Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Epic Rebound!

Ok, for anyone keeping up with my writings, my previous post was me feeling like an absolute failure, a worthless existence etc. I was at the bottom of a deep deep well with no way out, with no hope for escape. Little did I realize, I had a grappling hook with me all along so that I could fish myself out of there and live the life I deserve.

It's hard to say exactly how I did break out of my downward spiral though. I read a couple of e-books on self help, all with the major issue of dealing with mental attitudes towards... everything. With these new ideas that I was in control of my thoughts, and that I could have the universe at my fingertips if I only gave the universe my attention, I was empowered.

I realized that before, most of what I was doing was to seek approval from those around me, be they friends, family, or others. So I asked myself "why do I need their approval at all? What is so great about that?" I rediscovered my ambition for 3D now that I had broken out of the mindset that I was doing it for others, as it really only matters that I do it for myself. Just like the fact that It doesn't matter how much my parents disapprove of me wanting a motorbike license, I'm going to get one either way, death shall be the only thing that stops me.

I also developed a new mental attitude towards social situations. I identified that most of my problems with being social stem from a general lack of confidence, so I went to work on that. I have a powerful attitude now that confidence is my own choice. Just the other day, I walked into an animation studio and asked the receptionist if I could speak to one of the higher ups about work experience or employment. She fetched the lady in charge of recruiting and we had a 5-10 minute chat about all things relevant. I was calm and confident in my own abilities and left a good impression and a genuine smile on her face. This is because I believe in my own abilities and skills, and I also believe that if my abilities and skills are not good enough at the time, I have the power to improve on them to the point where they exceed what is needed. A few weeks ago I could've seen myself walking into the studio, shuffling about nervously, tripping over my words, and giving off the impression that I am desperate for work, lack confidence, and would be a waste of time giving work experience to.

I don't hurry to peoples beck and call because I am the master of my own universe. I assert myself when people bring up values that clash with my own. I can look people in the eye without feeling the need to quickly glance away (most of the time, its still a bit of a habit but I'm breaking out of those, such as I don't bite my nails or lip because I am relaxed in my own skin). I walk as though the world will still be waiting for me if I just take my time for a few minutes.

I'm taking steps to move forward with my life in general. Talking to the animation studios in person is a big one, and although I have prior obligations keeping me from doing that today and tomorrow, I will continue to make the time to go see these people and make them feel that taking me on for work experience is a good idea. I also still want to do bar work, which is why I have booked a 1 day course for tomorrow where I will go and get my "Responsible Service of Alcohol" license, which will allow me to work in bars, bottle-shops, clubs etc.

I have also successfully gotten myself into a workout routine that doesn't feel forced. Rather than it getting to nighttime and thinking to myself "ah its kinda late, I think I'll do that run tomorrow," I think to myself "hey lets go for a night run." We have a treadmill now and I've been using that for over a week now, and though I am unfit, I still manage 9-10 minutes at the moment running at 8km/h. I also do push-ups and sit-ups afterwards, without feeling the need to force myself to do them. I don't do them because someone told me that it'd make me a healthier person, I do all of that because I WANT to be a healthier person. I want to be a healthier person so that I can maximize the effectiveness of my physical self, so I am capable of defending myself when shit hits the fan, and simply so I can feel good!

I am also eating way healthier too, also because I WANT to be a healthier person. I've traded my bowl of weet-bix crunch in the mornings (which isn't too bad to begin with) for Muesli + Honey (add toast if I'm still hungry) or Multi-grain/Hi-bran weet-bix with honey on top. Lunch is the most difficult one but I usually have an apple with some toast, usually using blue-berry spread on top instead of peanut butter or vegemite, and I would like to find more fruits I like for lunch so I can expand the palette. Dinner has always usually been healthy, with whatever myself or my parents cook usually involving a nice amount of peas and carrots, possibly potato, possibly pumpkin, possibly tomato, all with some kind of meat served in some way. Also we usually have egg on toast, boiled, scrambled or BBQ cooked, its all good. For snacks, I avoid the brunch bars in the cupboard and go for apples instead (and would like to have bananas but we don't have any at the moment :( .

I usually save playing video games for night-time now, unless I don't have any pressing issues to sort out or deadlines to meet. Keeps my days more productive. Speaking of days, I'm also going to sleep earlier and getting up earlier, so that I may actually do more with my time.

All in all, I feel better than I've felt in years, and I know it's not going to stop, because I believe in myself and where I'm heading with life. Really, all that is left now is to actually get a job (which I'm working towards) and get more used to talking to girls than I currently am.

Feels good man.