Hi, I’m Gina, that’s me on the left and, I am of course delighted to look like a dog, and I’m here to tell you what this Reconnect Central stuff is all about!
You know, when I decided to start a blog a few years ago I was all fired up and passionate about what a complete and utter society ‘fecker-upper’ social media was and, in full blown warrior mode, I was all set to rid the world of this evil! I was so hacked off with how I saw people behaving, being sucked into constant scrolling, detaching from everyone and everything and I decided that social media was the main reason that people are peed off and miserable!
Oh my, how wrong was I?! People seem to be hacked off for dozens of different reasons. Sure, social media certainly has a lot to answer for but god knows it is just one of the many reasons why so many people are leading lives they never dreamed of and are muddling through each one of five days of every week wishing for the weekend. You know, those two days where people either go out and get bladdered to forget their lives or stay in and watch programs that feed them more negativity than a broken nodding dog and even more depressing claptrap than an entire year’s worth of Eastenders in one sitting; and then they get to midday on a Sunday and start to worry about work again. So you actually only get one and a half days then? What a bloody rip off! I want a refund!
So, why are so many of us freefalling through life with the acceptance that this is our lot in life and we should be bloody grateful to have a job we don’t like and that we may be able afford to escape from it all for 2 weeks out of every 52 (if we’re ‘lucky’ that is?).
And that, right there, is the question that made me decide it was high time I dusted off my ‘one direction’, short sighted gibberings and upgraded them to a broader outlook of why so many of us settle for ‘I’m okay’, ‘Welcome to the real world’ and ‘Can’t wait to retire’.
Sod that, let’s head for ‘I’m ecstatic’, ‘Welcome to my freakin’ incredible world’ and ‘I love me and my life and if it gets any better I’ll have to punch myself in the face to make sure I’m not dreaming/tripping/losing my marbles’ (delete as applicable!).
It’s time to explore why so many of us base our happiness on ‘if this happens’ and ‘when that happens’ instead of happiness in the here and now. Or why we attach happiness to money and stuff and houses and cars instead of people, love, adventures, experiences and, most importantly finding a way to see the world in a state of ‘what I already have’ rather than ‘what I don’t’.
Happiness is possible, enjoying a job is possible, feeling content is possible, not eating an entire packet of biscuits in one sitting is possible (I think. Haven’t tried to be honest; but then, why would I?). It’s all possible, it just might take some unravelling; aka reprogramming of all the thoughts, habits and actions that have led us to this jumbled place of complacency and flatlining through this crazy, weird and wonderful thing called life. And that takes work and effort and probably a whole load of stuff most people think they will hate doing; only they won’t hate it when they find the courage start ‘cos anything’s gotta be better than just accepting that it’s okay to have chucked your dreams and happiness in the bin at the doorway into adulthood.
So, it’s time to hop onto the Happiness Express and chuck your doubts, insecurities, frustrations, bad habits, society’s expectations and all that other baggage that you’ve picked up on your journey through this pressure filled world into the used ticket bin; exactly where they belong. You weren’t born with them, you didn’t ask for them but the world just came along and dumped them all in your lap whilst you weren’t looking. What an asshole!
Are you in? (Hoping for a resounding ‘Feck me, Yes!’). Then get strapped in for the ride you bloody rebel you! It’s gonna be a bumpy, fun and incredible journey and the destination is gonna blow your mind!
(Disclaimer – this is not a ‘get happy quick’ scheme. It’s a ‘put in a bit of effort and change some stuff and stick two fingers up at people trying to fit you inside their box’ kind of scheme, with a side helping of fun.) Enjoy!
Fun Facts
I have a love/hate relationship with technology and the internet… and social media. I believe there is good and bad in everything and I am on a mission to fight the bad! Kapow!
Apparently, I have too many cats – not possible in my opinion.
I mentally beat myself from time to time, and then I beat myself up for beating myself up. I’m working on this.
I want to make people happy – like, EVERYONE! Including people I probably shouldn’t like very much. In fact, especially people I probably shouldn’t like very much. If they’re happy I’ll be truly happy for them, and chances are they’ll start being kind and like themselves more, and then other people will like them more. I won’t go on, I’m sure you get it!
I do yoga each day (don’t worry, I’m not about to suggest you fold yourself in half and touch your ear with your big toe) – it just focusses me for the day and whatever stuff it may bring with it. I am getting bendier but not origami level yet!
One of my favourite sayings is ‘Be kind to yourself’. So, yeah, be kind to yourself. The lovely Whitney H once proclaimed, ‘Learning to love yourself, is the greatest love of all’ and she sure wasn’t wrong!
I love penguins. And penguins love me.
