Bujo_in_a_KikkiK-22I feel like I am constantly learning. Which is a very good thing. I recently transitioned careers and so I am learning something new almost every day. It’s tiring, for sure, but it’s also amazing and rewarding and inspiring.

So today I’m tasked with writing a list of the things I’ve learned. First up, how happy am I that I get to write a list? I am a list maker at heart. As someone who uses bullet journalling daily, lists are always on my mind, and lists are how I stay organised.

So, what have I learned?

  1. People will generally judge you based on their own experiences. For example, if they’ve just discovered how to use a new piece of software, then they will assume that you also don’t know how to use that software – no matter how much you tell them that already know it.
  2. If you feel passionate about something, then do it. Life is too short to spend your days avoiding your passions. Don’t be afraid of failure – it really won’t be the end of the world if things don’t work. But at the very least, you’ve tried. And just think how you will feel if you succeed!
  3. Make time for the people you love. It’s so easy these days to not reply to a text, to not answer a phone call, to avoid contact. I’m too busy, I have to meet that deadline, I need to watch that show. Prioritising things above people is easy to do, but it really isn’t worth it. Interaction is a very important part of my life and I always try to put that before anything else. It’s hard, I totally admit that, but you know what? The important things – the good things – aren’t meant to be easy.
  4. People have different tolerances for cucumber. Personally, I hate cucumber – it stinks! Other people say that it has no smell, but to me, to my brother, and to a few very cool (cool as a cucumber?) people I have found along the way, cucumber has the most awful smell.
  5. The weather is what it is. We are all so fascinated with complaining about the weather, talking about it all the time. But no amount of talking about it will change it. It is what it is. Unless you live in Melbourne, where you can just wait half an hour and the weather could change completely!
  6. “Should have beens” will not help. Much like my above comment on the weather, worrying about what you should have done is also not going to change the outcome. I’ve had so many conversations about a serious problem and the conversation almost always turns to “we should have done this, if only we’d done that”. Of course it’s important to analyse what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future, but almost always, the issue needs to be fixed or resolved quickly and those conversations are better saved for afterwards.
  7. Speaking of analysing, I’ve learnt that it’s very important to review what you do each month – I list my achievements, my highlights from the month, what worked well, what was challenging and what I’d like to try in the next month. This is by far my favourite thing I’ve learned and it has really helped me to organise my thoughts and plan for the future.
  8. Finally – I have learned that I am capable of making a change. Instead of spending my days feeling resentful of where I am or what I’m doing, I learned that I was able to make a decision to make a change, and then to actually make that change! Transitioning careers was an enormous thing to do. Moving to Melbourne was an enormous change. I have learned that I have the ability to try something new, something big, and then make it work. Sure it’s scary, but the payoff has been amazing.

Ok, I don’t think this list is particularly coherent or organised, but it just came to me as I typed. It’s so weird – as a #plannergirl at heart, I’m always surprised at myself that I don’t plan out what I write. I always write from the heart and in the “stream of consciousness” style. It works for me (for now).

What life lessons can you share?

x desleyjane

Posted by:desleyjane

photographer, blogger, planner, scientist, dog lover, frequent flyer, daughter, sister, BFF, human

29 replies on “What Have I Learned?”

  1. I love this list, Desley. I can relate to much of what you say but especially #8. With me being out of work so much last year, I came back to a lot of change–and I think that was a good thing. I do not take change well–too set in my ways. But I had no say in the changes–they needed to happen while I was out. And you know what? I liked them. Less stress for me. I just go with the flow now (for the most part!) and life is good. The people who know you and love you are always there to help you along…that is what I love about them. Very good post. I enjoyed this.

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  4. What a delightful, heartfelt, wise list!
    You surely can do well both things, to plan with perfection and to write spontaneously and beautifully.
    Your list made me ponder, and that is good. You made fundamental and big changes in your life in a very short period of time and it’s a great example that it’s possible and nobody should be afraid to pursue dreams or plans.
    Way to go, DJ.
    But wait a minute, cucumber? I always felt it as the most tasteless, odourless veggie of all!! How funny.

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    1. Thank you my love! LOL, it really is not tasteless or odourless. It is awful! This is what I mean. There’s only a small number of people who can smell it. I’ve met about 10 of us. We are truly unique LOL.

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        1. I’m glad you were lucky. It teaches us to be grateful for the time we have and to make the most of it. My best friend suddenly lost her German shepherd companion of 9 years a few weeks ago. They had been inseparable and she is absolutely devastated. It’s going to take her a long time to get over.

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            1. I’m so glad you understand. I worry sometimes that people don’t see pets as being important family members. Boxers are so lovely. I’ve never had one but I’ve met a few, they’re just so happy. They do make the best friends. Mine is curled up against my leg right now. I petrified her this morning by burning the toast and setting off the smoke alarm!

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  7. I so enjoyed reading your list Desley… love the honesty and oneness… thank you for sharing.
    After reading your first post, I decided to do this course too. Mine is being written into a tiny journal this time. So enjoyable!

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    1. Thanks Robyn. Oh that’s great! So exciting to hear you’ve joined the course. It has really reinvigorated my love of blogging. Not to mention getting back in touch with all of you after a while away.

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