greeting the new year
This year was better than the last by far and especially the one before that. No regrets here, but excitement about the pending changes in my life. Last year, I think I was in a very difficult and confusing time in my life. Recently had moved into a flat and already searching for another, still trying to find the ground beneath my feet, and then attempting to start a personal life too. It was all difficult to navigate especially since there were so many superfluous people in my life at that time. Since the new year started, I got rid of those people, focused on myself and never looked back. That started a new chapter, a new me.
In March I opened the virtual doors of C&É Consultancy and what a joy it has been! I realized that I had so much to offer the world compared to what I thought I knew. People wanted to meet me, pick my brain, apply my advice and more. There were challenges, difficult clients and a lot to learn (I hate admin and bookkeeping), but it was worth it when reflecting back.
It’s true that my personal life had to take a hold as I grew my business and started taking this blog a bit more seriously. The blog started picking up pace, we started collaborating with strong brands with international focus and Alina joined the team! So many changes in just one year. This is just the foundation, the rest is yet to come. There was so much to reflect on during this walk in Richmond Park.
my health
When Alina joined in the Fall, we had high hopes. Little did she know, I threw her right into the wild with very little direction. It was a growing experience for both of us as I was learning to facilitate and she was honing her tasks. We started collaborating with major brands and companies right off the bat like Soho House and Boden and it was equally exciting as it was frightening and tremendous work. We were shooting all the time, I was blogging every evening and things got a bit hectic at time and I neglected myself. My health. I noticed Alina’s eating habits. She picked and chose what was best for her and what was whole. She would share tips she learnt from health bloggers and soon got me into it all! I started December with a cleanse, whole eating regimen and 30 day yoga challenge. I’ve been loving every bit of it and I’m proud I’ve stuck with it, but most importantly, implemented this lifestyle sooner than later! But more about this later this month!
my wellbeing
My friend, Alice recently visited. A friend from my days at St. Andrews. Spending time with her, the very little time we both had was eye-opening for me. I was in the process of closing out the year, dealing with a few issues at home (nothing major) and trying to do all the holiday things we all get flustered with. Alice, a budding photographer, asked if I wanted to join her on one Saturday morning to go to Richmond Park (almost an hour by train-and that’s far by London standards) and photograph. “Sure!” I said. But the next thing I knew I was waking up at 6:30am trekking out to Zone 4-Richmond in the hopes to find some deer and not get rained on.
It was exhilarating. Though I was out of the city just the week before spending time in California with family, it felt like freedom being out in the open. For a bit we didn’t even see people and it was just silent. The dewy air, light frost on the ground and the pungent earthy smell made everything worth it. And at that moment I made a pact to myself to explore for myself. Go out of my boundaries. Tickle my wellbeing.
Actually the photos you’re seeing today from my walk in Richmond Park are the ones I captured with Alice!
my support system
I always say that my family is incredible and I’m lucky to have so much love coming from all over the world from aunties and uncles to cousins afar. This summer, when I was missing home most, I realized that if I wanted to carve a life out here I would need to just suck it up. I decided to look at it this way: my support system is not far, but in London too. I’ve built a family here of friends. When I first arrived here, no one seemed helpful and I felt truly alone. That’s because I was. Little by little, one networking party to the next random run-in, I built lasting friendships… and you know when I noticed this?
Over the summer I was going through some major flat issues. Landlords are crazy people and so were my former flatmates (we all run into this problem). It was literally everyone who was willing to drop what they were doing to come and help me out. Natasha spent an entire day packing and transporting my things to a new and beautiful flat with. Gerda called me everyday to make sure I was alright. Sara was my first guest. Louise dropped me off a meal! So, I’m not alone here. It is home.
Overall a great year with welcoming challenges and beautiful moments. Here’s to a beautiful 2016 ahead of us. Happy new year to you and hope you enjoyed these scenes from my walk in Richmond Park!
