We were once at the airport and everyone spotted a well known Zimbabwean singer. Some may say legend but depends on who you ask, either way it was a big deal. You could see that everyone knew who he was and wanted to say something but they were afraid or didn’t know how to do it. This included us, we were pretty excited. Of course I was 9–10 so I’m editorializing but he said stay here and see how it’s done 😂 and just like that he walked up to him, introduced himself and shook his hand.
When he came back we asked “What did you say?” and “What did he say?” And he’s like “I just introduced my self and told him in a fan of your music”. I was in awe because 9 year old me could never and still hadn’t figured out exactly how to talk to strangers but 30 something year old me learnt from the best and there are not many people that intimidate me, rightly or wrongly.
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
I think the best strategy to cope with negative feelings is figuring out why you are feeling that way. Is it something that has been bubbling up but you have just been ignoring it?
I was watching a video about getting jealous of friends and of course everyone is perfect on the internet and no-one has ever been jealous of a friend or compared themselves with an acquaintance. I, however, could totally relate to that feeling of wondering “What am I doing wrong?” or “How come this hasn’t worked for me?”
I think one thing that is often triggering is having a wonderful or normal day scrolling on your phone, and before you know it, all you can think about is what is wrong with your life. In these situations I think you just need to sit with yourself and reflect, pray or really dig deep to think why did that make me feel bad? Is this something that I actually want, care about or do I just think I want it because someone else has it.
Another thing to consider is what it represents for you; you may see your friend making more money and think that’s what you want but in reality you haven’t realized that you hate your job and desire a change. So you get that negative feeling but it is really nothing to do with that “LinkedIn post” but instead what you are feeling is a desire for change in your life.
I find once you identify what is giving the negative feeling power it’s easier to cope with it. If you don’t know why you are feeling that way it’s easy to drown in that feeling. Lastly the best way to cope with negative feelings is to know that this feeling will pass, nothing is permanent.
The first computer we had in the house was white and I remember my mum being excited that it was coming and it would be “connected to the internet”.
I didn’t really know what she meant but she seemed excited. When it came we didn’t really know what to do with it, but we quickly learnt how to use the paint application. Did they call it application then? I can’t remember but we started using that and some of the games. I remember solitaire but that may have been later. I also remember mine ball mine something. Till this day I still don’t know how to play that game. You would click, click, click and then boom you couldn’t click any more or the title bomb would explode and you had to restart.
I remember playing with Microsoft word using the word art. All different font all for us to all settle on times new roman or arial. I also remember a special place being set up for the computer, and I know that to do certain things we would have to connect to the landline and the landline would not be working. Something I know to be dial up. I also remember my grandfather making sure or telling us to be careful.
I don’t think understood the importance of the computer but now I as do my work primarily on a computer from anywhere in the world I see it’s importance. I wonder if that will be the same for AI. I’m older than my mum and dad were when they first got a computer but I wonder if they knew it’s significance or they just thought that a cool gadget to have.
He once told me that if you do something, make sure you do it well so that if others do it after you, you will not be ashamed. You will be proud of what you have done despite what comes after.
There are things that I constantly think I have to do, ways my life will go but even when the universe shows me it has its own agenda, I still plan and plan.
I have a journal that tracks my thoughts, that I should be able to use but I forgot it at home so I can’t see exactly what dream I had last year. Let me think, I think, I joked I would be at the Christmas market plus one but instead I will be at the Christmas markets plus one.
In the past year I’ve had some disappointments and some successes, but honestly I think 2025 was a very laid back year. 2023 and 2024 were emotionally exhausting. Yes I could have done more but I didn’t, I’m trying to move at my own pace and give myself grace for what I did do. So I’ll assess if my life today is what I pictured a year ago.
Family – I’m realizing that family is not a fixed thing, it evolves as you do. It expands and contracts. I didn’t think mine would grow from the ones I grew up with, but it did and come what may I’m happy about it.
Career – I think I’m coasting. I could do more but I have no real interest and in part it could be because I have not been bold. I have not asked for more nor have I taken any risks. I am slowly becoming fat off the hog or should I say complacent with my golden handcuffs?
Friends – I’m reassessing many friendships and wondering if they still fulfill me outside of thinking we have been friends for ages. But on the other hand it seems almost impossible to make new friends and any attempts in doing so are met with “let’s meet up” then never come to fruition. I’ve also found my self thinking do I actually like this person or do they actually like me?
Wellness – Emotionally I think I am better than I have been in a long time yet I’m physically failing. I am still walking Lolah everyday but the gym has been hit and miss.
Creative Pursuits – I have ideas, oh sooo many ideas but the execution is always delayed.
Am I where I thought I would be last year? Well I’m in the correct country, with the right person, writing this blog so no not exactly but I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
P.S. I worked out this morning so I know I’ll get back to peak wellness
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