Highs and Lows of 2014

Every year has its ups and downs, and I haven't experienced amazing highs or amazing lows, but to me they are significant. 2014 has definitely been a memorable one for me. Personally I think the growth was within myself and doing things I have never tried, but also doing things I knew I was 100% comfortable with. Even those insignificant moments contributed to something. 

To begin on the highs:

• I began the year celebrating with my University friends and a few friends from home. It was an enjoyable party and it definitely set the tone for the rest of the year. 
• I travelled more in one year than I have before any other year of my life. To be exact, I was in 6 different countries this year. Some of these places I have loved so much I didn't want to leave. Most notably, New York and Seoul. These are two places I have been and felt sad about actually leaving. 
• I finished the 2nd year of University with a grade I can tolerate, sure it isn't the highest and I could have done better but it can only get better from here.
• I've met some of the most incredible people. Some I keep in touch with, some who have turned into some of my really good friends and others who it has just been nice to cross paths.
• This year has shown that I have the support of my family and friends no matter where I am in the world, it doesn't matter where I am, what I am doing, I can always look to them for a little support if I am feeling sad or lonely. 
• I completed my first role in a 9-5 job. It wasn't difficult and sure it wasn't really a challenge, but to have that experience and to have got the role makes the year a little more significant.
• Just the general, insignificant moments spent with my friends and family, eating, playing games, drinking, walking in different cities, watching passer-bys.

I mean, I don't want to end on lows, but do you start with highs and end with lows or end it with a high note? Either way, a low is a low.

• I felt a little lost and insignificant, the feeling of having little to contribute, feeling like you have no place. In the final year of University it is hard not to feel lost, and to have self-belief when the qualities and characteristics about you seemingly don't fit any role. 
• I returned from a trip to Rabat after 3 days, which was supposed to be 2 weeks. I came home defeated, deflated and lacking motivation. 
• Being home sick whilst in Hong Kong and missing some opportunities with other interns, simply because I felt down. Forgetting that you can change your mood, your outlook with your train of thought. 

To be honest, I can't say I had many lows this year. I have felt the first feeling a lot this year, I mean it constantly plays on my mind due to never wanting to fail. However, a lot more horrible things are possible. Overall, 2014 has been an amazing year, and I hope to continue experiencing seeing new wonderful things and meeting positive people. Thankful for people and experiences that has made up this year.

Finding Motivation

Finding Motivation
It's the 8th week into the 1st term of the 3rd year at University. I know a lot of people are at this same stage in life. I also know there are several people also lacking motivation just like me.
You somehow start off term so excited, so eager, so ready.
For me it was early mornings, library sessions everyday and reading everyday. That turned into several times a week to hardly a few days a week. It's difficult to keep yourself motivated when there aren't any formal deadlines. I am living proof.
There are however a few things I do to stay motivated.

1. Write down goals.
A lot of people say this, but genuinely I think it helps. A daily reminder of your goal (maybe it's writing an essay, doing exercise or drinking more water). When you write down these goals there is no way for you to avoid thinking about it.
Write it down where you can see it, post it note, notebook, phone notes, phone background.

2. Getting out of Bed
I find if you get out of bed early enough in the morning it just motivates and sets the tone for the day. The earlier you are awake, the less other people are, the less distractions there are. Especially in a student household. Wake up anytime before 10am, you're guaranteed to have the house to yourself and silence (if that is what you like). And yes getting out of bed is the hardest part, your alarm rings at 7am and you feel groggy and can't even seem to open your eyes. But once you roll out of bed and into the bathroom, you're instantly energised. I've recently been reading a book called "Find Your Happiness" and it is about a journey of a woman who took a few steps over a year to change her perceptions and actions to find her happiness. One of her goals was "act how you want to feel", so if you want to feel energised, get up and about, and you're almost, I say almost, guaranteed to be more energised.

3. Talk to People Who Motivate You
It's easy in a University environment to find people who can motivate you. Most people will have an end goal in sight, most probably a job. We are also all hoping to gain qualifications from this, and it is hugely motivating to find people going through the same thing as you. To talk about your goals, to talk about what you are doing on your journey. If your University friends aren't motivating, your home friends, your parents, your cousins. There is somebody. Maybe even those people who have supposedly "reached" their goals, talk to them, it is bound to make you feel more motivated.

4. Reading Blogs/Books About Motivation
I love reading things to do with anything, motivation, happiness, academic studies. It is my way of procrastinating when I'm not reading my formal work. There are lots of places to find motivational words if you don't wish to fork out on a book. BLOGS mostly, wherever you look there is motivation everywhere. Daily there is bound to be an established blogger writing about how they've been motivated, what they look for for motivation, and how they continue to be motivated. Give them a read. Places like Elite Daily and Thought Catalog are also great places for motivation for millennial's, and everything in between.

5. Dream 
Those few seconds for me before bed before I past out, I dream about my goals, and that mostly gives me motivation for the morning to roll out of bed. It almost always dictates my dreams durning my sleep too and makes it that little bit easier to get up.

I always find solace in a motivational quote too, and they are everywhere online.
So if you're a student, or anybody lacking in motivation right now, give these little things a try. If they don't help, don't do anything drastic to me please. Enjoy and hopefully it helps!