Is it laziness or a manifestation of boredom and the desire for newer and greater things?

I’ve always been a perfectionist and I’ve generally always been a hard worker – both academically and in my employment. I succeeded throughout my academic career and, thus far, can’t complain at my professional achievements. However, day by day, my career ambitions and job satisfaction crumble down around me. I’m trapped in a vicious cycle.

It’s like a weekly battle within me: the young and ambitious lawyer versus the free-spirit who wants to travel, spend time making the most of life and channelling energy into more creative projects with a hope that, once and for all, I will finally feel satisfied.

This constant battle isn’t new though; it’s ever present. The intensity of the feelings fluctuates. From time to time they may rest silently in abeyance. But, I know that they will return. It’s something that I cannot shut myself off from.

I feel like a broken record caught constantly repeating the same expressions of woe, misery, frustration and confusion. For this, I apologise. I just don’t know how to deal with the problem.

Giving everything up at once for a complete change of lifestyle is an incredibly huge choice to make and carries with it phenomenal risks. But, I am still young and nobody is dependent on me. Perhaps now is the time to take the jump.

I know that I take what I have for granted. It’s a fundamental flaw in my being. I am lucky. But, I long to feel more satisfied. I long for time to focus on enjoying life. I don't want to be immersed in the numbing and absurdly obscure daily routine. Have human beings really evolved over the years to find ourselves, in the 21st century, caught up in a daily cycle that ultimately revolves around the misery of working for money simply to 'make ends meet' whilst making even more money for somebody else in the process? Don’t we all deserve to enjoy our individual presence, identity, life, opportunities and choices? Shouldn’t we be able to give things up, make mistakes, learn from our mistakes and take risks all in the name of searching for happiness, to be content and to enjoy every last minute that we have of our precious and short time on Earth?

Maybe I’m being naive. It’s possible that my thoughts are still clouded by childlike dreams of living in blissful happiness. But, I’d rather attack life with childlike naivety and learn from my mistakes than survive (un)comfortably within a box that society built for me.

Ideally, I wouldn’t have to work at all. However, this is, on the whole, an unrealistic prospect as, much to my dismay, we all need money. Thus, seeking employment that provides job satisfaction is key to a happier life.

Herein lies the problem. What career will give me complete job satisfaction? Will I ever feel satisfied? Am I just getting lazier and lazier as I grow or are my feelings genuinely well founded and simply a manifestation of boredom and the desire for newer and greater things?

The Daily Rat Race

A rat race is for rats. We're not rats. We're human beings. Reject the insidious pressures in society that would blunt your critical faculties to all that is happening around you, that would caution silence in the face of injustice lest you jeopardise your chances of promotion and self-advancement. This is how it starts, and before you know where you are, you’re a fully paid-up member of the rat-pack. The price is too high. It entails the loss of your dignity and human spirit. Or as Christ put it, “What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?" - Jimmy Reid.

Reality is OK for a short break away, but I wouldn't want to live there.

An update and a birthday...

You're ridiculously overdue a blog update...sorry.

Although, there have been no ripples during my period of absence which generally gives me the impression that nobody noticed nor cared. Standard.

However, whilst pretending that somebody is reading this and does care, I'll continue.

I've been working and living in London for nearly six weeks now. It has been incredible so far.

I always loved London. But, living here gives me a sense of pride and achievement. There's a 24-hour buzz that I longed for. The pace of life is so much faster and I find it exhilarating. Each morning, no matter how tired I feel or how grey the day has begun, the walk over Vauxhall Bridge on my way to the office revives my spirit. The incredible view across the River Thames. The sight of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Gherkin.

I just hope my love of the city doesn't fade. I hope my experiences only get better. I hope to meet more new and interesting people and discover more of the city's beautiful, hidden treasures.

I must go out with my camera and take more photographs to feature on a blog.

Tomorrow, I'm due to return back home to Manchester. It's my 23rd birthday on Monday and the weekend will be spent catching up with family and, hopefully, some friends.

Happy Birthday to me. :-)

Thanks for reading.

Spring Time in Britain

Yesterday, Good Friday, was the most beautiful day of the year so far.

The good weather opened my eyes to just how truly beautiful the English countryside is.

If the weather was warmer year round (or at least guaranteed throughout the Summer months), there would be less of a desire to escape to foreign countries...

These are just a few photographs I took (again, using Instagram!).

 

 

 

Some pretty pictures...

I took the below photographs during my short holiday in Gran Canaria (March 2011) using Instagram, a pretty cool photography app for the iPhone.

Beautiful, eh?

A New Chapter In My Life?

It has been a while since I last posted on my blog as I have been really busy over the past few weeks.

I've had a lot of work on, which has occupied much of my time. I also enjoyed an absolutely incredible trip to Gran Canaria in March. The weather was beautiful, the people were so friendly and the holiday was short but perfect. It was an ideal escape away from the stresses back home.

Spring has well and truly arrived in England. Whilst there have been the usual overcast days, chilly winds and rain, we've also enjoyed some stunning weather. It's great to see the days becoming longer, the buds on the trees growing and the blossom and flowers blooming.

Moving on to the main purpose of this post...it's with great pleasure that I announce some exciting news. I've recently secured a job in London and, all being well, I am due to move down in early May!

I've written regularly about my love of London and big cities, so I'm just really really excited to move down. Hopefully, it's a step further in my career and I'm really looking forward to starting.

The pessimistic part of my inner-self is concerned with events occurring that might prevent me moving down...I am crossing my fingers and hoping that everything goes to plan!

I'll keep you updated...!