One Year Closer To Wisdom

I recently celebrated another trip around the sun 🎈

A year of challenge, self-discovery, healing and growth. But am I one year closer to wisdom?

I’ve learned so much I’d need to write a book, not a blog post. So rather than sharing the very many lessons I’ve learned, instead here are the lessons I’m taking forward into my next year, as commitments to my future self.

Ageing Positively: Age is a number, and my waistline doesn’t define my worth (hello birthday cake!). Embracing acceptance has been a game-changer for me and I hope to continue. I’m learning to celebrate every grey hair, (almost) every wrinkle / laughter line, and a few new curves. It’s about embracing the beauty of being a perfectly imperfect human being and remembering that confidence and authenticity are the most stunning accessories we can wear.

Which leads me to Authenticity: I know it’s important. I’m reading, I’m learning, I’m shedding, I’m trying. I just haven’t nailed it yet. *see people pleaser

Stop Lugging Around the Past: Most of us are hauling around emotional baggage. But guess what? You can’t change the past. Carrying it around only weighs us down and keeps us from experiencing the freedom and joy of the present. So, I’m learning to let go, release those old hurts, and make space for new experiences. It’s like Marie Kondo-ing my emotional closet!

And speaking of Marie Kondo… Less is not more. But less is better. I’ve moved apartments 5 times in 3 years and each time I’ve shed more stuff. It’s liberating! The less I have, the less I want, the less I need and the less I use. Next step… I’m seriously considering a capsule wardrobe. Watch this space…

Nothing is permanent. The only constant is change. If it’s difficult it will pass. If it’s positive, I can be sure that there will be more twists and turns up ahead. Accepting that change is inevitable, helps me adapt, grow, and stay open to new possibilities.

Laughter really is the best medicine. Spend more time with the people you laugh with. Life has been tough, we need to balance it out with fun.

Write. Things. Down. I wrote a post called I Lost My Way in Midlife. The follow-up post will be I Lost My Mind in Menopause! My mind is full. My memory is gone. Write. Things. Down.

People pleasing. Stop. They don’t even realise you’re doing it. You’re the one who ends up unhappy. Learn to set and communicate healthy boundaries.

People leave your life. Sometimes that’s for the best. Spend less time with candle-blower outers.

Belong to yourself first: “The opposite of belonging is fitting in. Fitting in is assessing and acclimating. ‘Here is what I should say/be, here is what I shouldn’t say, here is what I should avoid talking about, here’s what I should dress like/look like,’ that’s fitting in. Belonging, is belonging to yourself first” ~ Brené Brown. As an introvert who protects my limited social energy, I already seek out genuine connections and meaningful relationships. I’ll keep trying to break free from the pressure to conform, celebrate my individuality and trust in being myself.

Be you. Live your life. For you. I moved to Spain for a simpler and slower life. I’m living it. I’m loving it. Simplicity suits me. I don’t feel a need to do more. I’m happy doing less.

Worry is a waste of time. Depression is a thief of time. Life is short. Try not to lose precious time on worry and overthinking. Prioritise health and self-care to optimise mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Go all in. If you decide to do something, don’t do it half-a*sed. In my personal life, once I say ‘yes’, I show up fully. But in business, I’m less ‘in’. I have a career Plan B (actually, I also have a Plan C!). But I spent most of last year on Plan B, which resulted in me investing a lot of my time in someone else’s business. That business has now pivoted in a different direction, which is incredible for them, but has left them with little requirement for me. A year wasted? No. A year of learning. But this year, I’m investing in building my own business. I’m all in!

So there you have it, my fabulous friends – a glimpse into the lessons I’m learning while navigating through the messy middle of midlife.

Here’s to another year of laughter, growth, and embracing the beauty of being!