The Validity of One's Pursuit of Happiness

Disclaimer: Before we proceed I need to make clear that I fully support the proliferation of knowledge and education to all, women and men alike. Furthermore I strongly encourage and admire any individual's personal choice to devote their life to their career. So please do not mistake what you're about to read as suggesting otherwise, because that would not be the case. 

What is a controversial discussion should really be a simple concept: feminism should, and on some level has, liberated women (not globally but arguably in 'developed' societies) in that she has the equal right, as any, to choose what she deems worthy of her life's devotions. That said, there is still this suffocating stigma that pre-defines the boundaries of success for women

Young women today are prescribed this equation for happiness that encompasses independent success that is largely career focused. I see so many people, men and women alike, slaving through university and a corporate job with no real attainment of wisdom or joy. Yet so many are shamed for not adopting this path. I'm not detracting from the importance of an education or discouraging the youthful drive and hunger for success. What I'm trying to emphasis is that one should make such pursuits through their own wilful mindedness. Should this path give them no true value and enrichment then I truly see no purpose for it. 

"Eventually I think I would like to devote myself to my family and children..." said with hesitation. 

"Really?" (Cue speech about the great insult this is to feminism)

In my personal experience through university and a corporate career, I have encountered many occasions where women are questioned for their persuasion towards a family focus lifestyle rather than a 'successful career'. This is only an example of the pressures faced by women today to achieve simply to satisfy the expectations of their peers.Whilst I am not insinuating that this is the case for all women, or that a successful career is not a valid life goal, my point is that as individuals we should feel liberated to pursue happiness, whatever form that may materialise in. Feminism was a movement of liberation. The great achievements of our predecessors should not be manipulated by modern activist to guilt women into passionless pursuits. I have an honest belief that if a woman is happy and free in what she devotes her daily life to, it really is no business of mine, or anyone else, to question or judge her. 

Whilst I have made the very personal choice to attain a university degree and strive towards a corporate career, many of my peers have opted for other routes. Narrowing the focus to simply the female cohort, I know many women who forged this path for many a reasons and I cannot say indefinitely that my happiness surpass theirs. In fact were I to, it would be said with much hesitation. I know one too many high achieving university students or even graduates who lack direction driven by passion. True, unadulterated, raw passion. Often times I feel their focus is misdirected because our society has constructed this artificial standard dictating what qualifies as a thing worth chasing, as a thing lucrative enough to justify our life's reverence.   

Don't let anyone build the confines of what qualifies as a passion or a subject worthy of your pursuit in life. Remove yourself from the measurements and categories constructed around you. Be limitless. I should think that once you forgo the interpretations and ideals of success imposed by society, many real opportunities and possibilities will open to you. Otherwise you will be destined to an endless chase for validation that you have achieved "something" in life as defined by everyone else but you. 

Just a little food for thought.

Chanel

Peak Hour Rush: Breakfast

Breakfast. That all important first meal of the day that gets you up and running (literally if you're always late for the train like I am) for the day. But don't lie, you skip it. Regularly. Even worst? Your at desk "breakfast" of choice is most likely a coffee (soy latte to be exact). It's a horrible habit that greatly diminishes your brain power, energy levels and is damaging to your overall physical health. But like so many things that aren't good for us, we do it because it's easy and convenient and really time management is not my best skill set at 7am in the morning. 

So what's a resolve that does not compromise speed and ease or demand more time in the early morning rush to work? Pre-packed breakfast is your answer! If you're working full time in an office environment you should be packing lunch at least 3-4 days a week as it is. If you work in the CBD (city) as I do, buying lunch everyday makes coming too work more about spending money than earning it! So, if you're packing lunch the night before, you might as well pack breakfast as well. Best part? Pre-made breakfast is a much less demanding task than lunch. 

Tips 

> Breakfast on the go should be light and easy. Nothing rich and heavy simply because it'll make you too full and you'll be falling asleep at your desk rather than feeling energised and ready to take on the world!

> Pick relatively hassle free, low maintenance foods so that you can eat it on the train or at your desk in the office. Don't be embarrassed, because I can assure you, everyone around you is either completely empathetic (they're on the same train, most likely going into work too!) or completely jealous, they're hungry bellies growling.  

> If you're self conscious and want to be discrete, pick foods that don't have a strong smell. 

Fruit Salad & Organic Yogurt 

Make a big batch Sunday night and keep it in the fridge. You can snack on it during the week whenever you like, but it's amazingly easy to pack in Tupperware and take on the go to work. 

Breakfast friendly fruits may include, but are not limited to:

> Bananas 

> Blueberries

> Strawberries

> Lychee 

> Rockmelon 

I am currently obsessed with Five:am's organic yogurt range. Honey & Cinnamon is my weakness. It's thick, it's creamy and completely addictive. I have a preference for dipping my pieces of slice up fruit in it but you can also stir in some granola for a filling breaky! 

So let's do our best to get on, and stay on, that breakfast bandwagon! Don't let a busy schedule compromise a balanced lifestyle.

Chanel

Working Girl: Professional Comfort

When you have to be at work five days a week, some eight hours a day, it's important that you not only look professional, but comfort is imperative. I'm not suggesting anyone show up in a corporate office in their track pants, but I think we can all happily agree if we can look the part, throw in some personal styling and still be comfortable, our work week would be much more bearable. 

I personally work in a fairly conservative corporate office environment, where Casual Fridays is not even an option within my department. Even so, I have managed to incorporate pieces here and there to amp up basic corporate attire. Obviously it is important that personal discretion is used, you should know what you will and won't get away with. 

 

Base
1. White collared shirt - ft. Cue Tucked Raglan Sleeve Shirt 
2. Black tailored high-waisted trousers - ft. Topshop 32" Stitch Cigarette Trousers 
3. Black cropped fluffy jumper - ft. Supre Kitty Cat Crop    
4. Black pointed heels - Nine West Eviee Wedges
Accessories
1. Structured black bag - Prada Saffiano Lux Tote
2. Thin black and gold belt - Portmans Metal Career Belt
3. Rose gold watch - Michael Kors Runway Watch
4. White nail polish - Sally Hansen White On

When trying to incorporate unconventional pieces into a professional outfit, I prefer to maintain a natural colour palette and a classic silhouette. The design of the shirt and trousers provides a neat and simple frame as your canvas. I particularly love the cut of this shirt from Cue because it provides structure and accents feminine definition.

The pièce de résistances, the center piece, is of course the cropped shaggy jumper. The insanely soft material will keep you warm on those early morning winter commutes to work. Ensure that you keep this piece at a fitted size and avoid sizing up too much. Whilst I'm all for cozying up with oversized fluffy jumpers, the slouchy look will take away from the professional silhouette.

Keeping the everything black and white, with peaking accents of varying shades of gold keeps the look edgy but keeps it from being tipping over to tacky.

If I'm being honest, this particular outfit has been revisited a couple of times but I say why not get the most out of a good thing!