YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE
Monday, 17 December 2018
TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT OURSELVES
I read two quotes recently (within a few days of each other) that gave me something to ponder upon. I wondered whether we have more to offer this world than we give ourselves credit for? I find it really interesting that I can see the great character traits that others have, and yet fail to see them in myself.5 SOLO GETAWAYS THAT CAN RECHARGE YOU
Saturday, 15 December 2018
INTRO
I was approached recently by a company who is keen to promote the idea that you don't have to be part of a couple to enjoy travelling. If you're single there is still a whole world out there waiting for you to explore, and solo travel may be the way to go. It may take a little bit of a mindset change, or maybe you need a few suggestions to get you started - in today's post they offer five different types of getaways suggestions to inspire you.3 REASONS WHY BLOGGING IS LIKE BUYING SHARES
Monday, 10 December 2018
BLOGGING AND INVESTING
A few years ago a friend suggested that we start investing in shares because bank interest was so appallingly low and share dividends were much more lucrative. I'm a huge advocate of playing safe and shares always seemed a bit risky, but our friend recommended that we buy "safe" shares in banks because they won't blow up in our face like the more speculative areas are prone to do. It seemed like sensible advice and we've since used some of our savings to buy some "safe" bank shares.LOOKING BACK AT A MONTH OF GRATITUDE
Monday, 3 December 2018
NOVEMBER AND GRATITUDE
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
Monday, 26 November 2018
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of November, Summer is on its way down here in Australia - so, why not share a lovely end of Spring virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news.THE VIEW FROM MIDLIFE MOUNTAIN
Saturday, 24 November 2018
INTRO
Today is the very last of my Social Saturday guest posts and I have the lovely Lisa Ricard Claro to send us off with a great post about the lessons she learned from downsizing her home to something more manageable for Midlife. She's also offering a fabulous prize to three lucky readers at the end of the post - how great is that? So, without further ado, let me pass you over to Lisa.
CAN BEING SAD BE GOOD FOR YOU?
Monday, 19 November 2018
HAPPINESS AND SADNESS
I write a lot about happiness - it's a topic that I'm very fond of. I'm learning that we create our own happiness and it's important to take responsibility for how we choose to react to the circumstances and people in our lives. However, there's two sides to every coin and I'm learning that it's okay to be sad too.CREATING BOUNDARIES IN MIDLIFE
Monday, 12 November 2018
LEARNING TO CREATE BOUNDARIES
Boundaries were a whole new realm for me when I discovered them a few years ago. I think most of what I've learned has come from Brené Brown and her thoughts on having the courage to draw a line in the sand and say "No" - even when we know it will disappoint others. To place value on our own needs and health for a change.I've learned to define my boundaries by a) What I'm responsible for and b) What I'm NOT responsible for and I thought I'd share how I'm breaking that down at the moment.
WHAT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR
MY HAPPINESSThe idea that my happiness depended entirely on me was a huge concept to wrap my head around - releasing other people and their choices from the equation of what "makes me happy" is really hard for me, but so important if I want to find a centred contentement that isn't buffeted by the whims of others.
SAYING NO
The people pleaser in me feels compelled to say "Yes" to everyone's request - to find the extra time, to make the sacrifice, to do things that aren't convenient or appealing. But, the more confident "Me" is learning to say "No" if I need the space and it is an imposition. Finding the balance between not being selfish, and looking after myself is the line I'm juggling at present.
MY CHOICES
I choose my story - I choose whether I'm going to look for the positive in a situation, or whether I'm going to let the rain clouds win. I choose whether I take offence or let it go. I choose whether to say "Yes" or "No". I choose how I spend my time and what I invest myself into. I choose who I surround myself with - and who I cut loose. My life, my choices - and it's liberating to have the courage to choose what's best for me over what looks right to others.
MY REACTIONS
Good and bad things happen to everyone, how I react to the good and bad in my life is up to me. If I look for the negatives I'll always find them and that will colour my world view. If on the other hand I make a point of focusing on gratitude and how full my glass is, then I view my situation in a completely different light. It all boils down to how I react to the situation I'm in - and looking for the positives is the first step.
WHAT I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
OTHERS CHOOSING TO BE OFFENDEDI've struggled at times with people taking offence. It seems that the people who we are closest to are the ones who read motivation into our interactions that was never intended to be there. I can be genuinely sorry they are upset, but I can't live my life tip toe-ing around on eggshells, second guessing every word that comes out of my mouth. Ultimately they make the choice to be offended and I need to offer an apology if it's warranted and then leave the ball in their court.
FIXING EVERYONE
This is a big one for me - I think it's the oldest child syndrome coming into play. I want everyone to be happy, I want misunderstandings fixed, I want broken relationships fixed, I want emotionally messed up people to be fixed, I want things to be simple and "good". But, it's not up to me to fix everyone - I'm not Dr Phil - and even he doesn't have a 100% track record. It's not my job to fix everyone and everything - (note to self!)
EVERYONE AGREEING WITH ME
I like to think I'm right - I genuinely believe that I'm right - but that doesn't mean that I am. And even if I am right, it doesn't mean everyone will hold the same opinion as me. The world is full of shades of grey - and it gets greyer as I get older! Everyone interprets things based on their own back story and even black and white can differ from person to person. I have to accept that often people will disagree with my point of view - and that's okay.
EVERYONE APPROVING OF ME
This is another big one for me - I am such an approval seeker! I want to be liked, I want people to think I'm a good person and that I have value. But I can't control how others perceive me. Once again, it comes back to their own world view, their own history, their own split second judgement of me. I can only be myself, authentically true to my own beliefs and values and leave the approval in the hands of others - scary but liberating too.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you figured out the concept of boundaries? Are you able to separate what's your responsibility out from the mix? Are you free from worrying about the opinions of others?
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IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS AND TIME FOR A CHANGE
Thursday, 8 November 2018
WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
I started this blog in November 2014 - four years ago! It seems like only yesterday I had the whim to write my thoughts down somewhere. I had no idea where to start, didn't bother doing all the research and soul searching that others did before they began blogging. I just picked the cheapest, simplest blogging format out there and jumped right in.ANOTHER YEAR OLDER - ANOTHER YEAR WISER?
Monday, 5 November 2018
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
The world has turned, a year has passed and it's time for another birthday. I should be older and wiser than I was in November last year, so what have I learned in the last 12 months? It feels like the answer is "not much", but there have been a few things I've absorbed and I thought I'd share them - lessons can be challenging, but if we use them to grow and develop then they weren't for nothing.IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
Monday, 29 October 2018
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of October, Spring is well and truly underway down here in Australia - so, why not share a lovely pink and Springy virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news.HOW DECLUTTERING CAN JUMPSTART YOUR LIFE
Saturday, 27 October 2018
INTRO
Today's Social Saturday guest is Kristin from the Badass Kittens Club. I met Kristin when she left a comment on one of my posts and I thought "I have to check out a blog that has such a cool name!" - and I wasn't disappointed. Kristin even has a really funky little black cat logo that makes me smile every time I see it. Today she's joining me to talk about one of my favourite topics - decluttering.ARE YOU LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL?
Thursday, 25 October 2018
INTRO
This month I've been looking at the writing of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and how that relates to Midlife - or in today's case, Life in General. Over the last few weeks I've written about her quotes that relate to Midlife, Writing, and Relationships (I've included links in case you missed any of them).Today is the last of the series and it encompasses living life to the full - probably from the viewpoint that less is often more - we don't need to be overfilling our lives to live happily.
RIGHT NOW, SHE'S JUST LIVING HER BEST LIFE
Monday, 22 October 2018
AN INSPIRING QUOTE
I found this quote on The Minds Journal the other day and I thought how beautifully it reflected how we should be living in Midlife. It's time to focus on ourselves and find those things that bring us joy - forgetting what others are thinking or doing with their lives, and drilling down to what makes us who we are.GOOGLE AND THE INTERNET IN MIDLIFE
Saturday, 20 October 2018
INTRO
Today's Social Saturday guest is Lise from Caribbean Cruise Digest where she blogs about (you guessed it) cruising the world on ocean liners - a subject which she is an expert on after taking 40 or so cruises. I feel like a complete stay at home in comparison! Today Lise is taking a slightly different tangent and asking a question that has often occured to me as I enter a question into Google search.ARE YOU LIVING IN LOVING AND SECURE RELATIONSHIPS?
Thursday, 18 October 2018
INTRO
Throughout October I'm sharing some wonderful thoughts from Anne Morrow Lindbergh and how they are reflected in my own journey through Midlife. If you missed the first two posts you can catch up on them HERE (Midlife) and HERE (Writing) and today's post is on Relationships.There are three different kinds of relationships referred to in the quotes I've chosen - Marriage, Children, and Friendship, and I'd like to share a little on each.
LIVING TALL IN A SHORT WORLD
Monday, 15 October 2018
CONFESSION
Sometimes I envy short women. I'm sure they have lots of things they could list that are downfalls of being "height challenged" but there seems to be an assumption in our world in general that women are a certain height and clothing in particular is geared towards women all being 5' 4" (164cm) and the rest of us just need to compensate for that.BECOMING THE HEALTHIEST VERSION OF OURSELVES
Saturday, 13 October 2018
INTRO
Today I have Jean from Delightful Repast guesting with me for Social Saturday. Jean has a blog full of wonderful recipes that look and taste great, but also meet her standards for healthy eating. It's tricky getting the balance right, but Jean does it beautifully.Today she's sharing her thoughts on eating to stay healthy in Midlife and also a couple of tips on movement as well - something we all need to keep doing.
"ONE WRITES NOT TO BE READ, BUT TO BREATHE"
Thursday, 11 October 2018
WHY DO WE WRITE?
Last week I mentioned that I was feeling inspired by the writings of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and what she had to say on several different areas of life. The first was her views on Midlife and today I wanted to look at some of the thoughts she has on writing - which transfers across beautifully to why many of us blog.WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF?
Monday, 8 October 2018
ASKING THE HARD QUESTION
Sometimes I wonder if I actually practice what I preach.A few weeks ago I saw a Facebook post from Sue at ST60 & Beyond, where she asked what we liked best about ourselves. Sue was looking for an acknowledgement and recognition of what characteristic I had that I was really proud of. You'd think it would be a walk in the park for a 50+ year old woman to answer this wouldn't you?
MIDLIFE PATIENCE IN AN IMPATIENT WORLD
Saturday, 6 October 2018
INTRO
I've met so many wonderful Midlife bloggers from all over the world, and Lori Jo (from 50 with Flair) is one of the latest. She's only been blogging for a few months, yet has leapt in with both feet and her blog looks like she's been doing this stuff for years! I thought she might have secretly had a professional put it together for her, but that's not the case at all! She has figured out all the background stuff and on top of that manages to take some amazing fashion photos of herself with a camera, timer and tripod - what a woman!Today she's sharing something a little different to her usual stylish posts and is talking about something we can all relate to - the need to keep working on our patience levels!
ARE YOU SHEDDING YOUR SHELLS IN MIDLIFE?
Thursday, 4 October 2018
SHEDDING OUR SHELLS
I discovered another author recently whose words spoke to my heart on many levels. I thought I'd use my October Thursday posts to share Anne Morrow Lindbergh's wise words and mix it up with a few of my own. I've sorted some of her thoughts into four different topics - Midlife (today's post), Blogging/Writing, Life in General, and Relationships. I hope you enjoy reading them.A SMILE IS THE MIDLIFER'S SECRET WEAPON
Monday, 1 October 2018
SMILE!
So often we hear Midlife women bemoaning the fact that nobody sees them anymore. They feel invisible and they feel overlooked. But really, it doesn't take much to step out of that "grey zone" and to be recognized as viable and worth being paid attention to. It's not rocket science - the answer is so simple and it begins with a smile.
70 IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Saturday, 29 September 2018
INTRO
Today's Social Saturday guest is the lovely Donna from dbmcnicol.com . She's another one of the wonderful women I've connected with through the AtoZ Challenge. Meeting fabulous Midlife bloggers has been such a great byproduct of the AtoZ - and Donna is not just a blogger, she's also an author of some reknown - you can check out her novels when you click on her blog link.
In between riding motorbikes, living the RV life, doting on her Golden Doodles, and generally being amazing, today Donna is talking about what getting older means to her - she has such a great attitude and I think we can all learn from her example.
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
Thursday, 27 September 2018
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of September, Spring should be on its way soon down here in Australia - so, in the meantime, why not share another virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news.BEING A GRANDMOTHER IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET
Monday, 24 September 2018
THE BEST KEPT SECRET
Nobody tells you how wonderful being a grandmother is. I don't remember anyone saying to me "it's amazing being a Grandma/Nana!" I had no idea grandchildren brought so much joy into this stage of life.....until I had my own.HAPPY AND CONTENT WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Saturday, 22 September 2018
INTRO
My guest this week is Tomi from Think.Write.Inspire. When she saw that I was looking for Midlife bloggers to guest post for me on Social Saturdays, she very kindly offered to join the fun and suggested this post might be a good fit. I thought it was a great read and hope you enjoy meeting Tomi and reading about her encounter.BUT YOU CANNOT GROW IF YOU ARE BITTER
Thursday, 20 September 2018
"BUT YOU CANNOT GROW IF YOU ARE BITTER"
I saw this quote recently on Pinterest (have I mentioned how much I love quotes, and how much I love Pinterest?) It was such a short little quote, but it struck a chord with me because I see so many people who are stunted in their lives because they allowed a hurt to grow and colour their outlook on life.
ARE YOU BECOMING MORE IN MIDLIFE?
Monday, 17 September 2018
I'M NO LONGER "LESS" AND I'M BECOMING "MORE"
Last month I wrote a post about not making myself small any more. What I've found with the whole Midlife post 50 journey is that it's time to become more "Me" - finding who the real "Me" is and doing all I can to enable that woman to reach her potential. Not always sitting in the background watching life happen, but embracing opportunities as they come my way and doing my best to live my best life possible.MIDLIFE SCATTERBRAIN
Saturday, 15 September 2018
INTRO
Today's lovely guest for my Social Saturday series is Min from Write of the Middle. Min is another Aussie blogger who happens to live on the opposite coast of Australia to me - it seems most Aussie bloggers are East Coasters - it must be something in the tropical air over there that leads to the proliferation of Midlifers who blog. One day I'm going to buy a plane ticket and head on over to meet them all.In the meantime, Min is here today sharing about something I'm sure we can all relate to.
RENEWAL AND REFOCUSING IN MIDLIFE
Thursday, 13 September 2018
INTRO
Last Thursday I shared a post from my lovely husband Ross where he asked "Are You Having A Midlife Crisis?" At the end of the post he said he'd be back with some healthy ways to handle this season of life - especially if you feel that there are questions and issues that Midlife has triggered.
So today he's looking at strategies we can use to deal with any crisis we may be facing.
WHEN YOU CRUSH YOUR HUSBAND'S INNER 20 YEAR OLD
Monday, 10 September 2018
MIDLIFE MISCONCEPTIONS
Have you noticed that although we're in the second half of life, quite often we still feel like we're 20? When I look in the mirror I don't see a middle aged woman, I see a morph of that woman blurred in with the 20 year old I used to be. Maybe that's why I'm always taken aback when I see photos of myself and I look a lot older than I expected!THE JOYS OF ROAD TRIPPING
Saturday, 8 September 2018
INTRO
Today I have the lovely Jo Tracey from Rambles of a Hungry Writer, as my Social Saturday guest. Jo is a fellow Aussie (although she lives on the East coast and I'm way over in the West). She is the author of several novels, is a bit of an astrology expert, and I'm surprised she found the time to write this post after spending several weeks swanning around France in an open top coupe and wining and dining in exotic locales. Then she headed off on a long drive down the Australian East Coast (the woman gets around!) Today she's sharing a few thoughts (and photos) from her road tripping experiences.
ARE YOU HAVING A MIDLIFE CRISIS?
Thursday, 6 September 2018
INTRO
My lovely husband Ross wrote a guest post for my Social Saturday series in July titled Silence, Solitude, Simplicity and Surrender. His thoughts were appreciated by those who read the post and I saw a couple of other short articles he'd written and posted to Facebook and thought I'd share one today and the other next Thursday. They relate to Midlife and the concept of a "Midlife Crisis" - something I don't feel like I've had, but it's definitely an issue for a lot of us in the 50+ age range.So, here's Ross's thoughts on having a Midlife Crisis.
I WAS A VICTIM OF THE DREADED MAN FLU!
Monday, 3 September 2018
GETTING SICK
I am rarely sick - maybe once a year at the very most, and this might be a good thing because I'm not a great patient - I hate being unwell and I want to be back on my feet and getting on with life rather than swanning around on my sick bed with a cold compress clutched to my fevered brow.ZIP-LINING IS IN MY GENES
Saturday, 1 September 2018
INTRO
I met Trisha Faye through the April A to Z Challenge and she is also a regular contributor to our #MLSTL Link Party on Wednesdays. Every year I wonder why I let myself get caught up in the maelstrom of blogging daily for a month, then I meet lovely new bloggers like Trisha, and I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
THE 4TH OF THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Thursday, 30 August 2018
THE 4TH AGREEMENT
Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a best selling book called The Four Agreements - I really appreciated his insights and thought how well they could be applied to Midlife. So throughout August I've been covering them one at a time. Here is the 1st Agreement, and the 2nd Agreement and the 3rd Agreement (if you missed them). Today it's the Fourth (and final) Agreement and what Midlife has taught me in regard to it.IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
Monday, 27 August 2018
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE
It's time to celebrate the end of August, Winter should be on its way out soon down here in Australia - so, in the meantime, why not share another virtual cup of coffee with me while I update you on what's been going on in my life lately. I love a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, so I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news.50 SHADES OF FAYE
Saturday, 25 August 2018
50 SHADES OF FAYE
My surprise guest poster this week is my Mum, Faye. She is a larger than life version of me - she's more social, more generous, more colourful, and wayyyyy sexier than I could imagine being when I'm in my 70's. She has a wide circle of friends, belongs to several chapters of the Red Hat Society, has travelled the world, and is currently enjoying having a Friend with Benefits who is much younger than her.
I recommended she keep her post to a PG rating - I didn't think we wanted too much detail in regard to her regular coffee dates with her FWB that we refer to as "tea and crumpet" because it does my head in thinking about it (she shares wayyyy too much!) If you need any more details in regard to her life feel free to ask her in the comments! So let me introduce you to Faye....
FIFTY SHADES OF FAYE
Hi, I'm Leanne's Mum, Faye - she has asked me to write a guest blog post for her and suggested the above title. So here goes....THE 3RD OF THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Thursday, 23 August 2018
THE THIRD AGREEMENT
Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a best selling book called The Four Agreements - I really appreciated his insights and thought how well they could be applied to Midlife. So throughout August I'll be covering them one at a time. Here is the 1st Agreement, and here is the 2nd Agreement (if you missed them) and today it's the Third Agreement and what Midlife has taught me in regard to it.HOW TO RESTOCK IF YOU'VE OVERFISHED YOUR POND
Saturday, 18 August 2018
INTRO:
Today I have Karen from Profound Journey guest posting for Social Saturday. I met Karen through the AtoZ Challenge in April (it was the best Challenge so far for connecting with other fantastic Midlife bloggers!) Somewhere along the way, we just clicked - I think because Karen takes the time to write a thoughtful comment and to reply to those on her blog in a considered way too.
Karen is a deep thinker (hence her "Profound Journey") and today she shares how to re-fill your well when the levels feel low.
THE 2ND OF THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Thursday, 16 August 2018
THE SECOND OF THE AGREEMENTS
Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a best selling book called The Four Agreements - I really appreciated his insights and thought how well they could be applied to Midlife. So throughout August I'll be covering them one at a time. Last week it was the 1st Agreement and today it's the Second Agreement and what Midlife has taught me in regard to it.ESCAPING THE PERFECTIONISM TRAP
Monday, 13 August 2018
THE PERFECTION TRAP
Recently I wrote about Midlife being a process of re-creating from the unraveling. It's such an important concept for me, and I hope it struck a chord with other Midlifers. We aren't falling apart, we are growing and blooming and becoming more authentic every day. But one of the biggest issues I've had to deal with in the process of finding my true self was the whole Perfectionism trap.CONTENTMENT IS AN INSIDE JOB
Saturday, 11 August 2018
INTRO
Today's guest post is from Suzanne who blogs at Picture Retirement. Suzanne offered to pop over and share a post as part of my Social Saturday guest series. It's lovely to have someone who has a similar approach to life as me, and who also has retirement down to a fine art - after launching into it a little bit earlier than I've been able to (note there's a small amount of envy from me here!)
THE 1ST OF THE FOUR AGREEMENTS
Thursday, 9 August 2018
THE FIRST OF THE AGREEMENTS
Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a best selling book called The Four Agreements - I really appreciated his insights and thought how well they could be applied to Midlife. So throughout August I'll be covering them one at a time. Today it's the First Agreement and what Midlife has taught me in regard to it.
STOP APOLOGIZING AND BEING SMALL
Monday, 6 August 2018
THE ONGOING APOLOGY
I don't know about anyone else, but I spent the first 50 years of my life apologizing for who I was and trying to fit into a box that I thought was what was expected of me. I tended to shrink myself down to try to be small and acceptable - I wasn't game to show my true colours because they were too bright and too discordant and might cause offence.THE ART AND SCIENCE OF COOKING
Saturday, 4 August 2018
INTRO
Today's Social Saturday guest is Janet from Janet Mary Cobb. I met Janet through the April A to Z Challenge - it's the thing I love about doing the challenge each year - there's always someone new to discover. Janet has a really interesting life story that you can catch up on by reading about it on her guest post on Unfold and Begin - well worth a read after you leave here - it's not every day that you meet someone who used to be a nun and then reinvented herself several more times - and is still growing and evolving - she's such an inspiration to those who know her.
Today Janet is writing about another aspect of her life - cooking (is there anything this lady cannot do?)
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