If there’s one thing I’ve learned more than anything in recent months, it’s to not hold back from what you truly want to do, to be happy and healthy.

Granted, some of the things I choose to do can get a little extreme [for me] from time to time- from standing barefoot atop the slippery edge of a tall waterfall, to traveling on my own and striking up conversations with interesting people I would have not otherwise have had the chance to meet…

I can honestly say I have grown a lot by facing my fears and insecurities over the years, but it’s especially obvious as of lately, as I’m learning to open up [not that I’m  not an `open book` as it is..], but more on a personal level with people. I grew to find I’m not shying away from specific situations, but rather, making the most of whatever life has to throw at me at any given moment.

That’s not to say I’ve turned into a social butterfly -I haven’t by any means- I’m still that cliched tortured poet type who loves to hide away in my `cave`… but getting out and experiencing the world to the best of my ability has done wonders for me as a person. I cannot begin to explain how much better I’m feeling, with the right kinds of people and experiences I choose to include in my life.

We all need to find our purpose[s] and personal `support groups` in life– after all, a life without purpose is a life without meaning, no?

This is not written in any way assuming such things are simple and easy to come across.. I know becoming a musician, blogger, model, etc. wasn’t always on my list of things to achieve in life, it just turned out this is where I wound up for the time being… this is the stuff that makes me happy. And I don’t care whether society deems it a `real job` or not- others are not the ones living my life, so who are they to decide? I just know this is what I need to be doing right now, and I don’t argue with that gut instinct.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, if it feels right to you, do it… What is right for one person isn’t necessarily for others, so while still being open to [hopefully unbiased] opinion, it is ultimately your own opinion and esteem that defines who you are and the things you choose to do.

And if nothing else, just get out and take a walk by yourself- exercise, aside from the obvious physical health reasons, gets the brain moving [good fix for lethargy] and releases those feel-good chemicals that contribute to a natural high and overall positive outlook on life.

Like, yeah, we all have our super-shitty days [some more than others], but it’s up to us to decide the perspective we choose to adopt.

If you’re not the type of person to jump head first into an experience just for the thrill of it, then by any means, don’t… But also don’t be afraid to take baby steps just outside those normal, yet irrational, `limits` we set for ourselves. Life, and the ability to make our own decisions, are two of the most precious gifts we could be given– why, ever, take them for granted?

Have you done anything lately that took you out of your personal comfort zone, in positive ways?
#lifestyle