Me this month

June

(source)

Travelling to Uluru and North Queensland!!!! I can’t believe it’s so close. In under two weeks I will be on a plane to the ‘Red Centre’ of Australia and embark on a three day camping trip making my way to the wonder that is Uluru. I’m so excited to learn more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage along the way; I think it’s something every Australian should experience and I’m expecting the insight will allow me to look at my country very differently. Next up I will travel to North Queensland basically in the hope that it will be warm enough to spend every day at the beach. I’m also going to visit the beautiful Daintree Forest. But what’s the most exciting part of it all? Read on to find out ;)

Eating protein snacks that are clean, packed with nutrients and just soooo darn easy to make. Most recently I made apple cinnamon protein bars and chocolate peanut butter biscuits. Drooling yet? I’m posting the recipes in the next few days.

Drinking hot water with lemon and honey every morning because BOO I have tummy issues but also YAY because it’s reminded me just how good drinking this every morning makes me feel! I’m sure you’ve probably heard the benefits before but here are some anyway – it’s cleansing, alkalizing,  energy boosting and most beneficial in my case right now, it aids digestion. Be gone bad toxins.

Watching bands play live! The highlights of my past two weekends have consisted of having a few brewskies (albeit probably too many) and heading to see an awesome band play a just as awesome set. Last weekend was Jinja Safari and this weekend I saw San Cisco (they’re from my home town Freo and are only like, 16 years old and just SO talented. Kinda makes me question what the hell I’m doing with my life haha). Seriously listen to both bands though, their music make me so happy I feel a need to dance whenever I hear them. Sweet, sweet vibes.

San Cisco

Shopping  for a Sky Diving experience. Ohhh yeah buddy. It was a new years resolution and I thought that if I’m going to do it, I have to do it in an absolutely stunning location. So when I decided to travel to North Queensland there was no stopping me. SO PUMPED! I’ll be sure to get a sweet video.

Listening – to my favourite songs from the past 20 years, thanks to the best radio station in the world aka Triple J. Every year they run the ‘Hottest 100’ which counts down the best songs of the previous year based on the publics votes. It’s a massive thing here in Aus. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hottest 100, they’re counting down the top 100 songs of the past 20 years. To vote I had to compile a list of my 20 favourites. It was so hard yet so rewarding!! Searching through all the songs just brought back so many great, hilarious memories. My number 1 song was Kasabian’s “L.S.F.” pretty much cos they’re the best band in the world. Ever. Also in the mix was Bon Iver, Green Day, System of a Down, Blink 182, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds…. and many more!

Reading…. I must admit, nothing (besides uni stuff but that doesn’t count). I just simply haven’t had time. But now that I’m going on holiday I’ll definitely need a good read or three – do you have any suggestions? :)

Have a fantastic June xx

Inspiration board: I’m a dreamer

Why stop dreaming when you wake up? My dreams are of the whimsical kind, where anything is possible and lightweight romantic clothing is worn constantly. My dreams are those for broad exploration, perhaps spurred on by the overwhelming sense of wanderlust I experience on a daily basis.

Sweet dreams xx

’12 in 200′ – part 2

Last Wednesday marked 200 days until summer in Australia, which got me thinking – how much can be achieved in 200 days? So I set out to make a list of things I want to achieve in this set time, forming my ’12 in 20′. Part 1 – here – saw my first 6 goals pertaining to Health & Fitness and Wellbeing. Here, I share with you the final 6 on Career & Money (that isn’t boring), Creativity and most importantly… ADVENTURE.

Money and Career

7. “Tread your own path”

Meet Scott Pape aka the ‘Barefoot Investor’ aka a man that actually makes finance seem sexy. Not only is he nice to look at but he also offers fantastic advice in language that even the least finance-savvy people can understand. I highly recommend you subscribe to his mailing list! One recent email of his particularly captivated me, which instructed how to manage your budget with the 60-20-20 plan (also in this article here). Basically: put 60 per cent into ‘Safety’ (divided into mortgage/rent, food, mobile &/or internet, car), 20 per cent into ‘Savings’ (that’s an online savings account, ensuring that you first clear any debt) and 20 per cent into ‘Splurge’ (here Scott directs you to “go out and blow 10 percent of your money on rubbish that makes you smile” – the other 10 per cent should go to longer-term splurges such as holidays).

And suddenly, budgeting makes more sense. I’ve been SHOCKING with my spending lately, and by attempting to stick to this plan I will feel confident my money is not completely going to waste. And that I will have enough saved for a family cruise in South-East Asia this coming January within 200 days!

8. You’ve taken the leap – now stop overthinking

One semester into my uni degree and I’ve already had thoughts like “am I doing the right thing?” and “where will this lead?”. My much smarter and reasonable self then steps in and says “CALM YA FARM AND TRUST YO’ INSTINCTS FOOL”. Indeed it was those instincts that told me to take a leap and go to university in the first place (after working full-time for 5 years). In the words of the better me, I must calm thy farm and go forth and just see what presents itself. Every time I’ve stressed about something like this it’s always made the situation worse and blocked any rational and progressive thinking. And then, things have always fallen into place. So with an active approach to managing such thoughts I will reduce stress, increase productivity and ultimately just win at life.

Creativity

9. DIY

While I consider myself slightly artistic, it’s definitely not in a crafty kinda way. I don’t know how to sew. I can’t draw. I can’t remember the last time I used paint. I love expressing myself via creative avenues, so why am I limiting myself by saying ‘I don’t do craft’? I think I need to give it a go. Then by the end of it I will either be a)a person satisfied that she totally sucks at craft but also satisfied that she at least gave it a good go, or b)a person who probably sucks at craft but is way too lazy to really know for sure. The former sounds much nicer thanks. I love clothes, so that’s what the first project will be. It will involve: a sewing machine and paint, a reduction in top length (oh hi there midrift) and an attempt at tie-dye.

10. Explore new cultures

If you read my ‘How to be happy‘ feature you would know that I consider exposure to new and different cultures necessary in achieving inner awareness and contentment. I am so open to different experiences. But I don’t give myself the time to really immerse myself in these! I want to be out of my comfort zone in a foreign environment. I will experience this when I travel to Australia’s Red Centre in a months time, but don’t want to contstrain such opportunities just to travel. So I am starting to reap the benefits of the Digital Age by reading foreign news and watching completely out-of-the-ordinary films and doco’s. Even visiting places in my own town that hold completely different vibes than what I’m used to. By the end of 200 days, I would have experienced a sensual overload of new knowledge, awareness and appreciation.

In Croatia last year. A country I would easily drop everything for to immerse myself in again!

ADVENTURE!!

11. Reach new heights

At the beginning of this year as I was driving down south for a festival with a mate, we discussed our new years resolutions. I had three – one was to get the body of a fitness model (least serious), another was to embrace life (very serious, later deemed a ‘life’ resolution so as to not contain it to 365 days) and the other was to sky dive (serious-yet-possibly-didn’t-really-think-it-through-enough-before-it-came-out-of-my-mouth). I’d like to think I’m at least working towards the first one; the second I’m living and breathing; and the third? I’M CONQUERING. In Queensland. In one month. Yikes.

12. Get down and dirty

By battling obstacle after obstacle for 20km through mud, ice and whatever else is thrown at me in the beastly event that is Tough Mudder (“probably the toughest event on the planet”). This, my dear friends, shall require some pretty hardcore training. Allow its websites spiel to explain – Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.  With the most innovative courses, 1,000,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.   Bootcamp sessions here I come. I’ve heard amazing things about this event and can’t wait to get in there and get dirty!!!

Better stop taking stupid photos and start training…

It’s time to summarise my ’12 in20′. This is the person I will be in 200 days:

– I would have accomplished 2×12 week challenges, at least weighing 3kg more and havin me some fine abs;

– I will know how to cook an extra 14 dishes;

– I will be informed on, and therefore in-tune with, my own body;

– I will be swearing a lot less, benefiting my articulation AND mood;

– I will motivate;

– I will inspire;

– I will have control of my budget, and enough money saved for January’s cruise;

– I won’t over-think my career choices. I will be satisfied that my instincts are leading me in my destined direction;

– I will DO IT MYSELF;

– I will have been exposed to new experiences, people, places, sensations… things that are ‘abnormal’ to me;

– I will have gone sky diving over the ocean in north-east Australia; and

– I will have conquered an epic physically and mentally challenging journey.

I’d say I will have achieved a lot in 200 days. I will of course post progress updates on this blog – you can also follow me at @tessacp on instagram.

Now it’s up to you to ask yourself…. Where do you want to be in 200 days?

What can you achieve in 200 days?

200 days until summer in Australia, and counting. Winter hasn’t even fully reared its head yet my thoughts are already on hot days spent outdoors whether at the beach or with friends drinking mojitos in my sunshine. Thinking of this as only 200 days away makes it seem alot closer!

This has got me thinking – imagine how much can be achieved in 200 days!! Alot I say. And here’s a list of such things I will aim to do – my ’12 in 200′. I was initially going to do 20, but realised that this isn’t exactly a simple amount to keep track of. I’ve split them into categories, these being ‘Health & Fitness’, ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Career & Money’, ‘Creativity’ and my favourite… ‘Adventure’. As I present these over two posts, I hope it gives you some ideas and inspires you to get the wheels in motion to be the person you want to be and live the life you want to live… in only 200 days! I’d love to know what features on your own list!

Health and Fitness

1. 2 x 12 week challenges

I got this idea scrolling through an instagram account on fitness and immediately got my fitness buddy onto it. We’re in the process of each setting ourselves fitness goals to achieve at the end of each 12 week segment (theres a 1 month gap in between) and will continuously support and encourage each other throughout the entire process. My first goal? By the first week of August I will weigh 3kg more and have abs as hard as steel.

2. Enhance my cooking repertoire – every fortnight

I’m one of those people who will just cook what I already know because its ‘easy’ and doesn’t require too much thought. But when I do make something new I always feel so accomplished and happy that I’ve somehow enhanced my cooking knowledge and skills (unless of course the dish is a complete failure – but practise makes perfect!). I’ve definetely noticed a lot of meal repeats lately. I generally eat the same things for breakfast and lunch every day. Setting myself a goal of cooking something new every two weeks means that in 200 days, I will have 14 dishes added to my repertoire. That’s definitely encouraging some variety!

3. Be informed

This can be applied to anything you’ve been wanting to learn, don’t confine it just to health and fitness!

I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t 100% certain where my quad’s were until a couple of weeks ago. When referring to them I’d just point at them and say ‘this part’. Yeah human bio (or any science for that matter) was never my strong point. It’s slightly ironic that I so carefully plan my gym workouts and schedule so I can sculpt my body but really, I don’t actually know enough about my body to be as successful as I can be.  So I want to get researching. I’ve been telling myself to do it for ages, but now I’m putting my foot down and giving myself 200 days to grasp an understanding of how my body works in order to get it in the shape that I want.

Wellbeing

4. Change a bad habit (or 9)

I use the concept that it takes 10 days to change a thought and 21 days to change a habit. You could break 9.5 bad habits in 200 days! (Although that’s probably a bit unrealistic).

I’m certainly in the midst of the thought changing stage in regards to my swearing. For reasons unbeknown, I have suddenly become more aware of my swearing, particuarly the effect it has on my mood. If I’m slightly angry about something and I verbalise it by using pretty vulgar language, I actually find my anger rise significantly. This proves that my mind has negative associations with these words, which therefore supports the reason why I shouldn’t be using them! Don’t do things that make you unhappy people.

5. Motivate others

One quote. Every day. That’s what I’ll be putting on my big whiteboard at work. I’ve been doing it every now and then for the past few weeks, and it’s so great when I get people coming into my office in anticipation for what I’ve put up. It makes me feel really good knowing I have had even the tiniest positive influence on someones mindset for the day. Which leads into number 6…

My favourite quotes, on my bedroom wall for me to repeat every day.

6. Inspire others

This one is directly linked to this blog. I will consistently utilise it as a vehicle for expression and by doing this, I hope to send nothing but mega positive vibes to my audience (that’s you!). I’m a big believer of staying true to yourself and that through the power of positive thinking, anything is possible.  I do hope this shows and that it could possibly inspire you somehow, even if in the smallest of ways.

Okay so in 200 days I will be at a healthier weight with rock-hard abs and thus feel healthier. I will know how to cook 14 more dishes and thus have more variety in my diet. I will actually know what the heck is going on with my own body and thus know how to treat it. I will be swearing less and therefore be less angry.  I will be experiencing extreme fulfilment with the knowledge that I am making an active effort to motivate others (any myself!) and inspire others to live life the way it should be lived.

Watch out for my final 6 achievements within the next couple of days! And remember – I LOVE feedback. Tell me what’s on your mind :)

I will posting my progress throughout the 200 days on this blog and also via instagram. Follow me at @tessacp if you like! 

Photo diary: Surf and sav

From my trip to Margs two weeks ago: Hitting the road; beer tasting trays in the sun at 10am; grabbing the bull by its horns; pretty vineyard entrances that I loved but my car hated; standard vine & wine pics; portions of food large enough to warrant subsequent nap-time; FLAVOURED BEER (incl. red creaming soda and caramel); walks at sunset that are good for my soul.

Aint life beautiful xx