Rowan Spazzoli

Today is the 100th post of my #365of25 challenge. It’s kinda surreal to think that I have written and published a post, 100 days in a row, without fail.

Some days it’s been really easy to do. I’ll make an observation or experience something and it’ll flow into a post. Some days I’ll lie in bed, with absolutely no idea what I’m going to say. Yet I’ve managed to stick to it.

I’ve written some posts in rather odd spots. Two have been done while in an Uber. A couple have been written while in an airport. And one was written while at a nightclub in Greenpoint.

My posts have also been read all over the world. Looking at the stats this evening, the posts have been read in 44 countries. The countries with the most hits are South Africa, USA, UK and Australia. And there have been readers in countries such as Taiwan, Norway, Oman, Tanzania, Japan, Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan. In total, there have been over 4000 views and 1500 visitors to the site.

Throw the fears

My first post on this site, which was before my #365of25 challenge, was titled “Throw the Fears“. In it, I talked about how we can train ourselves to overcome the fears that are holding us back.

I think that this is exactly what I’ve been able to do with this blog. I used to be so scared of sharing my thoughts and my writing. Anytime I did, it would take me ages to put together the right words and I’d always get nervous to send it into the world.

But now, I’ve been able to train myself away from that. I can convert my thoughts into writing much more easily, and I am no longer worried about sharing them with others.

It’s been a really special journey over the last few months. And I’m really excited to continue growing and developing.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who reads this blog frequently. You’ve provided me with so much motivation and support, and made this experience even more worth while.

100 down, 265 to go!

Image was taken on the Sea Point Prom during my afternoon ride. I know I post pictures of it often, but it really is such a special space for me 🙂

Song of the day: Sunshine - POWERS

Blog 100/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

I remember a friend once telling me about the story of the two wolves. It went as follows:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Source: Virtues for life

I was reminded of that today when I felt the battle taking place inside me. The good wolf and bad wolf were equally matched. And it’s often so easy to back the bad one. To give in to the anger and frustration.

But I took a firm decision to feed the good one. To support the positive thoughts. To let them surface and to strengthen them.

And today the good wolf won.

Image is of the sunset this afternoon over the Cape Town Stadium

Song of the day: Cascada - Everytime we touch

Thesis update: slow day :)

Blog 94/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

My current momentum around my thesis work has been phenomenal. It’s become easier to get into the rhythm of work and be consistently productive.

Because of this, there is a temptation to work at every possible moment. To work at full speed all the time.

But I’ve realized though that this could push me into burnout. Like running your fastest miles in the middle of a marathon and then not making it to the end.

Part of keeping the momentum is putting my foot on the peddle. But equally, I need to know when to take it off.

In doing so, I hope I’ll sustain the momentum all the way to the finish line.

Image was taken on upper campus this afternoon. At one point in my varsity career I worked at that tent there 🙂

Song of the day: SoundLiner  - Talisman (Cairn Remix) 

Thesis update: really productive day despite a few disruptions 

Blog 92/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

I saw something on Twitter the other day (I wish I could find the original post) that said something along the lines of:

“Being an adult doesn’t mean being able to sort out all your problems until you have none. It’s about having many problems and being able to function in your day to day life”

I sometimes get into a space where I’m trying to sort out all of my problems at once. It’s like playing whack-a-mole, no matter how hard you try new ones will pop up. And you won’t always be able to hit all of them anyway.

It’s difficult, but I’m slowly learning how to deal with problems while still letting them be around.

I’ll never be able to get rid of all the problems. All I can learn to do is be at peace with them

Image is from my hotel room in Pretoria. I could see my brothers apartment from there 🙂

Song of the day: My Chemical Romance- Black Parade

Thesis update: took the day off 🙂

Blog 89/365.

“Cappuccino and a plain croissant to go?”

I was a little taken aback, and immediately said to myself:

1. I really should stop coming here so often. They know my regular order now.
2. This is awesome

I smiled, confirmed my order, thanked the barista and picked it up at the next counter.

I should probably go less frequently than I do. And my excuse is that I’ll only be around this place during thesis time.

Plus, even though it’s such a small gesture, it really is an awesome way to start the day.

Image is of the selection of pastries at Jason’s, where I get my regular order. I manage to fight off the temptation to buy their more decadent stuff. Most days

Song of the day: REM- Nightswimming

Thesis update: worked on consulting project and did admin

Blog 79/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here