Twenty-Ten

It's a new year and a new decade, perfect for people who believe in the symbolic significance of the occasion to renew and renovate, to make resolutions and to start afresh.

2010 is made all the more symbolic for me because it marks the passing of a period of life that must now be resigned to my past. Leaving education and embarking on one's 'graduate' life is symbolic enough - in many respects it means a coming of age . Those graduates lucky enough to find a job will revel in the opportunity to earn their own money, accumulate experience and gain status in society. With all these positives also comes the daunting prospect of so much change and transition all at once. Learning how to wade through the quagmire of office politics and emerge on the other side not bitten down by fellow colleagues - well that's one thing. Having to adapt to multi-tasking, and adopt a consistent 'office persona' is another. It all takes time.

It has taken me the best part of 5 months to reach a point where things have finally begun to click and my life starts to seem somewhat routine in my eyes. Suddenly before you know it, things that once terrified you or seemed impossible are done without breaking sweat. I am not boasting, I think it is the same for everyone.

And so I start 2010 after a much needed rest and somewhat tumultuous reflection over the past intense few months and I hope to go forward with a somewhat clearer vision for the next decade. Perhaps a vision for the decade is a bit optimistic -best to deal with the here and now but one thing I am going to keep as my new mantra is to always have little projects on the go, with the hope that these will serve to expand horizons and provide enriching experiences.

I am aware that many people rush through life constantly distracting themselves. I don't want life to be one constant distraction. I want the things that I do to carry meaning and slot into an overarching vision. Perhaps I am an idealistic 23 year old but I am too restless to settle for the same everyday experiences, especially when I know that there is so much to get out of life. I do believe though that it is up to the individual to enrich their life and that is why this year I am setting myself a series of targets so that I can start that process.

If you think it all sounds cliched and idealistic, well, the proof is in the pudding. It will be interesting to see how I get on throughout the year, how often I lose this symbolic optimism and whether during such times I keep it going, or let it slide. Essentially, I am setting myself a challenge.

Well, we will see this time next year - god knows where I'll be or what I'll doing. Scary? yes, mildly but also ever so slightly more exciting.