Don't sweat the small stuff

Perspective. Perspective is a slippery little slope. You never notice you've lost it until you are caught up in whirlwind of self doubt, comparison and fear; unable the see the abundance and successes that actually fills your day to day. All that achievement gets hidden behind the doubt, and it feels terrible. I was just able to get some perspective and see how I can fallen into that hole.

Seeing that you have gone down the rabbit hole and trying to shift your way out isn't easy. It takes a lot to start feeling grateful again and see all the positive in your life. I was contemplating the fact that for a long time my travels have been such an immediate way to bring the bigger picture into my life, remember how lucky we are and also reflect on how we can do things differently. It can happen anywhere but certainly seems to happen more easily in the "holy-shit-this-country-will-kick-my-ass" kind of travel experience, but really any place that pulls us out of our comfort zones will do.

Traveling has been an act of healing as well. That movement out of my day-to-day has allowed me to change and grow in fundamental ways. But lately I've been reflecting on the fact that I won't be able to travel so intensely forever, and will have to find other ways to keep that sense of sanity and perspective. I have inkings on what that may be but for now just a couple observations on doubt, perspective and other random life thoughts; in no particular order.

1. It is really, really, really hard not to compare yourself to others. That's ok, but just know your perfect person struggles too. More than you think. 
2. Doing something ALWAYS feels better than sitting around thinking about it (hey, like writing a blog post :). 
3. Promoting yourself or your brand can feel REALLY uncomfortable. But, if you decide to be a shopkeep (or anything else for that matter!) that has to change. Get brave girl! 
4. The more I meet people, the more I realize we are all just doing our best. Be as kind as you can.
5. It is really important to have some practice that grounds you: prayer, meditation, yoga, exercise. And then do it....everyday.
6. It is so important to get out of your comfort zone as often as you can. This could mean leaving the country or just taking a different route to work (or both!). Comfort zones are killers!
7. You have more in common with people from Peru or Thailand or Mindanao than you might think.  Same goes for the opposite side of your city. It is a beautiful thing to discover. 
8. In this country we have it really good and really bad. We have so much material wealth and opportunity to pursue the things we love but we also lead such individual lives we miss out on the strong community bonds and relationships that other cultures get to experience. 
9. It's important to pursue your dreams, but also pursue your happiness. Sometimes we forget that real contentment lies less in the big plans or dreams but in those quiet, seemingly unimportant moments of our day to day. Pay attention to THAT small stuff. 

Top image Satsuki Shibuya

Middle image via Instagram