LIVING LIGHTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS
If you read my blog regularly (thank you if you do!) you'll know I chose "Live Lightly" as my Word(s) Of The Year for 2023. I've made a pledge to myself to chill out a little this year and to take things as they come, rather than trying to push too hard or trying to control everything. I hope my year will reflect taking life at a gentler pace and stepping lightly and slowly.
So, on that note, to wrap up May, I'll be sharing a few little highlights that contributed towards a lovely month....
FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
Mother's Day came and went during May, and it was a quiet one for me. I went out for lunch with my lovely Mum, and my brothers and their families. It was good to get together and for Mum to have us around on her special day, but it wasn't a big deal for me.
Our kids are both a couple of hours away and don't make the trip down for this particular Sunday. Instead they make sure they call and send me a card with their best wishes. It's lovely that they take the time, and I don't expect 4-5 hours of travel for a lunch date, so I'm happy to take my calls and wait to see them in a few weeks when we head up to the city.
RETIREMENT HIGHLIGHTS
The big news from the job front is that I put my notice in a few weeks ago. I'm writing a full post on it all next Monday, but for now I'll say that I felt like it was time to transition fully into retirement mode. I wasn't ready the first time, and I didn't feel like it was fully on my terms - this time I just felt like I was done. I'm weary (maybe from my parathyroid issues, maybe from age?) but regardless, I'm ready to be home full-time.
I feel good about the decision and it was nice to be told I'd be missed and to be asked if I was sure I wanted to go. There were hugs, cake, chocolates, and flowers - so different to last time when everything was so toxic and horrible.
BLOGGING HIGHLIGHTS
May seemed to be a month of deeper thinking for me on the blog. I'd read a book that mentioned the difference between being 'nice' and being 'kind' - which gave me a lot to think about in regards to myself and to others. I've also been thinking about how important inner happiness is - far outweighing all the focus given to external gratification.
I also was approached by a company that makes hair dryers at the top end of the market. Zuvi use new technology that combines light with the normal drying process. It claims to reduce heat damage and frizz - both of which sounded amazing. It's more expensive than any hair appliance I've ever used, but I just had to give it a try. If you missed last week's post, you might like to check it out - it was a game changer for me in how I look at more exclusive products.
If you missed any of my posts this month, you can find links to them below:
CREATING HIGHLIGHTS
I just finished my latest book of collages with two that I created in May. I'm thinking about what direction I want to go in next, but (as usual) it'll probably be something that catches my eye and sends me off in on a new theme....stay tuned. In the meantime, these were my final two.
OTHER MAY HIGHLIGHTS
May wouldn't be May for me without watching Eurovision. It's such a wild, whacky ride and always gives me a smile. Such a mixture of performances and so glitzy and random. Australia has been granted the privilege of entering for the last several years. This year we had a "progressive techno metal band" called Voyager represent us. They did well - but Loreen from Sweden took out the honours with a song that was all about being stuck on you like a tattoo (only at Eurovision would you get those lyrics!) which she sang inside a prop that looked like a sandwich press! If you missed it you can watch her song on Youtube HERE. Below are Voyager and Loreen.
MAY'S LIVING LIGHTLY QUOTE
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Hi Leanne, congratulations on retirement. You need to do what is right for you, don't you? Although it was a much lovelier experience leaving this job to your previous one. The flowers are gorgeous. Great you could spend Mother's day with your Mum. I wondered if you watched Eurovision as you are probably the only person in my circle who does so good that you didn't let the team down. Have a lovely June, we are cruising to New Guinea for 10 days which will be relaxing. x
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - I'm looking forward to your New Guinea cruise photos - an unusual choice of destination. And yes, I have to keep flying the Eurovision flag - it's a fun competition when you follow it for so long. Leaving the job this time was soooo much nicer - now to decide what's next....
DeleteOh, Leeanne, your collages are so creative and fun. I would love to see how you make them. The supplies. Where you get your images. How you adhere them and to what? My sister and I are working our way through a number of free and almost free craft projects we found online. One is a fabric collage with some hand stitching. Yikes!! Going to start it shortly. We have been painting this week. If you are interested in any of the links to the courses, let me know. We have such fun Facetiming and crafting together.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were well celebrated with cards and phone calls for Mother's Day. I told my girls - no gifts. We are going to be together in the summer and I would rather we spend that money on making a memory together.
I have a tab open to read about nice vs kind and look forward to learning more about your decision to re-retire. Sounds like you and your hard work were much appreciated and will be sorely missed. I am thankful you got the sendoff you deserved this time and last!!
Hi Leslie - collaging really suits me because it costs me next to nothing, allows me to feel creative, and produces something pretty at the end. I source my pictures from magazines, books (from the $1 book stall), and online. Those plus an old book to put them into and a glue stick and I'm good to go. I'm glad you like them and I hope you show us your fabric one when it's done.
DeleteLeaving work was so much better this time - I felt like I was ready, that it was on my terms, and that I was leaving on a happy note......so different to the toxic job that nearly destroyed me. Life often brings us lovely consolation prizes if we perservere.
Loved your description of this second retirement and how it seemed the right time to make the decision. I wonder if there was also a need to rewrite the script the happy and right way . How nourishing it all was.
ReplyDeleteHi Judith - it felt so "right" this time - a choice, rather than a reaction. I wasn't trying to save myself, I was just ready to move onto a new phase. Mind you, I'm feeling a bit weary and ready for a gentler life while I tackle this next op for my parathyroid - and I'm probably still in the shadow of my hip replacement - so rest and recovery lie in my future (and no responsibility!)
DeleteTattoo really was the perfect Eurovision song wasn't it? Happy final retirement... or is it the last time lol?
ReplyDeleteShe is just the perfect example of Eurovision Jo - a slightly weird song, an amazing body, an unusual backdrop - her previous winner "Euphoria" was great too. I thought our entry was very Eurovision and a little less try hard than some of the others. I wonder if we'll ever win?
DeleteI'm hoping this might be the final retirement - I actually changed my FB status to "retired" - which I didn't do after the toxic job......but who knows what the future holds? I need to get myself truly well and then I'll figure out what's next.
Leanne, congrats on your second retirement. It’s nice to be able to make these life changes on your own schedule rather than someone else’s. I hope your parathyroid issue is getting sorted. Suffering some of my own health issues, I know how distracting and inconvenient it can be. I do pop into your blog fairly regularly and enjoy your thoughtful posts.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle - thanks so much for your kind words (and for popping into my blog to visit regularly). Yes, leaving on my own terms and timetable was so refreshing. I actually think I'm ready this time to stop associating my self-worth with my productivity - or with the opinions of others. The parathyroid gets operated on in a few weeks - I'm looking forward to seeing if it has a positive affect on my overall wellbeing.
DeleteHi Leanne. You seem to be in good spirits, even with all you've been through, lately. I hope you do whatever makes you happy. Thank you for the catch-up. I look forward to your next post. Stay well, dear friend. xx Christina Daggett
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - life is never stagnant - but I'd love to not have any health stuff lurking in the background (it makes me feel old!) Retirement is making me happy this time - I feel so much more in control of the whole progress - deciding rather than reacting this time.
DeleteHi Leanne, what a lovely send off your work colleagues gave you and it's a great end to your working life knowing you will be missed and were well thought of. A family meal on Mother's Day is an enjoyable way to celebrate the day. Love the collages.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth - yes, it was so nice to leave on such an upbeat and positive note - especially in comparison to the disaster that my last job turned into! And going out for Mothers Day was nice - it would have been better if it was with my kids rather than my mum and brothers - but it was a nice consolation prize.
DeleteHi, Leanne - Welcome back to full-time retirement. Your send-off looks lovely and very well-deserved. It is wonderful being able to retire to something as opposed to retiring from something.
ReplyDeleteBTW Your collages are beautiful!
Hi Donna - you said it perfectly about the retiring 'to' vs retiring 'from' scenario. I feel so much lighter this time - and it feels right, rather than leaving and feeling I needed to be triaged! I'm finally seeing this as the end, rather than questioning my choice. And thank you for your lovely compliment about my collages. x
DeleteHappy re-retirement! It sounds like you will be missed; and isn't that always nice to hear?!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne - I'm referring to it as re-retirement too - it feels right and it feels very nice to know that my efforts were appreciated and acknowledged - and good to leave on a positive note this time. :)
DeleteHope retirement settles into what you want it to be. Off to read your nice versus kind post.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping so too - and I also hope you enjoyed the nice vs kind post - and that it gave you something to think about (like it did with me!) :)
DeleteCongratulations on making the decision to retire Leanne. It has to be the right time for it and you seem to have reached that time, so well done you for recognising it. I hope your health issues get resolved soon and you can enjoy this special time. You will obviously be missed by your colleagues and made an impression! I agree with Donna's statement about retiring to something rather than retiring from something. Take care x
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I loved Donna's "from and to" comment as well. I feel much more in control and settled this time - just a sense of it being right for me to leave - rather than doing it to save my sanity. It was my first non-working day today and I must say that I absolutely loved the sleep-in and the coffee date that filled my day instead :)
DeleteThat quote completely resonates with me. It also relates to your deep thinking on inner happiness.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you feel fully ready to retire and saying goodbye from your job went well.
Hi Astrid - I'm loving the quotes about 'light and lightness' that I've discovered this year. I think it's such an undervalued concept. I'm finding that the more I lighten my load, the lighter my heart and mind feel too - retiring was another element in the process.
DeleteCongratulations on your re-retirement, Leanne! I'm glad they celebrated you in a way that you missed out on the first time around.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - it was such a great feeling to leave on my own terms this time - and to not do it to save my sanity. I love that they showed their appreciation and there was none of the messiness that the old job held. It's still a really good feeling to be free of the workforce again - I think I'm ready this time....
DeleteMy second retirement, on my terms, was much better too. I did that aged 60. But still worked here and there part time (again!) in education until 65 and then D O N E. The icing on the cake of retirement from 39 years in NSW education was when the now boss of NSW Dept of Ed arranged a special farewell and appreciation morning tea in Dec 2018. Nothing like finishing well! I think you sound far more ready this time to potter and please yourself at home and readying yourself for the next round with getting your health sorted. Thank you for sharing a post from your blog on this week’s Wednesday’s Words and Pics Link Up. I hope to see you next week too. Take care, Denyse.
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I think sometimes we need a do-over to feel a sense of completion. This time it felt right, not reactionary. I loved that I walked out with a full heart (and full arms!) to begin retirement again with the right frame of mind. And yes, being free to focus on my health and the things that are happening at home is such a joy.
DeleteCongratulations on retiring and getting the send off you deserved. I loved Eurovision. My insta is all of Finland doing Cha cha cha,....hilarious. I loved Croatia tho. That was epic. Voyager is all over my feed now too. Good for them! #WWandP
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia - nice to find another Eurovision fan - there are SO many people who have no idea what it is - or what the appeal is. I miss the truly whacky stuff from bygone years, but then something like the cha cha cha pops up and I gives me a laugh. I also loved how Voyager had the vibe right.
DeleteLeanne,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your retirement!! I know the last one was not on your terms so I can only imagine how much better this one will be now that this one is on your terms... I have to go and read your post of being nice or kind...Interesting...Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you will again as I just posted about my 50 pound weight loss in a year and how I am shining this year so far...
Hugs,
Deb
Hi Deb - I'll definitely be popping over to your blog - what a HUGE achievement! And yes, I feel like I'm lighter after leaving the job - and happy.....instead of last time when I was stressed, drained and distraught - so different!
DeleteBeautiful post, Leanne. Congratulations on your full retirement. It takes a while to be ready for it. Moving to Prescott two years ago, finally did it for me. Away from all the activities I knew (except blogging) I had nothing else but to be retired - at least for a while. Soon you will be so busy you wonder how you ever found time to work! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marsha - I really believe that it's good to retire gradually - to go from full-time to nothing, or to leave suddenly and unexpectedly, makes the adjustment process so much harder. Going back to a small job and then leaving when I was ready - and on good terms was such a joy. I'm loving that new opportunities still lie ahead - but outside the workforce for me now.
DeleteHi Leanne, Congratulations on your retirement! I look forward to reading your full post on it. Your send-off looks lovely. I hope your parathyroid issues will be resolved soon. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks so much. I feel so much more settled this time around. I feel like it was a natural progression instead of a leap off a cliff to save myself. I'm also glad to have time to recover from my surgery without the pressure to return (like I had with my hip). Recovery is easier when its gentle and gradual.
DeleteWhat an amazing month, indeed! I especially enjoyed seeing your collages! My mom, her sister, and their father always made collages so they really speak to me in terms of a positive, colorful creative outlet! I've recently started adding more collages into one of my journals...similar to "junk journaling" except that everything I add in has a purpose, it's not just for an aesthetic...if that makes sense :-) Anyhow, hope your June is off to a magnificent start and your weekend is lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa - thanks so much for your lovely compliment about my collaging - I'm so glad it reminded you of happy family memories - and that you get to do a little bit of it in your jounalling. I love it for how forgiving it is - you can play around with it before deciding on an end result - and it doesn't require drawing skills!
DeleteHi Leanne, How you are treated when you leave a place of employment says a great deal about them and you, as you well know. Lovely gifts, and the colour of the roses…wow!
ReplyDeleteYour notes about ‘being nice’ and ‘being kind’ have given me food for thought. My latest phrase to my husband almost each day is “…I am content and I am happy…” This has been a calm year for us filled with simple pleasures and joy. I am almost afraid to talk about it, since I don’t want to jinx anything. You remind me to get up to speed on Eurovision, likely via Youtube. Love the Kahlil Gibran quote! Thank you for sharing, Leanne.xx💕
Hi Erica - thanks so much for popping in and having a read. I really miss your blogging and keeping in touch through being able to comment. I'm also very pleased for you that this year has proved to be calmer and more settled than last year was. When I see your family pics on Facebook I can see the joy and contentment (especially in the anniversary one - which says a lot about your marriage!) xx
DeleteCongratulations on your retirement! Glad this time it was on your terms, and I hope you find lots of wonderful new adventures in this chapter of your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet - it feels right and it feels good. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm going to take it slowly - not rush into filling my days with too many activities....just simple, slow, and steady.
DeleteI enjoyed your update Leanne. Good for you on the retirement front! May it go well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - I'm already enjoying not getting up at the crack of dawn to go to work - I'm not a 'cold dark morning' kind of gal, so it's lovely doing mornings my way again.
DeleteI'm glad you're taking a decision to give yourself the time and space to rest and heal. Beautiful collages, as usual.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well, Leanne. May June bring healing.
Thanks for your lovely words, and I can already feel myself relaxing more. I'm looking forward to my op at the beginning of July - and then I think life will feel more centred and on track. I feel like there's a few things it's affecting and hopefully it will all clear up after the surgery - fingers crossed!
DeleteCongratulations on your full retirement. I'm eligible in May. I thought I might work a few more years but not sure I want to. I'll request an annuity quote in December & see where it takes me. Karen
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - I always thought I'd work until retirement around 65 - 67, but life had other ideas. I'm so grateful for these extra years of being free to do what I want on my own schedule and not be tied down to 'working for the man'. It's been an unsought blessing and one I have no regrets about.
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