Day two!

Launched my instagram page yesterday, and a successful following is building!


Today's entry: Willpower. Some days it's awesome, other day's, it is, in the words of the Irish,
"complete and utter shite!"

Today, with spring on the way and the Irish rain no where to be found, it was a spring day for the books, and for the majority of my friends, it became a day to blow off Financial Accounting 1 and head to the pub for a few pints and to sit out and enjoy the sunshine.

And come tomorrow, they might do the same again.

And thus, begins another day where I have to be strong. With training starting at 7.00 p.m., day drinking isn't really ideal for a successful swim session. To keep my scholarship, I have to stay ahead of my studies. And, to keep my finances in check, an afternoon buying rounds at the bar isn't really going to fit into the already very tight student budget.

So, it became another time to choose. And as gut-wrenchingly lonely as it is, I sat out of the afternoon on the town.

Some may say, what's the big deal? One day isn't going to make or break your life, right?

And this is true, but it isn't just one day. This is a constant struggle. The difficulty of finding a balance between what will help me go further academically and athletically, and what can help me socially.

Whether it's an afternoon out, a night out, a big day, ANYTHING that sometimes conflicts with your goals I always remember these things:

BE BRAVE:
It takes guts to set out to achieve the impossible, and it is nothing short of brave to decide to walk your path

BE RESILIENT:
Don't give up when it gets discouraging. Don't be afraid to let friends go who don't support you in your endeavours. Don't be afraid to sit in uncomfort temporarily, as I have grown to know, it is the things in life that require you to give the most that bring the biggest rewards.

College is a constant balancing act, a game of choices. And while it was tough to be one of the few kids in a lecture today, I know that once I get out of the pool tonight, none of it will matter. I will have made another step towards to success, and that to me is more valuable than any Monday afternoon pints... (but that sure as hell doesn't mean I won't be down the pub once the weekend comes, and the workouts and assignments have been annihilated) 😏😜

Cheers lads,
Hailey