Cold Hands, Warm Heart

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Thanks to a friend who'd posted this book's review on her instagram. Once I read "Do not rush. Get ready to relax and unwind." as a highlight, I think I need this book to enlighten me, who always happen to get through a chaotic day, inevitably.

Have you ever feel that time flies really fast that you cannot digest everything at once? You barely enjoy the moment. You listen to a song but you're not appreciate every tone on it, you eat an ice cream but you can't tell the taste, it was a new year's eve and then bam... it's the end of the year again. Sounds familiar? That happens because you're not living in the moment, you've taken everything for granted. This world turns you into inhumane and not feel a thing.

Picture 1: Book Cover of Sloth Philosophy

So, this book will teach us how to live our life in a sloth way. Sloth is the slowest animal on earth, They spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees. The analogy of a Sloth from this book is trying to illustrate how we could use this Sloth Philosophy to slow the fuck down, no need to rush about evertyhing. Especially for every hustlers out there, the question is: What are you chasing? What's the rush? What is it, actually? Repeat this questions whenever you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.

It happened to me once, I got plenty of work to do and the deadline is pretty tight. My boss kept pushing me to get everything done at once which made me really stressed for fuck's sake, I skipped breakfast, I was late for lunch, I didn't have much time to catch up with friends on break lunch. This thing though, really took up our time. We commit to a lot of things we don't necessarily want or need to do. Yes, I admit it's requisite and part of our job when it comes to work. But most of the times, I ignore my own needs in order to do it. I need to rethink my priorities. And part of slowing down from Sloth Philosophy is realising you don't have to do everything or be all things to everyone.

Fact about Sloth:

"Sloths travel about 40 yards per day or about 6cm per second. They don't care how long it takes to get anywhere. They're chill, slow and steady wins the race remember, if Sloths were into racing – which they're not."

Picture 2: Fun Facts about Sloth

There are five aspects that we can learn from Sloth-Guru that should be considered:

1. Health and Wellness

How many times you choose Fast Food instead of chopping your own salad and fruit? The reason is pretty simple, we'd rather choose something that won't troublesome us on the sidelines of our busy life. Try to slow down for better health, go to grocery store, pick some veggie and fruits to fill your trolley.

2. Breath Deeply

Breathing should be an easy thing to do, we do it every second in our life. The problem is, we’re often not breathing effectively, and this can negatively impact our health. We’re so tense, or hunched over, that we’re barely taking in or exhaling more than a little puff of air. So straighten up. Set your shoulders back. Give those lungs room to expand. And take a deep breath.

3. Seek The Quiet Place

Picture 3: Sloth in a quiet place

When was the last time you're on a quiet place and all you do is just stare at the stars? Nah, been a long time ago right? Skygazing will soothe your nerves instantly. Stop for a moment, and look up for thirty seconds per day is enough.

4. Don't let the hates get you down

Life can be tough sometimes. People can be judgemental about our looks, our lifestyle, our flaws. They might say mean or petty shit that'll spread the negativity which can impacts our mental health. We need to control our anger and ignore the negatives, enjoy our life the way sloth did. Everyday feels like Friday.

5. Embrace Forest Bathing

" Popularised in Japan, where it’s been an important part of preventative medicine since the 1980s, shinrin-yoku means ‘forest bathing’ or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’. Spending time in nature – literally looking at trees – is scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure and stress levels as well as improve sleep quality, mood, energy levels and focus. Sloths already know this, of course – that’s why they’re so stress-free. So go find a forest and stand in it. Even a little park will do. Breathe in and out, look around and go ahead – give a tree a hug. You’ll feel better." (Quoting from the book)

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Picture 1: Marge and Homer at the Simpsons.

The title of this post is quoting from Judith Hanson Lasater, she's an american yoga instructor and also a writer. I read this quotes somewhere in Refinery29 page, and it really hit me.

You know when they said Life begins at the end of your comfort zones is totally true, you won't upgrade your level until you get your ass out and make something happen. I've been complaining and wrote a lot of rants about how my life stuck in a second gear, how I hate my job, how I haven't achieved anything at this age. Ironically, I did nothing to change that situation either. I am a whiny woman without a single act. Tiny Whiny Dita, she think by whining she can change everything.

At the end of november, my friend (who has been obssessed with Japan) asked me to come with her to a NIN2 Japanese Companies Job Fair at Ritz Carlton Kuningan. I agreed, we made a reservation to get a barcode a week before the event. Plot twist, It was raining on that day, I wanted to cancel my appointment because I was a lazybones. But my friend still persuaded me "Come on, it's a great opportunity unless you want to stay on your job for 10 years then I couldn't say anything.." lol those words slapped me in the face, so okay why the hell not. Without any expectation, I spread my cover letter plus resume sheet to several companies. Because you know how desperate I was.

After two weeks, I was contacted by a recruiter from a company that I've been submit my application to. They called me for an interview, I was really apprehensive at first but it went really well at the end. I really want this job even more after I did some digging about the company profile which really assuring because it is the largest retail in Asia. But I don't want to put my hopes up too high. So I kept telling myself "Okay, you have pass the interview and now let God do the rest..."

Not long enough to wait though, a great thing did happen afterwards, a recruiter called me to inform that I got the job, we talked about salary negotiation and they offer me a good package employment deal including all the benefits. Therefore, without a second thought, I took it. I finally nailed it!! The process is really fast, It took only one week square away. I still can't believe till now. One thing that I can't hardly wait was to quit my current job at the end of December. I feel so effing relieved, so happy, so sad at the same time. I mean this is what I really want, but I have to leave all of this routine that I have lived in for these past two years and almost a half. But what I learned from this year is if I change nothing in my life, then nothing will changes. I need to step out of my comfort zone, because that's when the magic happens.

Could you imagine what would happen if I let myself fell asleep or napping in my room instead of came to job fair that day? Just because it was raining for crying out loud I almost losing such a great opportunity. Thanks to my friend, who was being very supportive. I wouldn't be able to get this chance without her, I owe her one. So guys, lesson learned; Do not miss the boat.

The time has finally come, I told my boss that I quit the job. You should see the look on his face, he was a bit surprised and freeze for a second, it seems like he refused to believe. He lectured me and tried to make me scared about the real work-life that he was pretty sure I wouldn't survive. He tried to hold me back with his persuasive speech by offer me a raise. However I told him this is my final decision and I know exactly what he was trying to say, but I chose to take and embrace a new challenge, leading in this field where I actually wasn't very experienced instead of stay in a safe role. Certainly, you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. No job is without risk, but the new challenge represent an opportunity for growth.

Well apparently this new year, I'm gonna have a whole new adventure; The revival for myself. New job, new friends, new environment. I hope everything will going smoothly as I wish, I hope I know what's going on in my life in this late 20's. Because I've spent a lot of fun these past three years but now I have to put myself together, get something out of my system and let's facing the real adulthood life. Stop messing around with all the mundaneness, because the time is over.

Anyway, Happy new year y'all!

Notes: I have been blogging this since third week of december, but now I'm forcing myself to finish this post. I'm lack of productivity lately.