Untitled… A rather polarising title don’t you think? I didn’t know what I was going to write about and quite frankly, I wasn’t certain I would write at all.

I’ve been out of the blogosphere for roughly a month, or what I have referred to as ‘the period I almost lost my mind’. Thinking back on it, I find my mini meltdown somewhat amusing. I mean it’s not uncharacteristic of me to hyperbolise my emotions… Ask anyone who knows me well enough (they might just have a story or two to tell).

Anecdotes aside, you could say I went through a bit of a ‘dry spell’. Now I know what some of you are thinking… Guys get your minds out of the gutter! This was more of a creative dry spell.

You know when someone tells you to find your passion and once you do, you will never have to work a day in your life? What they don’t tell you is how hard it is to keep that passion ignited once you do. Let’s be honest, your passion is not going to ignite itself. This is a constant decision you need to make, probably on a daily basis and if you don’t you’re left with this obscured reality that pursuing that very passion was a meaningless task.

I must admit that the aforementioned is grossly morbid, but I swear there is somewhat of a silver lining.

I’ve learned very recently that one ought to will oneself to pursue that very passion… CONSTANTLY! It is not a once-off decision, but a daily one. As I’ve said early it is hard work to do so, but it is literally the only way your passion will ever work for you.

Another piece of advise I’d like to offer is that integrity will shape your character in ways you may never fully understand. The high school I attended had the following motto: “Developing leaders of Integrity”. I can honestly say that I never truly understood this until now and I matriculated in 2012 just to be clear. In a world where people literally fall for anything, you absolutely have to find what you’re passionate about and stand up behind it. “A tree with strong roots laughs at storms” ¬ Malay Proverb

Perhaps one the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve received is that ‘No’ is never the end. My aunt arranged something really special for my mother’s 40th birthday which involved the Joburg Theatre; a headline act; the headline act inviting my mother on stage and having the entire audience sing happy birthday to her- I thought it was somewhat of a goliath-like achievement, but then again that’s me your passive-aggressive blogger. To cut a long story short I eventually asked how she managed to arrange this ‘surprise’ (we’ll call it) and all she said to me was: “The worst they could’ve said to me was no”. Needless to say that was a huge wake up call for me and I’ve applied this ideal to almost all of my experiences.

To be completely honest, I didn’t know how I was going to write this post and I wasn’t sure I’d release it either, but it was honestly the most encouraging post I’ve had the pleasure of writing. I could go on to share the hundreds of pieces of advice I’ve been given, but I sincerely hope that what I’ve chosen to include in this piece was and is worth your time.

Oh and we took some awesome snaps whilst exploring the inner parts of Jozi. Hope you enjoy them!

Outfit Details:

• Knitted poloneck& rings – Markham
• Wool trousers- H&M
• Arthur Jack Marshall derbys- Tread + Miller
• Leather messenger bag- Woolworths

Photography:

• MOTOGRAPHY

Links:

• Instagram: @lorenzo.rufus
• Facebook: The Journal of Rufus

Thank you for Reading! Stay Stylish!