1. That 'empty nest' doesn't just mean your babies fly away, but that you get to choose what the next chapter is. And that can be as exciting and challenging as you feel ready for! (And maybe pushing yourself is good for you)
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| My baby on his first day at uni, 1 16hr drive or 2hr flight away |
2. That I still really, really need to get the hell off Facebook
3. That you can teach an old dog new tricks! I taught myself how to knit because...OMG so much lovely yarn! Starting with a load of You Tube videos...making a scarf, a beanie and an almost completed shawl.
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| almost doubled in size now! |
4. That middle age spread doesn't shift no matter how hard you try.
5. That you and only you are in charge of your career. (That was a hard lesson to learn.)
6. To acknowledge my fear and do it anyway! Only I am standing in the way of adventure and growth.
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| swimming with rays and tiger SHARKS!!!!! |
7. That shocking people still makes me feel like a rebel!!!
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| dressing as a punk for a fancy dress party was hilarious and even though I'd known most of the people at the party for over 10 years their reactions to me was interesting...some of them steered well away...!! |
8. That nature is AMAZING and powerful and beautiful
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| Where boiling lava meets the ocean |
9. Did I mention I need to get off Facebook?
10. That there still isn't much that can't be made better with a good cry, a belly laugh, a hug and a glass of cold pinot gris.
What did you learn last year? Do you have anything to stretch yourself planned for this year?
Here's to a fabulous learning-filled and exciting 2017 xxx
Louisa
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool list. And so 'go get 'em'. Love it!!!
That knitting - its gorgeous! The last time I attempted the art it was a disaster. I'll stick to writing methinks :).
And that volcano - did you take that picture? I'm slightly obsessed with volcanoes but have never seen one. I bet it was amazing.
Ally
Oh my God, Ally you have to go to the Big Island in Hawaii if you love volcanoes. We went in November and it was fabulous. We walked inside a lava tube, walked on 56 year old crusty lava that was still warm under our feet and watched the sun go down as boiling lava crashed into the sea. A must-see for any volcano fans...I wasn't until I went there!!!
DeleteI totally agree with your #s 2, 5, 9 and 10. In addition to that, I learned that I can read a fair amount without intending too but I need to put steps in place to make sure said reading doesn't replace writing time.
ReplyDeleteI also learned that if I don't write my goals down then I don't achieve them or don't achieve as much towards them. Irony now is that I've been procrastinating on writing up my current ones as the fitness ones are driving mad with setting a time frame for. The same day (3 Jan) that I decided I wanted to develop a daily (or at least most days) walking habit and redevelop a regular gym routine, I proved how much of a talented un-coordinated person I am by breaking my left big toe tripping over the frame of Mum's freestanding full length mirror. Since Wednesday's orthopaedic fracture followup was apparently too early to know if it's healing properly, I don't know when I can start taking the actions I want to and have the resulting flow on difficulties deciding on dates to aim for. Shouldn't be preventing the others being set properly and written down though
Oh you seem to be well organised with your goals, Lyn! So sorry to hear about the toe. What a pain!! (Do you think the universe is trying to tell you that going to the gym is a bad idea??? ;-))
DeleteBoth my babies left home last year, Louisa and you're right its an opportunity for the parents as well as the kids. But this year they're really flying away, to the other side of the world and I suspect I'll be less zen about that even though I'm excited for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat did I learn last year? That I can incorporate exercise into my social media time and thus make better use of my time to actually write words. It's been a bit of a revelation actually! :-)
It's a real heart wrench when they leave, isn't it, AA? But thank goodness for technology that makes the world seem smaller these days. I can't imagine what my parents went through when i headed off with the promise of a weekly phone call and the odd postcard!!
DeleteAnd well done you for managing to exercise and work at the same time. Brilliant!
Hi Louisa
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list way to go on the knitting I used to knit a lot years ago not these days I have learnt that there in never enough hours in the day to do what I want and I have learnt that it is only me that can allocate time to what I want to do and I need to get this done :)
And as for family moving away that happened to me now I seem to be having them all move back in I have a full house again two grandkids a sister and one of my daughters is moving back :)
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, it's actually quite a relief to realise you are in charge of how you spend your time, isn't it? (Especially after years of working for someone else!!).
DeleteAnd yay to the full house!!!
I love the beanie - so cute! I would love to learn how to knit but the last time I tried I thought my mum was going to stab me with a knitting needle because I frustrated her so much LOL
ReplyDeleteThis year I'm doing a lot of weight-lifting as my 'working out' routine. I'd love to learn some Olympic lifts.
Ha ha on the knitting, Stef!! I watched heaps of you tube videos and just went at my own pace! Good luck on the weight-lifting- sounds great!
DeleteI love your list, Louisa! But... YOU SWAM WITH SHARKS!!! Mind you, if you were dressed as a punk while you did it they probably all thought they'd better be on their best behaviour. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis year I'm going to take a zumba class (when the weather starts to cool down). So maybe I'll learn me some rhythm. ;-)
They were only little sharks, Michelle!! LOL
DeleteYay, yay, yay to zumba!!! You will love it!!!!!!!!
Totally agree with No. 10, but then you already know that.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest learning last year was that I still love cooking for family and friends, drinking Pinot Gris, (yeah, I know, No. 10 right), writing my books, and time with my grandies.
It's always great to appreciate what you have AND love it too. I really enjoy having a good laugh, and pinot gris with you, Sue xxx
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