2017 was a good year for me, although there were ups and downs moments, I appreciate what came to me in 2017 and am feeling grateful for what happened in 2017 and how it brought me to a new chapter of 2018
Below are some highlights of my 2017:
(i.) Yoga Practice:
- It is probably the only thing I put most effort and time into for 2017
- Clocked 269 hours of yoga practice (since I started my Yoga journal from May-Dec 2017)
- Started to practice seriously around March 2017, attended related events, classes, eventually settled down with membership with Trust Yoga
- From struggling with holding plank pose and chaturanga dandasana, to able to hold Crow pose, Crane, Side crow, Pigeon, Headstand, tripod, Kurmasana, Dwi Pada Sirsasana, Titibasana, Pincha
- My lower back problem makes forward bend a super challenge for me, but I know one day I will be there, just as Pattabhi Jois said: ‘Practice and All is Coming’
(ii.) Living a minimalism and frugal year:
- This started when I know how much I need to adopt minimalism and why this lifestyle suits me
- It was also with intention that I wanted to start saving for investment, and I know this lifestyle will help me greatly
- I decluttered a lot of my stuff, either by selling off or donating them to people who may need my things (wrote about it here)
(iii.) Self-Development:
- 2017 might be the year I read the most books in my life, with the long transit time to work every weekdays, I never once forgot to bring the books out, though sometimes I feel tired bringing the book around (from home > work place > yoga studio > home), I know the books I read broadened my knowledge in some ways, be it deepening my understanding on yoga / investment / self-understanding / life, or worst, it should help to improve my language grammar (or it does not at all, I got the joy of reading the books)
- I attended 2 Ukulele courses, from basic to intermediate, though I hardly could play a complete song yet, I could play and sing some easy 1 minute songs (can listen some in my IG)
- Sad thing for me was I failed my Japanese test again, yes, I felt defeated, because I spent a lot of time studying it. I learned I have to suck it up and acknowledged that I was not studying enough. I decided to put the goal of passing JLPT N1 on hold, I know my focus was stronger on something else in this year
- Might not be appropriate to put this here, but yes I joined 2 runs (21km Sundown & 10km Newton Challenge) in 2017 with quite satisfying runtime
- For my writing, I slowed down a little in Q2 and Q3 but kept up in Q4, posted a total of 35 posts in my blog
(iv.) Photography:
- I have not been doing much, only did an album of Less is More; but with my new phone Huawei Leica lens, I fell into black and white even more, and put what I took in my daily taken to my Black and White album
(v.) Personal finance:
- I did not reflect things about my career, probably I do not see my current work as a career, it did anyway bring me satisfying income in 2017, both from my business trip allowance + year-end bonus
- I invested in another blue chip from Q3 2017, hoping to expand my portfolio slowly
- Opened a few Fixed Deposits in Malaysia during my trip back home
- Spent US$ 250 to invest in Telegram Bot for IG engagement group
- Spent very minimal in buying things but spent quite a bit (~SG$ 1,500) in Yoga related activities
- By living a minimalism life, I cut down tremendously on shopping, and I sold over hundred items of my used stuff and made >SG$ 1k from the things sold
Last but not least, a little about my favorite Matcha Latte. I bought a frother so I could make frothered milk for my matcha latte, I also got a Chashaku (tea scoop) to complete my chado (tea ceremony) basic tool set. I do not know exactly how much I consumed Matcha in 2017, but I would say no lesser than 850gram. My goal is one day I could make a nice Matcha Latte art (though not my goal for 2018).
Be Zen, Be Zen in 2018
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