Rowan Spazzoli

Strategist. Lecturer. Consultant

Getting back into it

I hate running when I’m not fit. It’s unpleasant and I really struggle.

But I love running when I am fit. I feel like I’m on an adventure, and I can go forever.

So when I’ve been out of it for a while, and haven’t been able to exercise for whatever reason, there is a tough battle to get back in.

And the longer I wait, the worse it gets.

The first run after my shoulder surgery was horrible. I barely managed 2km.

But a year later I ran a marathon.

It takes an extra push to get you back in. And friends can help you over the hurdle. That first 2km run was with Bridget. And today I ran for the first time in two months with Mike.

It’s tough. But once you’re back in, it’s worth it.

Guess what? Today’s image was from the prom again. I know, I know. It’s getting repetitive. But I love the place so much. And so… enjoy this picture of tonight’s sunset 🙂

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Song of the day: I want it that way – Backstreet Boys

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Raw

Over the past 18 months I’ve started taking my mental health more seriously. I have actively sought out psychological help, from two different psychologists, and I’ve visited a psychiatrist.

Most of this was brought about by reaching a breaking point. A point where I really wasn’t sure what to do anymore and needed to seek out more professional help.

And it’s been a tough journey.

The most difficult thing for me has been how raw I’ve felt during this unpacking of my psyche. I’ve had to explore many of my flaws, my shortcomings, my fears and my insecurities.

Scrubbing the wound clean

I’ve been thinking about this, and the best analogy I’ve come up with for this process is that of cleaning out an old wound that has been infected.

The initial wound is painful. And sometimes we sometimes don’t treat it properly before it scabs over.

And there is dirt that is left in it, resulting in repeat infection.

The only way to fix it is to peal off the scab and properly clean out the wound. Clear it of the infection and the dirt.

That’s a painful process, and the skin is then left feeling very raw and very open.

But in doing this, we ensure that we can heal properly. The wound can now close up without the same problems coming back.

It’s tough. And sore. But you have to close your eyes and clean your psychological wounds if you plan on properly getting through them.

Image was taken at the end of the prom on my evening cycle 

Blog: 200/365 (yep, that’s 200 blog posts up. I know the counting went out a little bit. But can you believe it, 200 posts in a row? It’s blowing my mind a little)

Song of the day: Dead Inside – Muse

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Friday Shoutout: Womxn of the Week

Today’s Friday shout out goes to a brand new and exciting blog, Womxn of the Week . My wonderful friend, Chantelle, has launched the blog as a platform for sharing and celebrating women around the world.

Part of the description of her blog reads as follows:

I originally wanted to start a newsletter that went out every week, but for now I only have the means to start small and use the people around me in my life as a gateway.  My hope is to create a platform on which people feel comfortable sharing their stories.  I want to focus on the achievements of women as well as their struggles, to delve into the deeper matters and let everyone know that they are not alone in what they are going through.  I hope that soon enough we can talk about the hardships of identity, of grief, of loss, and of hope; as well as support one another’s accomplishments.  

Well done on starting your blog Chants, so so incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see the stories you share with the world 🙂

P.s. don’t forget to follow the blog here. The subscription box is on the right 🙂

Image was taken at the Waterfront with Chantelle 🙂

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Song of the day: Lykke Li – I follow rivers

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The importance of feeling stupid

In school and at undergrad level we’re taught that to be successful, we need to know the answer. The more you know, the better.

Feeling stupid is bad.

But as we venture into post graduate studies and our professional life, we’re not expected to know stuff. We start with questions, not answers.

Feeling stupid is good.

The important thing is being okay with feeling stupid. Understanding that not knowing isn’t the end of the journey, it’s the start.

The objective isn’t to be right. The objective is being comfortable with potentially being wrong.

Image is of my work setup today 🙂

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Song of the day: Horizon – Seven Lions, Kill the Noise, Tritonal

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Happy Birthday Jared 🎉

To the person who has given me so much support this year.

To the person who has shared many adventures with me.

To the person who listens to all my stories.

Thank you for the inside jokes, the paticulas, the capchas, the milo cereal sessions, the cigars, the chats, the prom walks, the ahhhh, the wizard jokes, the burger days, the cabrito jams, the big route pizzas and the general ridiculousness.

Happy Birthday Jared 🎉🐒🐧

Image is Jared at the prom yesterday 🙂

Blog: 196/365

Song of the day: Want you back – HAIM

(I know it was the song of the day yesterday but I listened to it on repeat for 2 hours today so you’re gonna have to deal with it)

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Around and around we go

Yesterday Jared and I requested an Uber for a really short trip back from the shops. We wouldn’t normally have done this, but Uber has given us R25 off 10 rides for this week.

The driver that picked us up was Zimbabwean and we started chatting.

He said it had been a really slow day, as it was both a Monday and near pay day. So he hadn’t gotten close to his goal for the day.

So when we stopped, we asked him if he wanted to start a new trip. Just across the road. That way he could cash in a few of the coupons we had.

And so we requested a new ride.

He accepted it.

We drove across the road.

Ended the trip.

And then repeated.

We did this 6 times (3 times back and forth), meaning he got R150 worth of rides in just a few minutes.

And it didn’t cost us anything (except for the tip we gave afterwards).

It was sneaky but also really fun. And we made him a little money, on uber, in the process 🙂

Image was taken on the prom today 🙂

Blog: 195/365

Song of the day: Haim – Want you back

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Zim

Anywhere. Anytime.

“Are you from Zim?”

That question will launch a whole conversation.

Nostalgia.

Political debate.

Economic policy discussion.

We may be scattered all over the world. But we all know where we come from.

And one day we will return.

Zimbabwe

Image was taken with my oldest Zim friend when we were in Oxford 🙂

Blog: 194/365

Song of the day: Grace Kelly -Mika

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Switching off

This weekend I put no pressure on myself to achieve anything. No personal improvement. No work.

And no guilt.

There are lots of things I could and should have been doing.

But I left them behind.

I let myself indulge and recover.

And now I’m ready for the new week ahead 🙂

Image was taken in the Greenpoint park this afternoon 🙂

Blog: 193/365

Song of the day: Help me lose my mind – London Grammar and Disclosure

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