Life has been a bit all over the place lately, but things are gradually starting to settle down a bit. During the last few months in 2013 I was extremely unhappy and decided to make a big change in 2014. At the end of January, I made the decision to resign from my job, the source of my unhappiness. I was scared and nervous because it meant I would be without a job for a while, but I am so much more happy. In between a part-time job and further job hunting I've been able to spend more time with my fiancé and my pups and re-connect with family and friends I hadn't seen in a while.
Life is full of never-ending happenings so I decided to share a few perk-me-ups that keep me going:
1. Imay and Yami, my two and three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and Pomeranian mixed puppies. They love to play and cuddle and they always make my day!
2. Reading. I love how reading can bring you to other worlds and adventures. I usually read from my phone or tablet, but I'm not reading anything at the moment.
3. Beach Days. There is nothing like a day at the beach. I love spending time at the beach to read, nap, or just watch the waves come in and out. When Imay and Yami here the word beach, they get really excited because they love going! (The picture below was taken at Seabright Beach.)
4. Tea. I have been drinking tea all my life and I can't live without it! I grew up eating/drinking rice and tea together. Has anyone else had or tried this? The tea I usually have with the rice is genmaicha (Japanese for green tea with roasted brown rice). Genmaicha is one of my favorite teas, but I love drinking all kinds because I enjoy the warm, cozy feelings plus the health benefits.
5. Blog Interaction. There is nothing like meeting fellow bloggers and interacting with them through blogging! I love reading comments from you and visiting you at your own blog. There are days where the interaction just makes my day! The blogging community is amazing and I'm so thankful for having all of you in my life.
5. Blog Interaction. There is nothing like meeting fellow bloggers and interacting with them through blogging! I love reading comments from you and visiting you at your own blog. There are days where the interaction just makes my day! The blogging community is amazing and I'm so thankful for having all of you in my life.
So those are my 5 perk-me-ups. I'd love to hear what yours are! Thanks so much for reading! ♥
I love this post! My dogs are one of my perks too. They always put a smile on my face, but it's especially true for Carter because he's so affectionate and is always following me around. Speaking of dogs, yours are so cute! I've only had medium sized dogs but I definitely want to get a small one in the future. Oh and reading! I love it so much. It's so relaxing and I love the feeling of getting lost into a book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! Aww I remember seeing pictures of Carter on your blog! He is such a cutie!! lol I think I want to get a medium-sized dog in the future :D But I will definitely be enjoying my time with Yami and Imay!
Deletehehe I love getting lost in a book too! It's such a great way to relax!
Oh my goodness your pups are adorable! Glad to hear that things are working out for you :)
ReplyDeleteAw thank you, Stephanie! I'm glad, too :D
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to quit! I would love to quit my job. I know it's the source of my unhappiness too. I have been applying everywhere with no luck.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Aw I know you'll be able to find something new! You are amazing! ♥
DeleteThanks for sharing Traci! Good for you for quitting a job that was making you unhappy! I'm not that happy at my job right now either... it's not stressing me out but it's really reaaaally boring and I've been at the same job for almost 6 years now. It pays the bills but I don't feel like I've accomplished anything each day :/ I've been thinking about quitting for a while too... I think it might make it easier to find a new job in terms of finding time to go for interviews plus not having a job would give me an extra push but I'm really worried about not being able to find a new job :(
ReplyDeleteYour dogs are really cute! I notice that Yami is Imay backwards... what's the story behind their names?
My dog Molly (shih tzu/poodle/mutt) always cheers me up too! Sadly I don't see her much anymore :( I decided to move out with my boyfriend a few months ago and decided it would be better to leave her with my parents. I didn't want her to be home alone for 8+ hours while we're at work. I visit her every weekend and sometimes I'll bring her to our little apartment for the weekend but it's not the same as seeing her everyday. There's honestly nothing like coming home from work and being greeted by a dog that is ridiculously happy to see you!
Aw I can see how your job makes you feel that way. I would hate to feel like I'm not accomplishing anything at work! You've been there for so long! I'm glad it's able to pay the bills, but I totally get how even though it pays the bills, it may not feel as rewarding for you. Yea, quitting this job gave me more time to search for something and really gave me that push. I hope whatever you decide to do will work out for you! I'm sure you will find a new job eventually!
DeleteHaha I love how you noticed their names! We got Yami first and named her Yami because it means "darkness" in Japanese. My sister actually came up with Imay when we got her since we weren't sure what to name her. We thought it was funny and cute that it was Yami backwards so we went with it!
Aww I'm sorry you don't get to see Molly as often! I'm glad you're able to see her once in a while though. Yea, having them to greet you when you get home is such a great feeling!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Stephanie!
Oh dear Traci, I knew something was going on, but not that is was this bad. I'm so happy you were able to resign from your job, that was brave and a decision like that can be so though: Staying could in the end wear you completely out and possibly make you ill and split up your relationship - bravo, well done.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so happy that you deep inside feel what a dramatic effect it had <3
And yes, those 5 things are fantastic perk-me-ups - thanks for sharing <3<3
Thank you so much, Maria! I'm so glad to have you as a friend in this blogging community! You're so right! The unhappiness took a toll on me and bringing it home to my fiancé was not good at all. Thank you for your kind comment!! ♥
DeleteSo proud of you Traci, it really does take courage to do something big like leaving your job...well done you! :)
ReplyDeleteYour puppies are adorable! Cody (my dog) was definitely one main pick me up before I lost her, dogs are just the best thing when you are feeling down. You are so lucky to live near a beach like that, it looks beautiful, glad you can spend time there. Blogging is definitely a great pick me up, I have been feeling a little rubbish lately about how little time I have had to spend on my own or other peoples, it really does cheer you up, hopefully I will have more time soon lol.
I hope you get to really enjoy your free time until you find your next job :)
Aw thanks so much, Shelley! You're going to make me cry lol. Yea, having a dog makes your life feel complete! I remember reading your post about when you lost Cody and it was so heart-breaking :( They really become part of your family and life.
DeleteI'm glad we're near a beach too. It's about an hour away so I hope in the future we'll be able to move a bit closer!
I hope you'll have more time for blogging too! I miss seeing your posts!! ♥
Good for you for having the courage to get away from the source of your unhappiness. Hopefully things have been looking up since then! Your pups are too adorable, and I love reading books on my iPad too!
ReplyDeleteLauren // Lipstick & Lacquer
Things have definitely been looking up! Thank you so much, Lauren! hehe my pups say thank you! Reading on the ipad is awesome! I love having all my books in one place :D
DeleteThis post made me smile. My past year has been a lot of ups and downs and its such a beautiful though to reconnect with what makes you happy. I may have to try this myself!
ReplyDeleteAw I'm so glad it did! Your comment made me smile! :D I hope you have a lot more ups the rest of the year!!
DeleteI love these types of posts! And I do drink tea every once in a while when I'm eating rice! Haha, we have that in common! Though, nowadays I usually grab myself a cup of tea after dinner. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denysia! lol yay I'm not the only one who does that hahah!! Yes, tea after dinner happens very often for me too :D
DeleteI'm so glad you quit a job that you didn't love! I hope that you find one that makes you happy!! Aw, I love your puppies!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad too! Thank you so much, Ina! I hope I do too :D hehe my puppies would most certainly love you too!!
DeleteAw, puppies, so cute! Good for you for making the leap to leave a job that was draining you. I did the same thing years and years ago, and it took a little while, but that move made room in my life for the job I have now, which is the best place I've ever worked.
ReplyDeletehehe my pups say thank you! Aw thanks, Karen! I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out well for you now! That makes me so happy that you ended up in the best place for you! :D
DeleteThose pups are just darling! I think that it takes incredible courage to make the decision you made, and it's very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThey say thank you! Aw thank you so much, Stephanie! It means so much to hear that :D
DeleteI'm so happy to hear that you're happy. Quitting a job is a big decision, but if that is the best thing for your sanity, so be it. I liked reading these posts.
ReplyDeleteMy perk me ups are spending time with friends, reading good books and catching up on my TV shows.
Thank you so much, Marisa! It really is a big (and scary) decision. I'm so glad you like reading these kind of posts :D
DeleteAw I love your perk me ups! Catching up on TV shows is the best!
I love seeing you do more personal posts. I've been really loving downtime!
ReplyDelete7% Solution
Aw thank you, Aki! I enjoy doing them too. I'll definitely start doing these more often :D Downtime is always good!
Deletegood for you for staying true to yourself and walking away from your source of unhappiness :) Loved this post!
ReplyDeleteAw thank you so much, Julie! I'm so glad you did!! ♥
DeleteI know walking away from your job was a BIG THING, but you've got your man, your fur babies and friends and family (both real and online) so there definitely were other things to feel positive about which I'm glad you were able to see! Life is far too short to be doing something that makes you unhappy (I might be doing something sort of crazy soon...)
ReplyDeleteAw Jayne! Thank you so much! I'm so glad to have all of you (no matter how far away) in my life! Life definitely is too short to live unhappily! Eek I know you had mentioned stuff before...good luck with everything!! Thanks for being such an amazing friend! ♥
DeleteI'm totally with you on 4 out of your 5 perk me ups ( I'm not a fan of tea). Its good that you were able to make some changes and take some burden out of your life. Today I was wishing I could just spend more time with my pup, boyfriend and friends so I know how you were feeling! Happy to hear you are doing well!
ReplyDeletelol awesome :D Are you a coffee person? Aw thanks, Frosso! Yea, having the time to spend with your pup and boyfriend is important! It really makes our days so much better! :D
DeleteGreat post! I'm happy for you! Change is good and I'm sure the perfect door will open for you.
ReplyDeletesometimes i feel miserable at my job (mostly due to very poor morale)... but lately my boyfriend has been packing my lunch for me and it perks me up and makes me smile a little when i eat my little sandwich :)
Aw you're so sweet. Thank you so much! Change is definitely good :D Aww that is wonderful! There's nothing like little things like that to make your day! I'm glad you have a boyfriend who does that for you!
Deleteyou are so brave for making this big change! i too have thought about doing the same (my work can be a roller-coaster ride) but fear has held me back for years and i am still undecided. i really love this post - your puppies are adorable and your perk-me-ups are very similar to mine!
ReplyDeleteAw thank you, Lesley. I hope whatever you decide that you are happy! ♥
DeleteI'm just now catching up on all your blog posts... good for you for making a change for the better in your life! I'm sure whatever you do next, you'll be great at it, and most importantly, I hope you'll find lots of happiness! PS: Your dogs are just adorable :)
ReplyDeleteAw hehe I've missed your comments! Thank you so much, Ellie <3
DeleteHehe my dogs say thank you! :D