Who Moved My Cheese

What would you do if you weren't afraid? - Dr. Spencer Johnson 

In 2006 I started a relationship from which I knew it was not as it should be. However, I did not stop it. I put in more and more effort to try to change this person. In April 2010 I finally ended it and did not understand why I hadn't done it earlier. Of course I was devistated, cried for days and thought it was the end of my life! This person, this place, this house had been my life, my solid ground. 

Today, I understand why I kept doing it for so long. I was afraid of change. 

The funny thing is that I have been moving around the world quite a lot over the last couple of years. I tried many different things. Worked in restaurants, did a snowboard instructor course and worked as one for five seasons, studied different things and lived in five different countries. Apparently, I am not afraid of change. However, in this relationship I was. In April 2010 I decide to go to New Zealand even if I was afraid. I tattooed 'What doesn't kill me makes me stronger' on  my back and went for it. Today, I found 'New Cheese', good tasting 'Cheese', interesting Cheese, Cheese that makes me happy and I would not have found this 'Cheese' if I didn't decided I needed change. 

However, I see many people around me staying at the same place, hoping to come back to the same over and over and over again. But life changes, people change, jobs and university change and we shouldn't stick our head in the sand but face it. Be honest to yourself and think for one minute what you would have done if you hadn't been afraid for change. Maybe change job a long time ago or end the relationship you are in? Even small changes can make you feel fresh again or give you new energy.

When I came back to Austria in October after three months of being in New Zealand and an awesome trip to Thailand, my friends told me I had changed, and I did. I see things different now, I am far more relaxed and see new possibilities and found new interests. Today, I am working hard to start my own company, I'm enrolled in a Master in Digital Marketing, smile way more, enjoy life much more and have an awesome boyfriend! 

Of course I have been thinking about my life a lot over the last months but it really made me realise how it all developed after reading this awesome book. Some of you may know that I am a book worm and love to read. I am also aware of the fact that not the whole world shares this passion with me, however, the next book you have to read! It only takes about an hour, is easy to read and will change the way you think. Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

Go for it and let me know what you are planning of changing ;) 

Working in Auckland, New Zealand

'A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving' -  Lao Tzu 

I'm Back.

I'm back in New Zealand. I arrived four days ago and it feels like I've never been back to Europe.  Everything is still the same, only the temperature has gone up with about 20 degrees :) 

After some awesome days and nights (due to my friend called Jet lag) in Wellington I went back up to Auckland on Sunday to see and move in again with my amazing friends Kate and Menz, Bernie and Spalding. It's like I never left and the bullying started the minute I walked in, good to be home again and enjoy such a warm welcome :)

Although I wanted to leave my friend/foe called thesis at home, he somehow managed to slip into my backpack and follow me to the other side of the world....mmmm....Guess I have to deal with him here now, as well. He is kind of demanding and likes to take a lot of my time and energy but I can't keep avoiding him. I tried to leave him behind in China, as my backpack stayed there a little longer than I did but he managed to track me down anyway. 

Of course I did make some plans before I came here (I tried to) but did not manage to find a job that actually fits my thesis writing and researching schedule. Therefore, I am in Auckland, plan less, job less and broke :) Welcome to my world! I checked to regular websites and did apply for some jobs. My socialising helped as well and therefore, I hope to get a job soonish :) I'm a positive person and it will be all good in the end. 'What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!'. 

From now on I will be writing more on my blog again and keep you up to date about the second part of my awesome New Zealand journey :) But let's get a job first ;)