Step Outside Your Comfort Zone


Take action. Before it's too late.

The saddest thing to accept about problems in the world is that most people already know the answers. They know how bad things actually are but just choose to ignore them. They know multiple ways of changing the problems in the world but make excuses not to follow them.

Laziness, ignorance, avoidance are just a few of the reasons. I think that a lot of people are aware of these kinds of problems and the thought comes into their heads, but they choose not to make it important or something that they are actually going to do in their life. There is a difference between doing something every so often and changing everything to go along with it.

There are a lot of complications within this, obviously, it's not always possible for you to never use any form of plastic, to never buy new things. It's about the amount of impact you could have if you cut down. The amount of carbon emissions that would be reduced if the whole population, or more of a majority decided to cut down on eating meat. I think people become too stuck on the fact that these things are important to them. I have definitely seen this in videos where people are asked to eat something which doesn't contain meat, then they say it is great without realising there isn't meat in it, once they find out there isn't meat in it, they then change their opinions on it and become defensive.

I would never push my opinions on anyone or force anyone to do anything, it is about realising that times have changed, we know more now about the planet, our bodies etc. than we ever have before. If people are able to open up, to become de-tattched from material things, opinions, traditions... etc. then they will gain a lot and so will the planet. I believe it is important to know how you feel about things, and to have opinions, to know what you like.. - But it is essential to understand that it is about the bigger picture, it is about making changes that have an impact. For example, women's rights or for climate change action - it is key that there is some kind of action taken or some kind of protest. Actions lead to change, ideas don't just happen, you need to take time to do things, and to do what is right. It applies to global warming, animal welfare, fighting for what you believe in, what is right!

If you learn the facts and take time to understand the problems you will be able to look at the problems objectively, rather than having your opinions muddled in with everything. I think we are all a little too sensitive, a bit too proud and thinking a lot more than we are doing.


Climate Change and Environmental Issues

I have always been fairly passionate about climate change and environmental issues, but I have only ever researched them in my own time. I want to take action. I think it is very important to practise what you preach. It is a nice idea, being concerned about the impacts of climate change and other environmental issues - but to what extent are you really changing anything? We can all make little changes to our daily lives, which in turn will have a dramatic effect on the environment. Even though there has already been a lot of damage done, it is never too late to make changes or to awaken to the truth. We can make a difference to the future, and I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone can actually make a difference. Every decision you make has an effect, so if you are conscious about what you are doing, hopefully you will be more likely to make a change to your life. 

Plastic has been the topic of discussion, within the last few years specifically. It has definitely been an issue for much longer, but it is becoming more and more relevant in today's discussions about our planet. Around 50% of all plastic products are used only once before they are thrown away. Now, we have to take a moment to think about the things which this applies to. Is it necessary for there to be plastic packaging on our fruit and veg? (That we will most likely wash before using anyway). Plastic doesn't just dissapear, well not for around 1000 years anyway. Yes, it takes up to 1000 years for plastic to decompose in landfill sites. While, plastic bottles take up to 450 years to decompose! Another issue is plastic bags, it can take up to 10-20 years for a single plastic bag to dissapear. Sometimes, using plastic is unavoidable, however, there are definitely times where it can be avoided. Buy yourself a metal or glass water bottle, use cotton shopping bags - avoid single use plastics all together! Not only does plastic stay on our planet for years and years, but it also finds its way into our oceans and harms sea life. 


Excessive packaging

Why is it, that supermarkets still supply fruit and veg. wrapped in excessive amounts of plastic?

Some peppers are free, laying loosely amongst their companions. While, others are in groups of 3 but are wrapped in plastic. Now, I can empathise ~ I understand that a packet of 3 may be better than one. But, if red peppers can be sold individually, then why can’t yellow, orange or green? Garlic cloves are also wrapped in netting, a little better perhaps? 

There is obviously a shifting perspective occurring and I applaud those who put these small changes into place, such as reducing plastic production. Plastic is extremely difficult to break-down - it often ends up in our food and oceans. 

The part I can’t comprehend, however, is how little people think of the future and what this excessive waste imposes - upon our future children & Earth itself. Are we brainwashed or are we to blame? This plastic problem is ours to solve. I’d like to give it a try, who’s with me?

Loose vs wrapped garlic


Planning your life away.

Planning: planning to plan your whole life away, planning every moment, as though you can have control of every situation. I am someone who likes to plan things, to write lists or just write down my general thoughts. I think it is good to be organised - writing things down allows you to understand how you feel about something or a situation. But I think planning everything can allow you to become too fixated on ideas within your head, and it makes it more difficult for you to deal with situations changing. I know that I used to struggle a lot more socially, so I would write down topics to talk about before I met someone and I would think about possible conversations. This was a few years ago, looking back, I now understand how this can make you feel more anxious in some ways.

Anxiety definitely stems from you not being able to control a situation, being scared in case you become embarrassed or don’t have anything to say. On the one hand, I think writing your thoughts down can be helpful because if you write something down you are less likely to think about it. But I have found that I feel more relaxed when talking to people now because I am not planning as much. The more you have everything thought out in your head, the less likely you are to actually enjoy the situation or conversation. As you get older, the more jobs you have or the more you talk to people – you begin to understand things more deeply, and for me, I find that now I just want to live every day in peace, while not being inside my own head too much. I want to be able to be present when I am talking to someone, not becoming flustered or having anxious thoughts within my head.

In the society we are living in, now, it is hard not to become fixated on the idea of becoming successful. Everything is advancing so quickly, and it feels like you must prove yourself sometimes. We are living too much in the future, thinking about what we will be doing in twenty years, rather than what we will be doing today. I think a massive reason for why I feel less anxious and why I feel happier in general now - is because I am starting to think more about the present. It is easy to become overwhelmed, within your thoughts about anything – whether it be a mundane everyday problem or a global issue.

There is a quote that I like that makes me think more rationally about situations (I can’t find the exact quote) - but it basically says to stop giving situations which have already happened, or possible future situations too much thought – specifically negative thought. The best way to control anxious thoughts is to practise meditation, which some people may struggle with, but it is important to learn to focus on your breathing and maintaining your inner peace. You can try and think of your thoughts as being physical things and detaching yourself from them, or you can practise having a still mind. You may not be able to do meditation every time you are feeling anxious, so I like to try and think about being calm and knowing that a situation will pass, and to not get too stressed about it. You can always practise finding your breath, and just taking deeper breaths will help you to relax.

Mindfulness is a teqhnique which I find interesting, I would advise you to purchase a book on mindfulness, or read up on it if you have the time. Mindfulness shows you how to approach different life situations with a calm mind and how to deal with your anxieties or problems. The book that I like to read every now and again is called 'The Mindfulness pocketbook', by Gill Hasson. I like how the book is structured, with a different topic on each page - it is not overwhelming. It is like a little self-help book. The book discusses different ways to re-think your problems and I like how informative it is. Sometimes, we become so overwhelmed with our thoughts, that it is good to have some form of guidance, to have a different perspective. Realising that I am not the only one that thinks the way I do, helps me to feel less isolated with my thoughts, and knowing that there are ways to change how you think, makes everything seem less scary. Mindfulness can be applied to your everyday life, I find that reading about mindfulness helps me, while also doing some form of meditation and yoga. Once you start to make positive changes to your daily life, you will become happier within yourself and you will be more in touch with how you are feeling, and won't want to hide away from your worries!


Racism and Oppression

I am very much in favour of practising what you preach. I don't think it's enough to simply be against Racism, we have to take an active part in sharing information about what is still happening in the world and take time to do research, and also sign petitions or donate whenever we can to support those who do not have a voice.

Slavery is not in the past, we can't simply ignore the slavery which exists within different institutions throughout the world and within many countries throughout the world. I know myself that I have not done enough research into black history, and I don't think it's fair to those who have to do their research about it, those who have to know how to react when they are pulled over - simply due to the colour of their skin. For those who have had any kind of racist comments made to them, for those who are not privileged from birth. The people who are still treated unequally do not have a choice! They have to live it, daily.

Not only do I think I haven't done enough research, but I'm embarrassed by how little I have shared issues like this on my social media. If I ever come across issues like this I will share it, and I do research in my own time, but we have to realise that it just isn't enough.. We need to speak out against what is wrong, we need to speak up about what is important and discuss these issues, while informing those who do not know about the facts. 

So make sure you know the facts, for the sake of those who are suffering, for the sake of those who do not have a voice or can't be heard. This article is from 2 years ago, so don't act like slavery and Racism aren't still issues in our society today, in 2020. 


Website article - highlighting slavery in our current society. This article is from 2018.

https://qz.com/africa/1333946/global-slavery-index-africa-has-the-highest-rate-of-modern-day-slavery-in-the-world/


How alone are we?

The problem with ourselves, is the fact that we are scared. Scared to accept the fact that we are all lonely. We pretend. We pretend we are not lost, we have it all together - to fool those who look on from afar. We are embarrassed to admit the fact that we are not okay, and we do not have it figured out. Because, the truth is, none of us do. We think everyone else is fine, we believe the show that they put on for us. When in reality, we are all in the same boat. We are all drowning.. Drowning in our own thoughts. Swimming around trying to grab onto any floating object that may come our way. 

We are surrounded by others, and yet we are all lonely. It's easy to forget sometimes that we are all learning everyday, as much as some may appear to have their shit together - I am sure that they probably don't. Don't get me wrong, some people are succeeding, truly living, but are they happy? 

If we are all so concerned with other people's opinions of ourselves, then are we really unique? The funny thing is, we look to others for advice, for answers - without trying things for ourselves. We are so scared to fail, that we never even try. We want someone else to live the experience for us, to do the work for us. We are becoming lazy. We would rather read about another's experience than find out what it is like for ourselves. We know that everyone sees everything differently, and yet we are so trusting of each other. How can you say that you have lived, if you are in fear of even trying? 

Fear allows us to become so fixated, fixated on what could go wrong - when we haven't even had the experience yet. I have experienced traumatic experiences, I can understand fear. But, I don't think it's healthy to expect the worst possible outcome, you have to come to understand that anything can happen at any moment. You will face it when it comes to you, but a situation will not always be bad. You don't know how a situation will occur. 

Understand that as much as fear, pain, trauma do exist - joy, happiness and love - are also possible. The spontaneity of a situation is what makes it amazing, memorable. You can learn that your thoughts do not control you, they are not you. I try to visualise them as physical things, so that I can analyse them rather than let them take over my mind. Now, more than ever it is important to remember that there are good people out there. Not everyone is evil or has their own agenda. People may surprise you. I know that I fear people I do not know sometimes, and for what reason exactly..!?! I do not know the answer myself. It is difficult to accept that people can be good when you have been hurt, but there are a few good humans out there. 

We are all unique and to be unique is a beautiful thing. We are also very similar. We can understand people from the other side of the globe, without having to say a word. We are all human and we are all lost in our own way. Don't judge people without taking a second to put yourself in their shoes. Listen to others, listening is caring. Take the time to help those who need it. 

Peace and love, Kirsty. 

 


Women, Lockdown and Using your voice

I feel very inspired today - with it being International Women’s Day. It’s hard right now to feel motivated, when we are all living such independent and comfortable lives. Comfortable in the sense that we are all in our own little bubbles. I think ideas are created in being uncomfortable and vulnerable. I don’t normally think of social media as being a very positive outlet for us to fall back on, as I do think it can allow you to overthink or create false ideologies and opinions, while not actually talking to people in person. However, just now I think social media can be positive, it allows us to have hope, and today especially I have seen a lot of people posting about International Women’s Day and photos of importantly women in their lives. This simple act, seeing how people care made me smile. 

Lockdown has given me time to ponder quite a lot about life, whether I want to continue to do the job that I do, it has allowed me to research different topics nd educate myself. I feel an urge of motivation, I feel empowered. Normally, I would describe myself as easy going and relaxed, which I think can benefit me in many ways, but I have always disliked how long it takes me to make decisions. Lockdown has made me think - maybe I can try things that I have never even done before, like it is a re-fresh almost. I am very much a creature of habit, but now, I would like to be vulnerable, I am curious. I do want to make a difference to the world, whether it be in helping other people or making the world a better place.

Now, I am sure that if you asked your friends who are women, or your mum etc. they would have either experienced first-hand or witnessed an act of sexism, heard a derogatory phrase being used, or possibly even been abused in some way. I know that I have. I have been called manipulative, but then also after this statement, was told “but that’s just women isn’t it”. I have been spoken down to and made to feel weak. I have witnessed others being ‘fat-shamed’ and ‘slut-shamed’ in my personal and work life. I think the most worrying part is that people don’t call out others for their actions. When obviously, sometimes someone may not be able to do this themselves, we should all be protecting each other - not allowing this behavior to continue. 

I know that the world has come along way and things are a lot better, than as little as 100 years ago, which isn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things. I do, however, believe that it is an excuse - to avoid confronting wrongful behaviour because maybe what you are saying isn’t as harmful, or as derogatory but that does not make it okay, by any means. Women are physically assaulted, emotionally abused and yet it still seems to get swept under the rug. Children and women, specifically, are exploited and sex trafficked. They are treated like pieces of meat, in order to pleasure men. I think that the world is becoming more accepting of sex workers who choose this kind of job - but women are still shamed for doing so. 

I would say that in my general life I will happily discuss human rights with others and any topic to an extent. However, I do believe that we are put on this planet to make a difference, and maybe, talking about your opinions when you’re drinking with your friends is simply not enough. Some days, I get down. I think about the fact that there are a small group of people who control the world, what difference will my voice make, amongst a bunch of rich white men. But, what is the point in having a voice if you’re not willing to use it? 

Because, not everyone has a voice! 

It’s hard sometimes, when someone makes a comment to you, and you’re not expecting it. You maybe need someone else to fight your corner. We must protect the sensitive, defend the innocent and simply listen! I watched a programme on Netflix called Sex Education, which I think is possibly aimed at a younger audience, but there was one episode which I particularly liked. A young woman is sexually violated on the bus and afterwards she can no longer bring herself to get the bus. She keeps what has happened to her to herself for awhile, but eventually she has a discussion with her friends where they discuss other acts of sexual assault and discrimination which they have experienced. This is what we need! No one should feel embarrassed about things which have happened to them. We need to listen to each other, educate others and fully unleashed our potential in the world! Our time is now, whether it be sharing a post on Instagram or creating your own feminist community. You got this girl! 


Taking time to reconnect!

Does anyone else become a child again when amongst trees/in the forest?! Or is it just me....

I had a beautiful walk yesterday which made me feel truly alive again - not that I felt particularly sad before but being in nature just makes my heart very full! I also went camping the other day too which I feel allowed my soul to reconnect with the earth.

I know I get drained being around people all the time and being in the city - but it is good to find spots amongst the chaos and sometimes embrace the madness, while being able to simply step away from the businesses, and protect your energy! You don't have to worry about things which don't affect you, and you don't have to put up with people who bring your energy down. I think it's important to try and raise your vibration, in any way you can! 

Whether it be going amongst the trees, or thinking positively, giving out compliments, writing down what you are grateful for or simply blessing your food! Just like we are here to make tiny changes to the earth, we are also here to make tiny changes to our own lives. Recently, I have come across this quote a few times, which states that so many people try to change the world but hesitate to change themselves. I think this is super important - to remember that not only do your actions mean something but the way you think means something too! We could all benefit, I'm sure, from taking a second to simply observe our own behaviour or thought patterns, and maybe we can help someone else just by doing that. 

Flowers - Glasgow Botanics

The Dalai Lama

Mindfulness

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Hippocrates