or fight for but it also provided opportunities where I had no choice but to fight. 'Being stuck' as some may view it has been a great blessing. 'Stuck' teaches you more than flying ever does. Stuck helped build my resilience, grew my determination and finitely defined what I wanted in life. Now, I'm not a lady with regrets and I'm not suggesting those that choose flying over fighting should be regretful, but I challenge you to ask yourself, what can I gain by fighting instead of flying?


Life throws some serious curve balls and in the midst of it all it is easy to run, throw our hands in the air and admit defeat but its also those curve balls that give us some of the greatest gifts. At times we can get so stuck going with what we are used to, pushing and pulling life in the path we think is right for us but if we fly and fight and pay attention to what we learn from it we can recognise our best self emerging. After all life is always about the journey because the destination in the end is the same.


Till next time... Jules

Say what you want to say!

Lately there is a post going viral around Facebook about the children who have special needs and don't get invited to birthday parties. The forgotten ones. This mass following of social media 'literature' makes me weep because I couldn't think of anything more impersonal than a lonely, special needs, forgotten child being passed off for a stock standard message that requires no effort besides copy and paste.


 Even in our most vulnerable of times when we know someone is feeling terrible the best we can do is be bare enough to show we agree with a person's message? The sad thing is literature has always been better than that. Literature was always an outflowing of emotions inked on a page. Why have we lost the ability to honestly care and show it through our own scripted words?


It is true, 21st century sees a mass onslaught of technology and a considerable backseat to book and old school literature but the medium should not, must not, change the art.


Its not the first time I have thought about this. A passionate, outspoken person on the issues of domestic violence and suicide I try to do the best I can to use literature to shed light on the dark situations that are life's realities. People might read but they don't want to talk about, share it, let alone post their own emotions about a topic. Its a gut wrenching reality to realise that people are either too PC or simply don't care about each other enough to state their own personalised message.


Those special needs children, yes they are forgotten, uninvited but they are more forgotten and criticized by the adult majority not children. Children might be worried about peer acceptance or don't fully understand how others are different but the reality is adults do. What's more its kids breaking down the superficial barriers not adults.


Those people who commit suicide, its highly likely you would never have a clue they are even thinking of it. They could be the happiest person you ever know but the point is they don't want you to know what there problems are because they don't want to burden you. So they'll showcase a face to ensure that yours isn't turned upside down until they no longer can. Yet on 'are you ok day' people can't be bothered to recognise that its their everyday actions that lead to isolating others and it takes a far mire concerted effort than one honest check in a year.


That mother who appears to have it all together, she's broken inside worrying what's going on with her kid, whether she's doing anything right and hating that she'll be judged anyway.


The person with a mental health condition is the silent ghost in the room who has perfected being silent because society isn't comfortable dealing with someone who might have odd, off the cuff moments.


The domestic violence victims live in fear each day that the horrors of the past will relive themselves. That their dreams will be taken over by nightmarish taunts.


The brave person who's constantly calm and getting on with things, whom everyone thinks has it all together  just wants people to stop thinking their perfect and go a little crazy.


The homosexuals want people to understand  that dealing with who they are at times is as difficult as stubborn people dealing with the fact that gay people exist of no fault if their own. But they love who they are and life just the same as everyone else.


The writers...they just want people to show real emotion in a century whereby a mass message is meant to comfort a group of mass sufferers and outcasts.


Put your heart on your sleeve people. Be vulnerable, pick up your pen, press some keys and actually say how YOU feel. Whether you're the next best writer or not doesn't matter what matters is that you do it.

Making the most of it

For the first time today I verbalised that I was in fact 30 years of age. It made me laugh as the number became a reality and I said that phrase I've often heard from 'old' people that 'age is just a number.' Life is quite hilarious, it seems to be that everyone's paths are virtually the same or at least there are many commonalities. I guess the most important part is making sure you know how to make your life something else, something special. Different.

In January I ended up travelling to Budapest and Cardiff. It was a heck of a lot of fun and to top it off I got to celebrate turning 30 years of age surrounded by some lovely friends and luxing it out in the lovely St James Court Hotel near Buckingham Palace. It was quite the lush experience, I didn't want it to end. The entirety of my birthday month was so fun and adventurous that it left me thrilled for what lie ahead this year. So naturally this morning when I am laying bare chested on a hospital bed getting an ECG I told the 20 year old female intern that in fact life does start when your 30.

The past few weeks has continued the nostalgia for the yester years as it were and has given me what I think is the best gift ever- wisdom. I am no longer at an age where I want to spend time with people who will waste it, I don't want frivolous friendships or relationships and I don't hold back on what I want. Most importantly if I want to experience something I make it happen, I don't wait for it to happen. Thirty honestly feels like the sweet spot. Had someone said that too me when I was 20 I think I would have laughed it off, probably as much as the intern nurse when she was looking at me hoping her 'girls' don't look like mine in 10 years time but alas I would bet she would be saying the same thing when she gets here. In my early 20s I wanted to grow up, have kids, a house all the things that I felt an adult was supposed to do. In my late 20s I knew that being an adult wasn't settling for anything and now at 30 I know how to make sure know one hinders that effort. A blunt, cut throat approach to life it may be but who doesn't want to make the most of it?

As Valentine's Day came and went I thought of all the things I love about growing up and it has nothing to do with what I have or who is or isn't on my arm. It is much more than that. Years ago I would have accepted being hidden behind the shadow of beautiful people around me. Today I don't accept that I'm not worthy of being noticed. Its nice how the moments in life give us the opportunities to learn about these things as well, how we have grown and developed.

For example, when I was a teenager and we were learning swimming at school we always had to get changed in front of our peers, I hated it. Naturally I tried to do the most awkward of changing routines beneath my towel while the other girls wondered why I was testing out my contortionist skills. But the truth was regardless of size I wasn't comfortable with how my body looked. 10 years down the track I found myself in a London change room where clearly women had been changing in front of each other for years. I wasn't used to it at all. I was immediately thrown back into the emotions of those teenage years. It seemed ridiculous but I never really had to get used to accepting myself in such a way. Slowly but surely I got used to the fact that changing rooms were scarce and unless I wanted to freeze whilst waiting for a change room in the middle of a UK winter I needed to embrace my body and just get changed. It sounds like the most ridiculous thing but nonetheless a key part of recognising that I needed to finally grow up and well, 'get over it'. Now thanks to 'environmental conditions' I have managed to gain a body confidence I never had before, and have found that in actual fact the changing room experience is far less daunting and more accepting than I had ever imagined. Ultimately, to be able to appreciate yourself well is a real blessing and it is completely underrated.

For women (and I daresay men as well) reading magazines stand as a way to make you feel as though your life needs a complete overhaul in line with the monthly magazine schedule. But little, sustained changes are the most important ones that allow us to make the most of life. I still vaguely recall the first time I decided (as a teenager) to stop waiting for friends and do things on my own. It was a daunting experience but now years later I am someone who is comfortable in my own skin. It was this little decision and slowly built confidence that helped prompt the decision to move abroad, travel overseas solo, leave a job for a happier path and have faith that things will be fine. It isn't a series of off the cuff choices that are rashly made without some understanding of my own capabilities but it does allow me to make decisions that are a little risky yet within my capability to achieve and therefore make the most out of life.  

In any case whatever it may be looking back stands to teach us all a lot about how we can make the most of the right here and now. I encourage you to look at and appreciate where you have come so that you can make the most of what is yet to be. Don't just 'go with the flow' but create it. Have experiences that you want to have, carve the life you want to live and don't make any apologies for it. Your everyday life, friendships, relationships and achievements are exactly as you want them to be. So make the most of life and get out there.

Till next time...

Jules :)

New Year, New Adventures!

Hello my lovelies! I hope all of you have celebrated the beginning of this lovely new year in style and have already experienced happiness and success. This year means more adventure, more writing and a bit of the unknown which let's face it, is just another adventure!

Last year I decided that I would attempt to travel 20 countries in my 20s. At 15 already down (not including stop overs) and 1 month, January, to get it done it's a great way to start the year with a big bang!

First on the list was Budapest, Hungary, and boy it didn't disappoint. A bucket list destination for a few years I am so pleased I finally got it done in this 'roaring 20s' traveling bucket list. Though my trip was only a few days the excitement of going to work for a few days to then explore the world again in a new country next weekend excites me.

As time nears my 30th though I am starting to think about more grown up things, the direction of this website and what anti wrinkle creme I should purchase for my laughter lines. All very serious, urgent matters to attend to. Right now though all I can think about is squeezing the most out of a restful weekend and taking some of those  woosah spa moments with me as I begin my descent back into London life for another week and prep myself for the next adventure. I am ready, recharged and rested. I hope you enjoyed your week. Stay tuned.

Jules...

The eternal sleep

Have you ever watched someone sleep? Sitting on the train seeing a Jamaican English lady face to the outward skies as her head tilts back, mouth ajar. The crease lies don't exist on her face but I know the kind of story that has lead to her peacefully, exasperated state on public transport.

Effort after effort, travel from a to b constantly, trying to do whatever you can to keep everything together and everyone around you happy. Heavy bags in hand, now at last resting underfoot until the rest must end, her stop comes and the journey must begin again.

In October 2014 I saw my grandfather take his last breaths it was something that really upset me and being back in the UK where he lived the first 30years of his life makes it worse. We shared memories of times enjoyed in the same places across London in the UK merely generations apart, it's one of the most beautiful things we ever got to share in our relationship while he was on this earth. It has just really struck me now that this profound rest a lady on a train had for a few moments is what my Grandfather was wishing for for a few years, after years of an amazingly intelligent mind and a body that left him feeling trapped, incapable of expressing to his full capacity the beautiful mind he had. It is in this moment right now, looking at this beautifully peaceful sleep, that I learn everything we want is granted, even in death. Such an amazing grace need not be thought of with tears of sadness but smiles of joy.

What's your number one?

Yesterday I wrote about how consciously choosing no New Years resolution helped make 2015 a better year for me however I am not a cookie cutter thinker not writer, if you need a good ole New Years Reso to help get things in check start here. Priorities.

Priorities are possibly one of the most detested words in the English language because it has a negative connotation attached to it that somehow we haven't been doing what's most important however, that's more about society not individuals.

A priority is something we place with high importance, above other things based on our values and beliefs. It is therefore not always understood why individuals prioritise one thing over another, but it doesn't have to be understood- priorities are personal.

For 2016 if your making a New Years resolution I urge you to consider what your priorities are, reflect on them and decide whether or not you got it right in 2015. This is not to beat the crap out of yourself but simply to ensure you don't let other things fall off the bandwagon by focussing on something that may be temporarily important. Too many people focus on working out or getting that promotion that they forget about quality time with their partners. Life is always best when we have balance so think about how you will order your priorities and make time for things that matter most to you now. Make sure you leave downtime as a space within your newly scheduled year because running out of time and not allowing yourself time to rest is the quickest way to ensure you feel a sense of failure sooner than you are capable of. If you have 20 priorities have a rethink- are there really 20 super important things that you MUST do now?

 

Furthermore, think about the things that you can and cannot change. Many of us want to prioritise completing things 100% of the time at work (for example) but we forget that we are evaluating this priority in a vacuum. If your workplace simply mounds and mounds work and doesn't leave time to actually get things completely done you aren't going to achieve that priority so change your target. It might feel like your doing the wrong thing but honestly you can't work to get 100 things done at once everyday at an outstanding level. If you try you'll end up with a nervous breakdown or sick 3 weeks into the new year. Be realistic. The same goes for your fitness goals. Don't slam yourself at the gym 7 days a week if you have no life other than work and gym, because it isn't going to make you happy even when you have that body you want. Again, be realistic.

 

Most importantly though if you are setting a New Year's Resolution think about how you want to feel and the end of the year. New Years resolution or not (see yesterday's post), you want to be able to reflect on a year gone by that was successful from the get go, that showed the change you wanted to achieve and how you maintained the other things in your life that are important to you.

 

New Year's Resolutions are mocked all the time, let's face it but there is no reason why you cannot achieve what you want to, it's all up to your mindset. If you want to achieve it you can. So go ahead, make one and come back and write to me how you are achieving it in 2016, I'd love to hear from you!

 

Till next time...

 

Jules

WARNING: explicit motivational material with expletives.

 

 

You're in shock right? It is true I am definitely not the usual 'f bomber' especially online but it is that time of year when everyone cuts to the chase, gets philosophical and pours their heart out, filling our news feeds with momentary gratitude and Everest-like motivation. Now is the easiest time to switch off and hide all the mushiness of the season from our timelines but before you do I urge you to read this.

2015 was a different year for me. It began when I didn't make a New Years resolution. Instead I consciously decided to continue doing what I knew brought me happiness- achieve success, chase goals and enjoy every moment. This non-resolution made my year the most complete yet.

It started in January when I said goodbye to some friends I had made across a host of nations as I bid farewell to the Topdeck heroes of my Winter Getaway tour. I had a couple of days rest and randomly decided to pick a bucket list country and 'just go'. It was blissful. I ended up in a 4.5star hotel in Brussels overlooking the main square of the city, a chocolate parlour, waffles and diamonds on my doorstep. Six days later after further letting go, more than I ever had, I left London with so many positive memories and a superb start to my year. When I returned home I realised that as much as I loved being near my family I had outgrown my current life. So I did what I've never done before nor what I planned, I hedged bets and 12weeks later moved to London again. Thinking about that now makes me smile so much because I know how much gumption it took and how happy it made me feel. The turn around from a 6week eurotrip to living abroad was so short but I did it. I made a promise to myself that I would keep making decisions for my own happiness.

I continued to make decisions like these this year. It certainly wasn't the easiest year living in London. But because I focused on the positives and decided to cut out anything that didn't serve my happiness I got through the year happy. 99% of people I'm very close with will not know what my year entailed nor am I willing to share it but I am pleased to say through everything I managed to find peace and an unimaginable strength within myself. Apparently how I feel is shown on the outside because people on the street stop me to say 'wow you are a really happy person'. The funny thing is most of those people would probably assume my life is easy but in fact it's conquering the hardships that make me happiest.

Each year life asks the silent question of us, what did you do this year? I want to ask you, were you happy this year? You have the power to change it all. You can only rely on yourself for happiness, at the end of 2016 will you be proud of what you have become in a year or will you have wanted to be more?

Forgive people, be humble and allow yourself to find a positive in the most painful of memories and you will have nothing more to ask of yourself when the question beckons. You will be even more complete than you have before.

Enjoy your time before New Year's Day my lovelies, till next time...

 

 

Sorry about the language but sometimes we just need to cut to the chase & please ourselves. Be happy.



2015...a special Christmas

 

Three years ago on Christmas Eve I said goodbye to my family and flew to London to live. It was a 27 hour flight I had never taken before & a new kind of lifestyle ahead and with no family connections.

To make my journey smoother my lovely mother and sister gifted me with little flight care packages. My mum 27 scratch and win tickets, one for each hour of flying and my sister 27 little presents just to keep me in the Christmas spirit. It was so entertaining that during the time spent circling above Heathrow on Christmas morning I had to rush to finish scratching and unwrapping the presents! (Mum and Dad always told us to appreciate our Christmas moments).

 

This year's Christmas tree :)

At 7am on Christmas Day I landed in London, presents in hand, excitement in heart and a huge amount of family love with me despite being hemispheres apart. To handle the jetlag as best as possible I walked from my apartment in Notting Hill to Kensington Gardens where I sat surrounded by vivacious squirrels and heard the excitement of British children running to the Princess Diana Memorial play park shouting 'Can we play yet Daddy?!' It instantly reminded me of home; children playing on Christmas day surrounded by family.

 

This year I was again away from home, in London, except this year is a super special year. I now know part of my English family I have never met, I have my old friends from years gone by and some brilliant new ones. But most of all I have  the same gifts (I purposely re bought them for myself) my family once gave me all three years ago when I first took the leap of faith and jumped ship, so it feels like they were right here with me. Every time I put my Mor Belladonna hand cream on I'm reminded of the flight instantly and how distance will never separate how close I am to my family. I guess until recently, when I started missing them again and for the first time in a while put on my hand  cream again did I realise that scent was a beautiful way to remember the true gift I have for Christmas and every day. To make things more special this Christmas my mother sent baubles all the way from Australia with each of my family member's names on them so I could decorate my tree. My friends and I joined together on Christmas day, sharing secret Santa gifts, laughing and bringing together a Christmas dinner pulled together by everyone playing their part. It was my version of the play park with family, my London family and it made this Christmas so very special.

 

Special baubles from my lovely mother delivered from Aus

 

My London 'family' for Christmas this year- a bunch of travelling orphans...and a whole lot of fun!

 

To all my readers, I trust you enjoyed your Christmas. I hope you cherish the old and the new, recognize the real gifts of Christmas and find a way to keep them in your heart, not just on Christmas but all year long.

Julia

 

 

 

 

 

What are you looking for?

Hello! Its great to be back writing to you again! Today I want to talk to you about the question we are always asked:

What are you looking for?

I have written on many occasions about the purpose of a positivity driven lifestyle and how that creates opportunities beyond belief. I have also written about how it is important to go after what you want. The irony is life always challenges us after we have shown confidence. These hurdles become a measuring stick for assessing whether 'what your looking for' is still the same thing. Do you still yearn for that thing, person, lifestyle, career, body shape you had before? If you don't...what next?

In essence the message is the same, try and not lose faith, remain positive. As I have said before life is always about the silver linings. We must look for them. There is no harm in deciding that what you once had no longer serves you but at some point you will need to stop and assess how far you have travelled. You will need to decide whether you are happy with the distance you have travelled holistically or whether you want more and if that means moving on.

In the past 6 weeks everything in my life has constantly begged the same question again and again, 'what do you want?' It is like life is screaming it at me, begging me to yell back the answer however I don't have all the answers right now. The frustration has lead to random bursts of tears and an overall lack of motivation and all the while I have forgotten up until today one vital thing- nothing happens while you're stationary.

This applies to everything. If you are not trying to follow your dreams, be creative, chase the career you want, put yourself out there for a partner, improve your relationships, be committed to  your health then you can't expect silver linings to happen. The sad reality is if it takes as long as it has for me of late to grasp this concept you end up chasing negatives and never seeing the beautiful graces in things working out or, not working out. Everything does happen for a reason.

A few years ago I left London and I was saddened that it had to happen. I really didn't want to leave; returning this year and making things happen is one of the best things I have ever done. I didn't realise it at the time, because I said I was coming back for friends and more travel, but I had just allowed myself the opportunity to succeed at something I always thought I failed at and that was a gift I gave myself. Any time we pick ourselves up and try again we are betting on ourselves, we are saying we are worth it, we are picking our battles and deciding our best battle is with our own mentality.

Tomorrow I have been in London for 6 months. I look back on my time and I see wonderful travel, new career connections and some of the greatest friends I've had in my life. Even if the 'what am I looking for' question changes those silver linings will never be taken away and that's something to be grateful for everyday. So...to those special people in my life who supported me the past little while when I was struggling beyond belief thanks for being my silver lining, my little rays of sunshine.

I look forward to some more London writes with you all & sharing some exciting news. Until next time...

I want to be ridiculously in love with my life

The notion of being someone who loves every inch of their life is something everyone chases but how do you do it?

 

1. Forget the 'shoulds'

Do not do what society projects you need to be doing right now and just do what you want. If you listen to the shoulds it is only you that will be unequivocally upset with your life. You don't need to please anyone but yourself and what's more...you can't actually please anyone properly if you are pleasing a societal expectation that silently controls you. Live the life you want.

 

 

2. Choose the things in your life that make you, you and chase them with a mind full of goals

When you prioritise the pie pieces of your life what can you not live without? What 'hobbies' didn't you actively pursue every week? Cut those. It doesn't mean you don't love them it just means you can channel your love into a hobby that makes you well you. Here's an example- if I don't write, sing or exercise in a week I feel 'off' like I am not myself, when I reconnect with these things its like I am back, returned to Jules again. I crave these things. Massage, drawing even travel I love and thoroughly enjoy but if it didn't exist or I became incapable of doing them it wouldn't change me as a person. Comprehende?

 

 

3. Affirm your own awesomeness to yourself.

Write down your strengths and weaknesses and start immersing yourself in positive affirmations that make your weaknesses your strengths. Realise the vast qualities, talents and sills you have to offer others. If someone doesn't appreciate these there will be plenty of others who will so don't sweat it. If this part is more difficult for you get a healthy overdose of positive affirmations, litter your life with them by placing them everywhere in your house, workspace and that dreaded screen you look at.

 

 

4. Expect only the best.

It is true that our expectations are reflected in our results. Sometimes it can be highly frustrating knowing that you  have been waiting for a long time but the wait is always worth it. The amount of times people have told me I'm snobbish because I expect high qualities in others, men and businesses and that I don't budge on the fact is so frequent it is unable to be counted. However doing as others have suggested and settling for less has meant I never sacrificed my goals or my happiness. At 29 with a book just finished being written, living overseas for the second time, having travelled 15 countries and being in the possession of a job I love and am appreciated in whilst kicking some major personal goals I can't say I'm disappointed in my choice.

 

 

5. Take risks that scare you a little

The best way I can talk about this is to discuss my two competing loves; writing and helping children succeed. Whilst I love and always will, teaching, it is (especially if you never try for a promotion) a safe career where you are constantly stable. It pays the bills. Sadly, this fact alone means that the profession sees various lazy teachers who work uninspired and effectively demonstrate that they couldn't careless about the kids and for the most part it is a mission to let these lack lustre teachers go. In comparison creative careers like writing demand their workers to constantly evolve and take risks, it takes a leap of faith to get yourself and your work out their and noticed. It may mean infrequent pay cycles, work schedules and uncertainty but it may also come with great reward. Whatever the leap of faith in any career, for a promotion or otherwise, back yourself and your abilities, the absolute worst thing that can happen is you'll learn from it. So as Nike says...Just do it!

 

 

These five things are the simple secrets to successfully loving your life however there is one final, vital thing to remember. BE SELFISH. In a world driven by selfishness it is the epitome of irony that we don't place the importance on the right selfishness and that's the utter need to selfishly own our right to be happy- forget the possessions, be greedy and selfish about the things that will bring you lifelong lasting happiness. Most of all remember not to feel guilty about it, you are the one that lives your life and nobody else.

 

I hope this has helped some people who are looking to find a path they love instead of one they are on, it mightn't be an epic change it could mean a small tweaking. I hope that you find the courage to grant yourself your own happiness by chasing what you want. It really does make a world of difference. Since I've lived in London I've had a new lease on life, people (even those I don't know) constantly questioning my biological age when I tell them I'm actually not 24years old, I'm 5 years older, for me this is an one indication that how I feel on the inside is radiated on the outside and it all came to be from a few decisions. Happy Saturday lovelies.

 

Open your eyes...

Eyes wide open, brows raised and a cheeky, 'I did it' grin of confidence supported by a tall posture and an outward look. It's the look shown by someone who takes a punt on themselves and pursues their dreams. Whether you are 5, 25 or 70 the look doesn't change and neither does the effervescent feeling of being on top of the world. Sometimes described as the light bulb moment, when an individual finally discovers how bright they have made their own world by choosing to live for their passion.

 

 

Life is about passion. When we commit to doing things with passion we gain a zest for life we would otherwise miss out on. Everyone has that one thing they love to their very core that they know they would be different without but do we all live it?

 

Over the past 8 weeks or so I have been working on a project that would help me to discover what life would be like being paid to carry out my passion every day. I have written a book. This book is the very first of which I will publish myself and put on iBooks for viewers to read. I am a little nervous about it's success but I am super excited to be finally putting my name to something and taking the punt on myself in a larger fashion. As you are probably fully aware I am not a paid writer or blogger, I operate purely on the drive to publish (via posts) work that I feel gives an honest voice to an increasingly politically correct and bland society. Like authors of eras gone by I recognise that literature plays a pivotal role in societal change and whilst I might be one person that's all I need to be to affect change.

 

This is where The Pursuit of Greatness comes about. This book, currently in the final editing phase, shares how physical pursuits alter an individual for life making them more successful and fulfilled in all that they do. Largely based on my training, defeats and successes of Mt Everest, I feel that it will connect with any individual who is seeking to find an unstoppable mindset and healthy confidence for a lifetime. I look forward to sharing with you how the final days of this book comes together and how I feel about my journey as a soon to-be author.

 

 

Already I can tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed committing time to my passion for writing and my passion for health, fitness and adventure. It hasn't really felt like work because I have fun doing it; even if my eyes feel like squares after editing the book 12 times or I've gone around in circles deciding which way I wanted to write the sentence only to write it the same way as I had it in the first instance!

 

The process has really got me thinking about how many people work everyday in a job they aren't passionate about. Please don't miss hear me, I love educating people in all walks of life and am very passionate about it however the dream job is to write books. At present I'm making it happen by taking a punt on my work and that alone feels great, therefore the success of the book is virtually irrelevant but what about those people who have no passion for what they do at all? In the United Kingdom the average working week is 48hours or 1344 hours per year provided you get your 4 weeks of annual leave each year. 1344 hours is a long time to be stuck in a job that you don't like especially when we know that health is directly related to our emotional state. Imagine if you could work 1344 days in a job you loved where you didn't count the hours, minutes, seconds of the work day? Where you weren't looking at Friday memes on Facebook from Tuesday lunchtime? Where you didn't feel like punching someone in the face for their idiotic management decision that was made without any input from the frontline workers? It would be pretty sweet wouldn't it. Well it only takes one thing. You.

 

 

Yes, you need to decide to take a punt on yourself, give yourself a go (as Aussies would say) and back that business idea that you've always had, take a chance on an idea you have and be prepared to get uncomfortable for a bit to increase your happiness. Kick those goals you always dreamt of achieving and walk to work with those eyes wide open, brows raised and a cheeky 'I did it' smile. There will be plenty of people ready to criticise but at the end of the day only you who will sit with regret in your mind. So get ballsy and make that passion you have your life. I dare you.

 

Till next time...

 

 

PS: To all my fellow writers.. never forget this...

 



The health and fitness lies you are fed

Yesterday I wrote about the need to eat well, exercise to show respect for your amazing body. The problem is many people pay attention to long standing fallacies that plague an industry with some pretty amazing minds. So here's a quick post to put a stop to the nonsense based on my study in health, anatomy and physiology, fitness programming, strength and conditioning.

A quick education into health and fitness

1. Fat is good. Well good fat is good.
Dose up on it. I'm talking nut oils, omega 3 fats that come from fish, avocado- all the very best foods. These foods will help improve your mood as well as help you lose weight.

2. Fat, protein, carbs- the chain of energy burning command.
This means that your body will burn fat first and then protein and so on. This is why people tell you to ease off on carbohydrates (like pasta) but carbohydrates are your friend you must have them in your diet. You just can't have a diet solely of carbs without an active lifestyle.

3. HIIT (high intensity interval training), tabata, Fartlek training and crossfit are your friend. They work on maximum effort in shorter bursts increasing thresholds (aerobic and anaerobic- movement with and without oxygen) whilst developing a range of muscle groups. These types of fitness are the forms you want to participate in to create a body transformation. Not regular straight, slow paced cardio. Ok? The bonus is these training methods fit perfectly with our time poor world (and over scheduled lives) and therefore leave no excuse for respecting our bodies and making that healthy change. Make it a priority.

4. The method of training purely dictates the physical outcomes.
If you complete exhaustion training (repetitions until failure) you will build muscular endurance and lean muscle mass. If  you work to intervals you will increase aerobic, anaerobic capacity, ability to clear lactic acid from the muscles and develop tone. If you do heavy weights with small repetitions focusing only on power and strength with long recovery periods in between you will be working to build your muscle and increase it's size. If you are running on a treadmill, riding your bike you will work your aerobic or lung capacity, maybe  your legs if you go fast enough or if you hit hills frequently at pace.

5. Women who lift weights will NOT end up looking like men. This is probably the biggest fallacy of them all. I'm not sure whether its simply weak minded men coming up with this notion or women who are scared they'll surprise themselves with how capable they truly are. Personally feeling strong physically is empowering in more ways than one and from experience, men (especially those with great character) do look at you differently and its not about your physical appearance- that I think is something worth striving for. So remember ladies...and men...strong women who lift weights they are those women that men ogle over in the movies. Toned, lean, confident and healthy.

6. Your muscles operate in pairs. Therefore if you work your biceps for example and not your triceps you will end in an injury. Similarly if you hold weight in your stomach your back will always be week. Furthermore men who work on their chest, arms and back and never their legs not just look disproportionate but they are also putting unnecessary pressure on the lower half of their body. Bottom line- Marvel characters can run with an excessive V shaped body humans not so comfortably.

7. Weight on a scale means nothing. Measurements are what you should go by. Why? When your measurements shrink it is because you have increased your lean muscle mass. The only concern is for women...do not measure yourself around the time of your period. Many of us bloat at this time, there's no point losing motivation over a monthly body ritual.

8. Skipping meals DOES DECREASE your metabolism and will result at some point in overeating which entirely defeats your mindset about skipping a meal in the first place. Just eat.

9. Rest days are the key to success. Rest includes things you mightn't consider as 'nothing' like walking barefoot and singing or meditating with your feet up against a wall. Without your rest days your workouts are ruined, so rest.

10. I have to work out for a long time to get the effects of exercise. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Again it depends on what you want. Yes you can easily do a few hours pumping weights no issue to have a low to medium intensity and control of your muscles is essential but if your focus is blasting fat and conditioning 3 hour gym workouts aren't for you. You need to think about what you are trying to achieve and as you are improving alter what you do. Don't start with 30 minute medium workouts if 30 minutes is easy for you- change the intensity or change the duration of your workout. Remember if it doesn't challenge you it certainly won't change you. So get sweaty!

11. I can never eat anything I want. Rubbish. You can, you just need to understand that the more you eat that has high calorific content the more you need to exercise. If you don't have time then re-evaluate your food choices.

12. Sleep. The key to nailing your life. Invest in it. I mean an expensive bed, duvet, linens, pillows all of it. Investing in your sleep will be the best investment you ever make.

Any questions? Hit me up.

Till next time...stay happy and healthy!

Jules....

The latest

Writers block. I'm starting to think that we only get writers block when we choose not to write about the things we feel most strongly about. Everyday I write. Everything counts and I celebrate the ability to write although it doesn't mean I give the work I have the right to be published- even on this blog. I'm not sure whether that's the perfectionist in me or whether I'm just afraid because I know the power of words.

Two weeks ago I met an artist Nic Joly in person, we chatted and spoke about what inspires creativity in all artists, whether they create sculptures or scripts. In our conversation it was so pleasing to meet someone who so passionately sees his work as a medium to confront or change the world. His latest exhibition, of which I desperately hope I can purchase my favourite piece from in the near future, The Pen is Mightier than the Sword, showcases the duality of light and dark that exists in all of us. If you live in London you must make a point of seeing it at Castle Galleries in Covent Garden or Canary Wharf. If you do not jump online and read about Nic Joly or check out his Facebook page here.

In any case the conversation I shared with Nic instantly inspired me and made me realise how complimentary artists creativity is to each other. A few minutes after meeting him I also met a screen writer. The difference was he didn't reveal his character until the end of the conversation when he filled me in on a rom-com he had worked on a bit more than a decade prior. It was such a pleasure to talk to a man who allowed the conversation to be just about creativity without any preface to his title or success. Though I must state I thought it was hilarious to say what I do and the amount of short stories I have written when you compare it to a man who's film is known to everyone my age or older. What was nicer though was that I could share my creativity without being considered a 'nothing'. Had the conversation been different or perhaps had I met Kanye West in disguise I bet the conversation wouldn't have gone past 'I'. 

For about a week after these encounters I wrote anything and everything and I brought out some old pieces that I previously had not published and decided to prepare them for the blog. Overall these little events made me realise that as writers we choose to censor our own words at times. We mustn't do that. The world, individuals, groups, ideology and dominant discourse seeks to censor us on a daily basis, our words matter, they mean something not just for the benefit of keeping ourselves sane, for sharing our gift and our thoughts but also as a vessel for change. We do not need to listen to critics, jealous types nor naysayers we simply need to have a little self belief and an attitude that no one has the right to censor who we are. To showcase my commitment to my words, over the next week or so you are going to see posts I previously censored from the spotlight, I hope you enjoy them as much I had enjoyed writing them.

Till next time...