Bangkok dangerous! Don't try this at home...

As an expat and woman in Bangkok I am in danger all the time...or so most people I talk to, who have not been here, seem to think. They often say things like: "Aren't you scared? Isn't Bangkok dangerous for women?" Most of these ideas come from something they may have glimpsed on the news or some report on the internet that highlighted some danger. Yes, we have had multiple coup d'etats here in the last 6 years, and certainly people died. We've also had floods, and more people died or their homes were ruined. People get killed here just as they do in the USA, Europe or Canada.

That does not stop most people from living a very enjoyable life here on a daily basis, and creating businesses in this thriving, bustling metropolis. 

In fact, I feel safer here than in many other countries. For one, with nearly 15 million people in this city, there are always people around. There are very few dark alleys for evil to lurk, most streets are brightly lit, with people out and about, eating on the street, socialising any night of the week. Thais are generally polite and happy to help if you ask for it. 

So when I hear that question, 'Aren't you scared?" about living and working overseas here in Asia, I wonder if it is not because the person asking it is maybe scared. Scared of unknowns, or scared of being out of their own comfort zone. It is easy to pass on an opportunity because it "may be dangerous" or "it wouldn't work anyway", or "I could never do/complete/succeed in that".  I let myself fall victim to that train of thought sometimes too. It is safe and easy. Comfortable like a well-worn blanket. 

Not your average commute to work...

But lately I've been doing a lot of reading about productivity, efficiency and challenging yourself. So I try to shrug off that security blanket sometimes and push myself beyond my comfort level. 

Because when you think about it, when are you really the happiest? 

It is when you are safely on the couch, watching that TV show, eating the same few rotated dinners, going on holiday to the same old places year in, year out? 

Or is it that time when you threw caution to the wind and went on that zip line adventure, or that time when you tried sushi and found out you loved raw fish after all? Or when you went cycling through the Masai Mara, and ended crashing upside down in an aardvark hole with scratches and bruises all over, but was not that one of the highlights of the trip? 

When do you feel the most alive? Tim Ferriss' book, The 4-Hour Workweek suggests that the opposite of happiness is not sadness but boredom, and that therefore excitement equates to happiness. For me, I think that's what makes me love being my own boss as well as living in another country. It forces me to get outside my comfort zone sometimes, simply because I've either never done it before, or I've never been there before. And guess what? Most times, I don't die, I don't actually fail miserably, or horribly embarrass myself. In most cases, the worst case scenario is just a good laugh at yourself. I think you'll find the same thing for you. 

Try a new dish every week...?

So why not give yourself a challenge? Perhaps start small: Eat something completely new, once a week. (Eating children only recommended for fictional characters.)

Or check out this Failure Games app, which gives you challenges and 24 hours to complete each. Today's challenge: Ask a friend to write down 3 things you can improve upon, then take a photo of the list (you have to submit the proof; you're held accountable!). 

In stead of re-booking last year's all-inclusive getaway, you could throw a dart at a map and go on a road trip holiday there. Imagine if you got lost! Would it really be so bad? 

There are lots of ways to challenge yourself. If you're getting a queazy feeling in your gut, you're doing it right! 

Hopefully this post inspired you to take a step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. If it did, or if you have other ideas and suggestions, please share it in the comments!

Happy Halloween everyone! Spook on! 

Cristel

Your Senzu Style Insider.  

Culturally Inspired, Fashionably Colorful

Wow, here we are in March already, and Spring is only 6 more weeks away! Time to lighten up the outfits along with the weather and channel a bit of Spring in your look too.  

The 2011 Naturals Collection was launched with the addition of 3 very unique necklaces, each inspired by different places and peoples of the multi-cultural, colorful and sensual continent of Africa. 

Madagascar Midnight was inspired by the innumerable stars that sparkle bright in a dark nightsky above the warmth of a wood fire, and those are the colours that come back in the necklace. It looks great on a solid-color outfit or simple dress, adding a touch of tropical and sensual élan with the depth and sparkle of the warm tones of the necklace. A true statement piece.  

The city of Zanzibar, in all its spice trade glory (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper), quintessential lanterns, pearlescent sandy beaches and its beautiful people was the inspiration for the Zanzibar Spice Necklace. This necklace is so versatile, it looks great on a LBD for evening events or on any daytime outfit, ranging from jeans and white t-shirt to natural tones and everything solid-colored in between.  

Finally, African Dreams was inspired by a trip Brad and I did in the beginning of 2010, when we visited Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Namibia, and had the immense pleasure of meeting different tribal peoples in all these countries. Their colourful dress, jewelry, headdresses and the simplicity of the beaded jewelry is reflected in this Senzu homage to their beautiful sense of style. I personally love the fact that there are 4 different ways to wear this necklace, and they all create a different look, with just 1 necklace. The colors are bright and really pop, yet they complement one another. 


For those who’d like to see some pictures of our trip and the people we met there, please visit Brad’s photography site, www.bradmol.com. 


I find inspiration for jewelry designs all around me, in my everyday life in Asia, traveling around the region or on trips like the one to Africa last year, and from the colors, textures, shapes and the feelings those images impress upon me. Where do you get your creative inspiration?


Styling it up,


Cristel, your Senzu Style Insider.