Fresh Start, Fresh Resolutions

{Happy New Year from the Hermosa Beach Pier}

2012 was a whirlwind... And it's been awhile.

Finding Balance

{Life is just one big balancing act}

My whole life I have always prided myself on being able to balance it all: a budding career, a wonderful boyfriend, a handful of fantastic social circles, and a loving family. But more often than not, I forget about one important element of my balancing act: myself.

Every now and then, my body gets incredibly tired and tells me that enough is enough: throw in the towel and take a few days to yourself - it says.

In all reality, I can't take time off of work, but I can clear the social schedule, tell the loved ones to leave me be for a few days, and take time to relax. This week I got oddly sick with a fever, dizziness and nausea (so bad that I had to go home from work a few hours early and rest) which can only be my body telling me to lay off the caffeine, start eating more natural foods, exercise more regularly, and most importantly sleep.

I hope that after a few more days of woozy, I will be back on my a-game. But until then, I have to re-find my balance on this tightrope.

Rage Against the Cliché

{Osa Johnson rides a zebra}

I don't crave chocolate.

I prefer whiskey or scotch to any other alcoholic beverage.

I'd rather have a steak than a slab of tofu.

I'd rather squeeze a lemon in my eye than watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

One of my favorite books is Ender's Game.

I actually like museums.

Now you're probably thinking: did Amy write this, or a boy (probably her boyfriend or cousin) hijack this blog? Never fear, it is I.

Have you noticed that in the minds of many twenty something women living in Los Angeles, there are these kinds social stereotypes that we feel that we have to fulfill, as much as we don't want to admit them? I seldom choose sweet over salty and hate the conventional running on a treadmill for hours on end. Blasphemy! This kind of rebellious behavior may as well revoke "girl card", right?

Is it Better to Settle?

{Source}

Define "better." While reading my new favorite daily read (Eric Barker's "Barking up the wrong tree"), I came across this article that poses the question: is it better to settle?

I know, I know. I've been extremely philosophical today in regards to life - but bear with me. This article definitely rang some bells.

As a 90% maximizer/ 10% satisficer, I am constantly trying to find the best - which may be the reason why anxiety levels are semi-high.

Specifically, I argue maximizers bear more instances of positive and negative outcomes than satisficers, and that in spite of their positive outcomes—yet because of their negative outcomes—maximizers are less happy than satisficers.

But does the good outweigh the bad?

...it was found that maximizing was simultaneously related to experiencing more positive and more negative outcomes, and that negative outcomes predicted happiness to a greater degree than positive outcomes. These findings suggest an irony of maximizing: It produces both positive and negative outcomes, contributing to literature explaining why maximizers are less happy than satisficers, and ultimately whether happiness is a matter of choice. 

I do not think that it's better to settle, but that is my personal choice. I'd rather have the extreme highs and lows than a consistent middle ground. You can't get big rewards if you don't take big risks.

Read the original article...