If you're anything like me, you thrive off busy days, lack of sleep, and a constantly filled calendar (with no time scheduled for R&R). There's just something about the busy life that I absolutely love! (Maybe it's the fact that the more busy I am, the less time I have for those socially awkward encounters...which I'll talk more about later)..
While in London, my schedule has been nothing but (organized) chaos. While studying full time, I found some way to keep even busier with one full time job and one part time job. Now that I'm no longer a student my schedule seems even more hectic. When I'm not jumping from train to tube to bus, I'm zig zagging though Oxford Street or preparing things for a client.. I've realized that while I love keeping busy, the pressures of all my deadline was slowly getting to me and suddenly realized how anxiety can slowly creep up!
I've found these 5 tips useful in finding rest and maintaining balance in my seemingly hectic life.
- Respect your time. This means creating a schedule. Sticking to appointments. Ensuring that colleagues, business partners etc also follow suit and also respect this space. (and making sure that this is reciprocal)!
- Be vocal. Don't be afraid to let those around you (i.e. boss, colleagues, etc) know when you're feeling stressed or getting anxiety. If your work load is too much for you to handle, speak up!
- Learn how to say "no." While balancing academics and work, I've learned to hard way that it is okay to tell people when you are unable to deliver. This can apply to almost anything: no to meeting up with friends for a night out when you just have way too much on your plate; no to taking on another client for business services...
- Be intentional about "me time." I've recently learned the essence of taking just a small amount of my day to focus on me. In this time, I often spend time with God and work on spiritual growth and refuel what my day has taken out of me. I love reading the book of Psalms and perusing those calming passages. I also find it refreshing to take some time to watch a comedy..(lately it's been The Proud Family!!! Yesss...I found it on YouTube, y'all...and it's been giving me life and laughter!). So, be intentional about taking some time out daily to do something you you! (Maybe even a mani/pedi!).
- Protect your resting space. During this past summer and early autumn, I struggled to maintain a normal sleep pattern and had so much trouble sleeping. I would often fall asleep by 2am and wake up around 6am every day. What kept me up? Work. Or the thought of work. I'd often fall asleep with my notebook right next to my pillow and my laptop not too far away. I had to learn to protect the one space I had for rest.My bedroom. For some time I did not allow myself to work in my room and made it a rule that I would do work everywhere but that space. Soon after I started separating work and rest, my bedroom became less associated with anxiety and my sleeping pattern was once again back to normal.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
- Matthew 11:28
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October marks one year since I moved to London. This year has been completely life changing and God-filled to say the least.
Let me tell y'all about my God.
When I first arrived here mid October 2014, to say I was scared would be an understatement. (You can read more about my experience here). Yes, I loved London so much that I wanted to live here (it was not by force loll). However once I did, I was in tears literally everyday for the first few weeks. I wanted to quit and move back to California ASAP. But as luck would have it, God had other plans. I learned to cope with homesickness, depression, and downright dissatisfaction. I learned to be grateful, appreciate life, and vowed to travel the world. I told God that if he wanted me to stay here he would have to give me an amazing testimony. He sure did (and it is still blossoming).
How I coped:
- Having an amazing support system: When I first arrived, I didn't have many friends. Yes y'all. I was all by my lonesome for sometime. I went to school and came home. So I leaned heavily on my stateside family and friends. (Thank God for apps like What's App, Viber, and Skype). My family and friends kept me sane with their love, prayers, and understanding. I knew I could call them whenever..for a laugh, pep talk, or prayers.
- Holding on ever so tightly to the word of God: 'Til this day, I believe that God used my period of loneliness to draw me nearer to Him. It was in the time I was fully able to talk with Him. I read, prayed, read, prayed and repeated. My relationship with Him grew as I learned more about who He is and more about who I am through Him.
- Therapy: (Okay retail/food therapy is still therapy y'all!!). The weather here can be very gloomy and coming from Southern California, the lack of sunshine led to so many depressing days. I learned what made me happy. Sometimes it was upbeat/inspirational music, other times it was ice cream, but most times I would just shop (or window shop) at my favorite stores. (I know all my chronic shoppers can relate to this! lol).
- Travel!!: I challenged myself to break out of my comfort zone and explore places I've never visited. I found amazing places in London (like coffee shops, parks, etc) to simply sit and do homework. I had the opportunity to travel to some parts of Europe to explore, visit friends, and learn.
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| St. James' Park, London |
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| Sitges Beach, Barcelona |
Although it is still developing I'll share a little bit of my testimony with you all:
God has never left my side. Throughout my whole journey He has been guiding, protecting, and providing for me. He has given me countless opportunities.
Academic wise, I was successful in all my courses. Job wise, He has opened and closed so many doors which have blessed me tremendously. He has ordered my steps accordingly and caused me to cross paths with people and experiences that have changed my life. I'll definitely share more later, but I wanted to write this post simply to share how good God is and hopefully encourage you.
If there is nothing else I have to give God all the glory for allowing me to pursue my dream of living in London + completing my masters degree.
That dream you've been holding on to..that goal that's on the top of your list...go for it. Allow God to lead you. Trust Him and he will never forsake you. He will provide for you, He will keep you, He will love you.
Don't allow your fear to disrupt your progress. Don't allow those what-ifs to hinder your drive.
That country you've been wanting to visit? Go.
Allow God to make a way.
That program you've been thinking about applying for admission? Do it.
Let His will be done.
He is faithful.
Ah. But first and foremost, my apologies! I have been completely MIA from social media. Some of you sweet people have contacted me to figure out what in the world has happened to my social media presence. Bless you!
A lot of you actually have no idea what I'm doing in here London. School would be the answer. Yes, y'all. School has succeeded in kidnapping me and hiding me away from life. My head has literally been in the books, and I've actually spent several nights in the library burning the midnight oil over the past several months. Sigh. But now that finals are over, I'm baaackkk!!! Expect to see (and read) much, much more of me :D
Over these next few months, I'll be exploring Londontown, parts of Europe, and sharing my experiences with you all. I hope you enjoy!
xoxo
Not much detail here..all remixed bits and pieces :)
Denim button down: thrifted, Crossroad, Old Town Pasadena
Black Lace Bandeau: some neighborhood boutique in Los Angeles
Blue Drawstring Trousers: Forever 21, Los Angeles, Similar Here
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