All day we are given choices; some days it's whether or not we choose to spend money at Mucho-Burrito or get a kick start on that lengthy paper. Even though we can be strongly influenced by others, what we decide to do is ultimately up to ourselves. It is important to recognize that some things in life we have no control over but knowing that typically, we have the choice on how we spend our time.

Making decisions can be exhausting, especially with a personality like myself. I am constantly taking factors and people into consideration (important) but it makes me incredibly indecisive. I want what is best for others and what is a healthy choice for myself. It is not only people that we affect when we make choices, there are also many other factors that come into play. I ask myself several questions before making decisions, like, will this action effect my financial situation? Am I in need of this? Why is it important that I pursue this choice? Is this an efficient use of my time? Am I giving back? What happens if I don't follow through? What are the consequences of this choice? Who will be involved?

I have been inspired to reflect on making big decisions as they can be demanding of our time, require deep thought and reflection. Big decisions such as, pursuing university and accepting that you'll be in major debt or taking an expensive international trip with no guarantee of the outcome. Making decisions can be overbearing especially when things are time sensitive. I find that my thoughts never leave my mind when I do not address them; it's as if there is a fish tank in my brain and a little girl keeps knocking on the glass. There are some things we have to address and some things we have to let go of. I read a quote once (thank you Pinterest) it said, "It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to, has power over you, if you allow it." - Leon Brown. So true. I remind myself of this when I need to build up the confidence to think clearly in my thoughts.

So ironic! This morning I started the beginning of this blog but during today, in my innovation class, we delved into the topic of decision making. Oh how I learned so much, to the point where I add lecture notes to this blog (do I APA reference this?) aha. My professor brought up the notion that rather than waiting to make a decision when the timing is right, we should go about making sense of things. In this mindset we become more open and in touch in knowing that the word is dynamic. What I took away today is that attitude plays a huge role in the process of deciding/making sense of things. The way you view something or the emotions that are tied to the problem itself can impact the way you approach and or struggle to approach a decision.

Every year I find that there are reoccurring times when I have to make a few big decisions. It seem to always be regarding how I spend my spring and summer months. During the school year I am pretty set with my schedule, I fill my time with part time work, I focus on school, and I make time to play. The spring however is a mess, well January/February is a mess because you need to prep for so many things!

1. Where are you going to live this summer zo?

2. You going to find a practicum?!

3. Are you completing your last expedition for school?

4. Are you going to sell your car?

5. Are you going to take the time to look for a new one?

6. Do you have the money to get one?

7. Do you have your work schedule lined up for the seasons?

8. Do you need more gear?

9. No school? so much time, what shall I do?! (jk it is going to fly by like every other year - still be smart with time management)

10. Can you find a yoga teacher training?

11. Can you afford yoga teacher training?

12. Will you apply for spring loans? How will you do that?

13. Are you going to apply for scholarships?

15. When are you going to do your taxes?

16. Can you save money for a mountain bike? (I shall and I will, fingers crossed)

17. Should I not attempt to do some of these because together they may be too much? Is there something I need to let go of or not address right now?

I recognize that these are more than a few choices I have had or have yet to make decisions about! aha but as my wise friend Brooklyn tells me all the time, quote on quote, "Rome wasn't built in a day." And that is just it. As a read through this list I remembered feeling that girl knocking on the fish tank in my brain. I swear for months and months I repeat to myself and to others "I need to sell my car, I need to sell my car" or "darn where am I going to look for places to live this summer?" OMG Zo giver diesel and get it done!

Once apon a time, I was in my sisters classroom, working on an assignment and I fell apart. Not because my assignment was hard, I am in ETOL... I eventually figured it out. No, I fell apart (for roughly 8.5 minutes) because I was overwhelmed with the amount of decisions I had to make. I felt an incredible amount of pressure and no desire to approach the first decision. My sister expressed to me that this list of 16 questions (I am sure there is more) above, have accumulated to this extent because I do not have the time to sit down and asses some of these issues. It is not an excuse as such but it is because I fill my time so much that I neglect to set time aside for dealing with these thoughts in my brain - all day erry day. Ayra is so right and I am so grateful for her support because something has got to give in order for me to asses the problems and make it a priority so I don't go crazy or have a list of 16 things I feel the need to asses in one day! (Rome, Rome, Rome). Looking like I needed more down time or less Netflix binging.

After our conversation I began taking action slowly but surely. Even when I made the time to focus on one issue, It gave me clarity and I have been feeling more lighter and grounded in my spring and summer plans.

I am SOOO HAPPPY to say that I have made some decisions on my own with the support of many people. I feel like it has taken some time, but all things do :)

What I can say for sure, confidently like a lion,

YOUR GIRL UPGRADED ON AN AUTOMOTIVE

MACHINE!

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What an emotional roller coaster it was driving

this puppy home! Big adulting decision on my part. I could write a blog solely on my experience

with vehicles and the events to which led me to this choice but I shall sum up. This decision took so long for I was nervous to commit and justify giving up my green jelly bean of a car. I am so proud of myself for being capable of owning a car. Being financially independent has been so rewarding. I am paying for this car on my own. This car is safe and reliable. This car is going to take me on epic adventures. (spoiler alert, it already has taken me on a few!)

I FOUND A PRACTICUM!

A goal that I have achieved, I've found a perfectly fitting practicum position in Calgary! I get to job shadow two incredible high school teachers this spring!

Picture this,

Yoga & Natural Sciences + my ETOL degree = guaranteed awesome opportunity to find out if education will be the route I take in the future! I am so exited to spend time getting high school kids pumped to get outdoors! Looking forward to planning and scheduling my availability/what I want to do with the students. I was looking and contacting many organizations about a practicum position for the past year but this one fit and it came so organically and smoothly. Stay tuned to for the spring!

I registered for Kid's Yoga Teacher Training in Calgary & A Wilderness 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Canmore. <3 <3 <3

A few of my yoga girls above (Laura, Libby, & Trista)

Yoga has been a part of my life since I was a pre-teen. I am now constantly surrounded by yogis and practicing any chance I get. I have been highly involved in the yoga community since I have been with Karma Yoga Calgary. I began as an energy exchanger and am now a manager of the studio! I love the space, the students, the teachers. More and more I am inspired to take my training to enhance my practice, encourage others to take time on their mat, and pursue a career direction in the field of health and wellness. When I came across a "wilderness" training, my jaw dropped! My style. <3 This training fits perfectly into my spring and summer schedule so I couldn't be more thrilled. The cost of this training is heavy which has prevented me from taking the initiative to sign up. I am very driven and determined yet mindful of my circumstances so the decision to commit to the training was a difficult one. Again, I am proud and confident to say that I will be making these payments on my own! I am confident. I am strong. I am going to be a yoga teacher?! (upgrade from zumba i'd say - still gonna dance in my room though).

Other things to look forward to, that have been decided/made sense of:

- Biking expedition with Kaylee (where/when exactly idk) but its official - Summer 2018!

- Working as a summer outdoor camp leader at OC

- Living in Calgary - staying at my place :) yahhsss

- Scholarships have been applied for!

- Put my car on Kijiji!

I was the one who struggled with what to do but I am also the one who decided what was best for myself! I am in control. I am confident. To be honest, I feel this way because I work so much!

#workhardplayhard

Namaste,

Zohee xxx.