Guest Blog: Margie Vorillas

My friend Margie is a true kindred spirit. She has such energy and zest for life that is infectious. Margie is great at looking outside the box and providing a refreshing perspective on things. She is passionate about living a fulfilled life and she is a true inspiration to me. Here are her musings on recalibration...

Life gets a little dull when you stay in one spot for too long. I’m talking about that feeling, when you become too familiar with something. The feeling of being too comfortable in your environment. You get itchy feet, you want to travel, move, change things up, maybe even do something reckless. Sometimes you just need to recalibrate!

My work place recently moved a 5.5 minute walk from my home. When I first heard we were moving, I was awakened with excitement, thinking about trips home on my lunch break. I thought it was a dream come true, I could go home to drink hot chocolate, and perhaps fit in little nanna nap. Unfortunately, one minor detail was left off my dream list - I would become stuck in my own version of Ground Hog Day!  

Suddenly I was stuck, in a monotonous routine. Compared to the variety and excitement I’d become accustomed to while working in the big city. In the city I would run across the harbour bridge weekly, have lunch dates in wonderful cafes. Around every corner in the CBD, was a new experience to be embraced. And now, my lunch time is replaced with dumplings, dumplings and more dumplings!

A few months after the move I wanted to pull my hair out, because I felt I was going mad. I began to fantasise about the next big, expensive holiday (I had just come home from 3 months in Mexico). And free time was spent scheming about ways to get back in the city. I was confused, because I love what I do for work, and didn't want to change my job. But I felt frustrated being stuck in suburbia, day in and day out.

Then one afternoon, after work, I had a moment of recalibration! I went to the grocery store, to buy tomato paste. My mind was screaming 'Blrggh I don't want to go to the same local shopping centre again'. I listened to that voice, and drove the extra ten minutes, to a shopping centre in the next suburb. Surprisingly, this small trip shifted me into recalibration.

The neighboring shopping centre was recently renovated. Suddenly I was immersed in sparkly new surroundings. I wandered around curiously, observing the small differences in the new centre. I explored the fresh new shops, ate at an unfamiliar cafe. It was a satisfying experience, for my curious and adventurous soul.

That day I learnt escape through crazy travel adventures, and emotionally charged ideas, is not always the answer. If you feel down in the dumps on a routine day, take a small dip into a new experience. This will help keep the everyday interesting and vibrant. Especially if you wish to stay grounded, and focused on the  bigger vision. Simply get creative with your daily routine, and mix it up a little.

If you’re a gym junkie, go for a swim at the pool one day. Why not book a ticket to an interesting seminar or talk? You could start a side project? Or simply download an album from an unknown artist.

Tomorrow I shall embark on my standard 5.5 min walk to work. But to keep things fresh in Ashfield tomorrow, I will drive to the beach for a morning walk,  use coloured pens instead of the standard black and red colours, email a friend in Spanish, then cook a meal I’ve never tasted.

About Margie...

You will usually find Margie working on a major event campaign, coordinating a private wedding/ function or hosting a quirky party for friends and family. Margie loves bringing communities together and creating buzzing environments through events and festivals. Alongside her love for organising events, she also enjoys learning Spanish, does a little rock n roll dancing with her husband Chris, runs and likes to travel the world. Simply put, Margie believes in approaching life in a creative manner as it makes everyday life remarkably interesting and fulfilling.