The Power of: Saying Yes (when you feel like saying no)

If you can preface a travel post by saying "I'll never forget that moment when..." then you know you're doing something right.

I've had these photos saved in a draft blog post since I first blogged about Switzerland in early 2017, but I knew that this profound personal experience deserved something more than just a visual diary. 

As you may recall, my first stop after arriving in Europe was Zurich, something that was not on the top of my bucket list. On the second day of being in the city, we visited my friend's friend who had relocated there for of her husband's job. I still remember that anxiety and discomfort of going to a stranger's home and meeting someone new for the first time. If only I was better at saying no, I thought. Given that we were only there for a few days, I could've explored the city on my own instead of tagging along to my friend's catch up. I kept this internal turmoil to myself (as always) and tried my best to socialise. 

The next day, my friend said she was planning to meet up with her friend and her three kids again to go swimming. The discomfort of meeting someone new has slightly faded after the first encounter, but I still felt like an outsider tagging along (and the thought of having to be in my swimwear gave me the sweats). I imagined myself going all the way to Zurich to swim in a YMCA pool. But again, I decided to say yes and went along. 

As you can see from these photos, saying yes gave me an experience that I never expected to have.

We all ended up hopping into the car and drove to Walensee, located about an hour outside of Zurich. When we got there, we took a cable car up the mountain. 

Holy freaking moly. It was one of the best views of nature that I've ever seen. 

Once we got off the cable car, we walked along a few paths until we reached a picnic area. Insane greenery and mountain views greeted us at every turn - I couldn't believe that this place was so easily accessible to the people who lived there. We spent the afternoon drinking fresh glacier water and picking (and eating) wild blueberries. 

By the time we went back down the mountain, I had won over the three kids and we were playing together on the play equipment (which just casually had an expansive view of the Swiss countryside) and swimming in the glacial lake. By saying "yes", I got to venture to a part of Switzerland that I didn't know about and experience what the locals get to enjoy.

From that moment on and all throughout my exchange, I decided to say yes more often (even when I really felt like saying no). Once I started consciously saying yes, I became more aware of how often I felt like saying no. This most often occurred in social events when I didn't know anyone well (like birthday parties), or when I just didn't feel like going out. Despite the fact that I am an introvert, I realised that this fear (that turns into a 'NO') had been stopping me from unique and enjoyable experiences. 

So here's to saying YES (assertively in capital letters) more often, even when you feel like saying no. Learn to be mindful of when the irrational fear wants to take over and stop you from having a good time. Say to it, "thanks, but I'm just going to feel the fear and do it anyway", and enjoy every unique experience.

The Power Series

Sunday 26 March 2017, 6.30pm 

A spontaneous 20-minute drive to Balmoral Beach to catch the sunset, after over eight months of travelling overseas and not being by the Aussie water. 

By 7.30pm, back at home and meal-prepping for the week ahead.

I would say that the turning point of my life (well, the first one) occurred sometime between 2015 and 2016. 

Prior to 2015, I went through days and months where I felt deeply unhappy about myself, my life and everything around me. There were days when I would remain completely sedentary, lying in bed, doing nothing. I had decided to take some time off university because I constantly felt stressed about studying, and socialising with my classmates felt like a chore. It felt like a stupid lazy move at the time. By that point, a few of my friends had already started working full-time...why would I want to extend my degree by another half a year? I was already behind.

Guess what, taking a gap year during university (I ended up deferring for another semester) was the best thing that I've ever done for myself. 

For the first time in my life, I focused on myself. Not in a selfish way. I listened to what I wanted, I learnt not to judge myself, I didn't tell myself off when things didn't go to plan. I took risks with friendships and my career, I travelled by myself for the first time. I moved out. I learnt to be single and to stop feeling sorry for myself. 

I never used to be spontaneous or go out by myself. But look at all the sunsets that I miss out on, just 20 minutes away from my doorstep, when I didn't take care of myself nor focus on growing myself!

So, I want to introduce the Power Series - a series reflecting on the power of designing our thoughts, actions and behaviour to live the 'best version of yourself'. 

I am by no means perfect. Soooo so far from it. Everyday I am still learning about myself and what I can do to live a happier, more fulfilling life. But through the C/M space, I would love to share with you guys (and also remind myself when the going gets tough) about what I've learnt so far through travelling, reading and looking after yourself.

What gives you power? Where does your power come from? I would love to know if there are any topics that you would like me to discuss in this series - leave me a message below!