Tag: #happiness

Living life in a protective bubble

When I hear the word bubble these days, it’s often used in a somewhat pejorative sense. In fact, I’m probably the one using it in a critical manner. I often lament people living too much in their own comfortable bubble, or indeed the Brussels infamous ‘EU bubble’.

Yet this week I reflected that there is some value in having a sense of bubble around us. For me specifically, I’ve started imagining the idea of having a protective bubble whenever I am in social situations. This helps me stay grounded and give a sense of safety, wherever I might be.

Choosing a more private life

For the last number of years, my modus operandi has been to increase my visibility. More networking, more connecting and more socialising.

In truth, I’m not sure I was particularly successful at it. I’ve built some good connections along the way, but they have broadly remained at surface level. Whilst it’s nice to have acquaintances, many end up being a case of mutually watching one other’s Instagram stories. I might have a conversation every now and then. It could be after a few months. Sometimes, it’s after a few years.

For some, it is understandable. We live in distant places. Regular physical interaction is not possible. It was my choice, after all to up sticks and move from my country of birth. For others, it’s just simply a case of diverging life paths. We are different people, and so the connection has naturally loosened.
But often, it’s not about distance.

The key when you get locked out

We often use the metaphors of ‘keys’ and ‘doors’ in the world of personal development.

But on Monday, it had a far more literal meaning for me.

When taking the bins out, I shut the door behind me. I didn’t realise I didn’t have my key, effectively locking myself out.

It’s the sort of general mishap that we all face at some point in our lives. But it’s not so much about the event itself, but what we tell ourselves about it.

On rekindling the flame of desire

One of the big potential traps in modern day society is to lose that spark.

It’s particularly visible in a city like Brussels. So many people come here with big hopes and expectations. The reality of the clunking system can be pretty soul crushing if we’re not careful.

It’s also very visible. When we look people in the eyes, we can see if there is a spark behind it or not. Once someone has lost their spark, it feels like their soul has been tuned down to power-save mode.

Whilst burnout is often assumed to be about overwork, it can just as well be a loss of hope. That was certainly the case for me. Day by day, I had my desires ever increasingly compromised. By the end, I had little will to leave my bed.

You *cannot* be anything you want to be

It was a lie. But in your heart, you probably knew that already.
Even now, it doesn’t stop us telling that to our kids. After all, our generation may be doomed, but the next one will have real freedom, right?

For a long time, this was one of my underlying beliefs. Anyone, if they tried hard enough, could achieve anything. The power of the mind was so powerful that we can make it happen, no matter what the odds.

Getting back into the back-to-work vibe

The summer holidays are over. Brussels is slowly coming back to life after its sleepy summer. We’re coming back into the traditional return to work.

I actually am enjoying a sense of energy in the air. It’s nice to have things happening again in this town. I’ve spent quite a lot of time here in the summer. I enjoyed the peace and quiet, but it’s also felt a little empty. Now, there’s a bunch of events around town over the next weeks for me to look forward to.

It seems like a rest has done people some good. many people will feel the heightened political tensions, but this is particularly the case in the political hubs such as Brussels. Disconnection is what keeps us from getting too caught up in work and forgetting to live.

Things are difficult right now, it’s not your imagination

Although I’ve been relatively insular in recent times, I can’t help but feel what is going on in the world.

Things feel tough for people. I’m not really seeing many people truly thriving. It feels like a lot of us are stuck in a broken system.

Perspective is always helpful. I’ve been editing my father’s biography, where he talks about coming to the UK in the 70s. He came as a student, integrated, saw an opportunity, opened a business and eventually thrived.

In modern times, such a venture would be crazy. The price of renting a physical space is incredibly high, to the point where you just couldn’t get a loan to do this. You would need some sort of financial backing beforehand.

Things are difficult right now, it’s not your imagination

Avoiding the trap of constant negativity

I’m back for a visit in London. I’m here to see my parents. Partly to do my familial duties. Partly to get a free birthday meal. Partly to get the rest of my mum’s cooking back to Brussels.

I noticed myself getting into a spiral where I felt quite sour around the idea of coming back. I’d remark of returning to the ‘sinking island’. I’m totally justified in having such an opinion. Indeed, we’re all entitled to one.

Yet what I need to be careful of is falling into the negative spiral of seeing everything so negatively. If I’m not careful, it will turn any trip I have here into one of misery and anger.