I recently celebrated another trip around the sun š
A year of challenge, self-discovery, healing and growth. But am I one year closer to wisdom?
Iāve learned so much Iād need to write a book, not a blog post. So rather than sharing the very many lessons Iāve learned, instead here are the lessons Iām 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 itās important. Iām reading, Iām learning, Iām shedding, Iām trying. I just havenāt nailed it yet. *see people pleaser
Stop Lugging Around the Past: Most of us are hauling around emotional baggage. But guess what? You canāt 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. Iāve moved apartments 5 times in 3 years and each time Iāve shed more stuff. Itās liberating! The less I have, the less I want, the less I need and the less I use. Next step⦠Iām seriously considering a capsule wardrobe. Watch this spaceā¦
Nothing is permanent. The only constant is change. If itās difficult it will pass. If itās 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 donāt even realise youāre doing it. Youāre the one who ends up unhappy. Learn to set and communicate healthy boundaries.
People leave your life. Sometimes thatās for the best. Spend less time with candle-blower outers.
Belong to yourself first: āThe opposite of belonging is fitting in.Ā 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 firstā ~ BrenĆ© Brown.Ā As an introvert who protects my limited social energy, I already seek out genuine connections and meaningful relationships. Iāll 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. Iām living it. Iām loving it. Simplicity suits me. I donāt feel a need to do more. Iām 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 Iām learning while navigating through the messy middle of midlife.
Hereās to another year of laughter, growth, and embracing the beauty of being!