Category: Lifelessons

Traffic of LIFE

Posted on by Jenny Chiem in General, Lifelessons

Ok, where do I start and how do we go from here?

It seemed so far away when we first received the news about Covid-19 happening in China during end of December. For me, I had a feeling it was going to “hit” Europe and at the end even Sweden. But I did not expect it to go as fast as it has been and now here we are…

We are lucky in Sweden. We have not been forced into quarantine (as for now, this all can change in a blink of an eye). Crazy times and in a wild windstorm we all are in! How we react to it are so different from one person to another.

To be completely honest with you. For me, who has been unemployed for a few months before this hit the fan, I’ve already gotten into certain mood, a special kind of flow to go on with my day. Family and friends have been busy with work/school during and I got used to be home (a lot), therefore this per say is not a big change for me. This self quarantine.

The difference for me is…
I can’t be at my favorite coffee place, sipping coffee and do all the fun things socials as I want. All due to this situation happening around us. I must make a confession though: I do feel less lonely now that I know we are all in this together. Selfish maybe, but that’s the truth.

Our everyday life in self quarantines
This has brought so many good things still, not just bad things if you ask me personally.

Let us focus on this part, shall we?

If you don’t know what to do and want to find inspiration by reading some highlights you should continue reading this blog post. I truly want to share some with you down below:

  • Live-Stream through Social media (Instagram, Facebook, Zoom etc)
    There are many organisations, companies and other amazing communities which offers educations, performances online. Make sure to check with your network, ask around and search for channels who share this love with their audience.
  • Virtual coffee/tea dates
    Grab a coffee/date and set a time to meet up virtually!
  • Connecting with random people on Instagram
    Find your passion, connect with your interests. Be brave and send that DM you wouldn’t otherwise do, we are all in this together and you may never know.
    That person on the other side maybe will answer and you all of a sudden found a new soul to connect with?
  • Go out for a walk around your block
    If you can. Try to cherish these little moments by taking it slow, no rush. Just walk. For me, I try to take more and more photos. Photos of the nature but also the random surroundings I have the chance to discover and see along the way.
  • Lists!
    Categorize your music lists, “clean” your digital photo albums. I mean, how many times have you procrastinated and put this activity aside, for something else that have caught your attention?
  • Work out
    There are plenty of videos on Youtube, per usual, even since before all this happen. Nowadays more and more people are offering their classes online and sending them live, specially on Instagram or Zoom. Please check with your family and friends, they might know someone who can teach you online.
  • Read books
    I just discovered a listening service, and through my wireless headphones plus the app, I can “read” a book while I’m doing other boring adult things such as doing the dishes, folding laundry, cleaning.
  • Watch TV-series
    I am the right person for this, to say this: BINGE-watch series. Catch up on your favorite ones and do not feel bad about it. Re-watch your oldies but goldies, watch your guilty pleasures and have days with absolutely NO plans a head of you.

I genuinely hope this brings some joy, some light during these difficult times. If you have anything you want to share, do let me know. I’m around here and I’m curious.

You know where to find me.

Cheers,
Jen

Some cherry blossoms to cheer you up!
Photo: Jenny Chiem

Personal passion

Posted on by Jenny Chiem in Lifelessons

“Focus on what you’re interested personally. Create personal projects that channel your personal passion. Ship them. A lot and often. And have fun!”

I received this in an e-mail from Ji Lee right after my decision of having a life in a suitcase and leave to a country to open up a new chapter.

In two days,

I’ve been back in Sweden for a year.
June 17th 2016, was a grayish Friday when I arrived at the airport of Gothenburg. My emotions was like a final round from a Mortal Combat game. Who will win – The Anxiety of travel depression vs Happiness of making the best out of the situation as it is?

Remember it very clearly. The look on my Dad’s face at the arrivals – He knew. He knew his daughter already had her mind set somewhere else.

What is the next adventure?

A year gone by – just like that! You might have seen my ‘throwbacks’ here and there all over my social media channels. I’m learning to let go of things..

Specially after my trip to Australia and Cabo Verde. Different kind of relationships has changed – all depending on where I am in my life right now.

You friends know I’m a girl who doesn’t find it difficult to write about feelings. I’ve been blogging since almost ten years back and this has always been my thing. To publish personal thoughts online. It brings me and you followers a bit closer to my heart.

❤

I left the rat race in a big company and heading towards to a more challenging one, a startup and to give my entrepreneurial spirit a place to grow.

This week I created a new adventure, an adventure that doesn’t necessarily involves a trip to the other side of the world. An opportunity that came to me. Joined a tech startup with a bunch of creatives. Happy to see where our path takes us!

My plan has been to network as much as I can after me leaving a contract in March. To continue to show my network and the city I’m living in, of who I am and what kind of personal passion that will trigger me to go forward.

This has not been easy.

Remember when I have mentioned before about things not always are fun fun and all that “fancysmancy” posts?

Important thing to mention. Not everyone within the category of ‘loved ones’ who have been giving me the support I need and wish to have. I’ve been questioned if I have any clue of what I’m doing, keep reminding me of my insecurities instead of seeing through the person I’ve become so far. Don’t give time to listen to what I have to say. Lot of tears and an emotional ride is the result. Unanswered questions have been flying through this little head of mine.

I’ve come to this conclusion – If you can’t be happy for me, then don’t be.

I will be OK.

Other than that. Being thankful for all the cheerful messages, phone calls and work experiences I’ve received from friends all over the world these past weeks.

You know who you are – Keep being you!

Be kind to your creative soul

Posted on by Jenny Chiem in Cape Verde, GotoAndSurf, Lifelessons

 

Paths cross and uncross..

I strongly believe in that and will stick to it until the world decide to show me the opposite. Call me spiritual, call me whatever but something did click. I refuse to think otherwise and life, please show me signs to where my head should be at.

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Cabo Verde

I went on a trip to Cabo Verde beginning of this year. Few days and it felt like I was there for a much longer time. I could even tell when I shared my stories with friends after, that each and everyone had the same reaction: “You’ve only been away for five days?!”

I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that we started the days early (cause we didn’t) and end the nights very late. The main thing we all were trying to (not) focus on was time.

“Time stops when you are here.”

It sure did.

I was completely by myself a few times in between all the fun, intense and lovely moments that came across my way. It made me reflect on what I have been emotionally since Melbourne and to be more kind to my creative soul.

Cheers,
Jen.

I will miss you

Posted on by Jenny Chiem in Lifelessons

Where do I start?

Haven’t blogged since I came back to Sweden and 2016 is almost over. Been “home” for 6 whole months. Feels like I just came back or at least it’s what I keep holding on to. One more week (less!) and then we reach a New Year!

I haven’t got the point in my life ever before that makes me wanna say I will miss the year. Yes, that is regardless of what has happened along the road. You guys know what?

I have now. I will definitely miss you, 2016. No doubts.

To start with I was on the biggest f******* journey of my life. To be 15 (today 31) and have a dream to live abroad. On clouds! Nothing beats or will ever beat the feeling I had when I was on that specific plane with the destination: Melbourne.

Experienced every feeling you can think of while I was away. Joy, Anxiety, Sadness, Pure pleasure, Frustration, Loneliness, In love (yeah, that special someone did catch my heart there for a while) and all that. I did connect with people and many of them challenged me to step outside my own comfort zone. I learned so much and the most important thing, to trust myself even more.

Me personally. I’ve blogged since 2006 and never summarized a year. Oh wow, 10 years I have been in the world of blogging. I’m not patient enough to collect all my thoughts, trips and moments in just one blogpost. Better at collecting them each by each and post them on different channels, so feel free to look back and follow me up until now. I am thankful with whatever you decide to do. Just genuinely happy that you as my follower, have took your time, to read all the way down to here.

Well.

I’m going to start the new year with a new job. Also starting 2017 with a trip. I wish it was a longer one but a longer journey waits for me in 2018. Got a strong feeling it’s going to be one hell of a rollercoaster. A reminder to you and for myself the most. It’s not always going to be fun and fun and all that “fancysmancy” pictures with filters you guys see me post. Behind the scenes it’s also lot of calls during mornings/evenings/nights to family and friends where you questioning about where the next chapter is, what is the next babystep and again, who the f*** am I doing this for?

I’m always on the run! Please do follow me on social media (you guys know your girl by now) until I am boarding that specific plane again. That specific plane which took me to lovely Melbourne and yes, the next one will be to a different place..

Where will you be? I don’t know yet. But I will definitely find out.

Read these links to be able to stay update with me:

Cheers,
Jen.