Skip to main content

Breaking Free

 

#BreakingFree2023

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.”

Throughout the week, particularly from Monday to Friday, I am known to be a very disciplined individual who sticks quite closely to a healthy diet and a typical routine; work, gym/soccer, eat, sleep…repeat! Discipline, commitment and hard work are traits within me that I am very proud of, and quite honestly, they are most likely the reason I have gained so much success, especially in my competitve sporting experiences. 



Now, even though I thoroughly enjoy my day to day routine, after weeks and weeks of doing the same things over and over again, life can seem a little stagnant and redundant. With time, I have learned that, despite the numerous positives that come from a routine, for me personally, prolonged structure can also lead to negatively impacting my mental health.


For this reason, as of late, I have been trying to make a few changes. I am attempting to make small sacrifices here and there and to take more risks, in an effort to enjoy more opportunities and to diversify my weeks. 

 

I am so incredibly lucky to live in a country that provides me with so many choices of things to do. From eating in new restaurants, to going to concerts, to trying an abundance of activities (e.g. skiing, ice skating, wakeboarding, rock climbing, golfing, cycling…)...there is so much to do in the UAE! And, despite what many think, behind the glitz and glam that Dubai is known for, just a short drive away, one can enjoy moments of peacefulness in nature, either in the desert, in the mountains and/or by the sea.


I’ll keep sticking to my day to day routine for the most part, especially when it comes to my work, my training, my diet, and most importantly my sleep; but, at the same time, I also want to continue enjoying a little more of what this life has to offer me.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In a World Full of Noise, Let’s Show Understanding

“Not everyone processes uncertainty the same way, and that’s okay.” The past few days have been unexpected. What started as a normal Saturday - coaching at the gym, breakfast with a friend, catching up on work with the TV on in the background - quickly changed when I heard a loud “boom” coming from outside my apartment. At first, many of us in the community assumed it came from one of the many nearby construction sites. But, within the next few hours, the loud sounds came again and again, and word spread that these were missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. I’ve always felt safe here in the UAE, and believe it or not, to a certain extent, I still do. Like many other residents here, I have a lot of trust in the country I’ve chosen to call home for over 11 years. I’ve seen it overcome challenges in the past, such as COVID and floods, and I’ve witnessed how much the leadership cares for the residents, particularly over the last few days.  That said, it’s no secret that I a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Living Out a Dream

 “Have you ever stopped and thought: “Wow. I prayed for this. It’s here. It’s happening.”? I recently received a message from an  old student from my very first school in Canada. It was a simple note, but it sparked reflection in me about where I’ve come from and everything that’s happened over the last 15–20 years. At my age, I often look around and see many of the people ( my age ) settling down; getting married, having kids, buying homes ( A dream for many, especially women. ). And sometimes, I can’t help but  ask myself: what am I doing with my life? However, that message from my former student reminded me of something I often forget: I’ve already been living a dream. When I left my first teaching job in Canada, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I absolutely loved my students, and together we had built a really special bond. But at that time, I had a dream to travel the world; to immerse myself in different cultures and to learn from people whose li...
Post a Comment
Read more

Back on the Dubai running scene

  “The beauty of running is in its simplicity; just you, your breath, and the road ahead.” After a long hiatus, I finally made my return to the Dubai running race scene! When I first lived here between 2012 and 2017, I took part in many road races and absolutely loved the local running community. Even after moving to Vietnam, I kept the momentum going for a while, completing a few 10km, 21km and even a full marathon, especially in my first year there. But as I got more into CrossFit in 2018, running gradually took a back seat. Since then, I’ve continued to run, but without the same structure, purpose, or goals I once had. That all changed a couple of months ago when I decided to reignite my running spark and even joined a few run club sessions. I’ll be honest; those group runs have really pushed me out of my comfort zone! I’ve always loved a nice, long, slow run, but short and speedy intervals? Not so much. Still, being surrounded by people who share a similar mindset, who challeng...
Post a Comment
Read more