LOOKING BACK AT A SIMPLY LOVELY SUMMER

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LOOKING BACK AT THE SUMMER THAT'S BEEN

Summer here in Western Australia comprises December, January, and February. It's full of hot, dry days that are so much easier to navigate now that I'm happily retired. I really enjoy being able to choose when to be out in the heat, and when to be indoors in the cool.

It's also been three months of Christmas, family, dabbling, and generally enjoying life on my own terms - living with equanimity and joy. I'm sharing a few of the highlights today and I hope you'll enjoy them too.....
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I WAS SURPRISED BY THE ADVICE I'D GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF

When I look back at the last few decades I've realized that we need to experience life in all its fullness - we can't skip the tough parts.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD I GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF?

Mika from Musings by Mika suggested that it would be interesting to read a post on the advice I'd give my younger self now I know all the ups and downs life has brought my way over the years. I took a look back over my shoulder at the last few decades and all that I've been through to get where I am, mulled it over for a while, and had a surprising revelation.

This is what came to mind, and this is what I'd tell my younger self (that's me above on my last day of high school - not quite 17 years old) if I had the chance...

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GENEROSITY - THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

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SCARCITY VERSUS GENEROSITY

I've mentioned before that I've struggled my whole adult life with frugality and having a scarcity mindset. The need to squirrel away whatever income we had to pay the bills and to make ends meet was very important for the first few decades of life. Despite the need to save,  there were still worthy causes to support - the church, overseas orphans, or local charities, and it felt good to be able to contribute where we could.

Now all that frugality has paid off, and we're in a comfortable, debt free 3rd third of life.....but it's been a battle to shed that scarcity fear and to live larger. The key for me has been to learn to be more generous with myself and with others.....

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I'M NOW IN THE 3RD THIRD OF LIFE

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THE 3RD THIRD OF LIFE

Recently I came across a Facebook post that mentioned the 3rd third of life, and I realized that I had just entered this new phase. The concept assumes that we're going to live to around 90 - which is about as far as I see myself getting to (if I'm lucky), so when I hit 60 it meant that I entered this final third of my life. It felt a little daunting, but also raised some interesting thoughts about what the previous two thirds of my life had taught me, and where this last third is leading.....
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EXPECTATIONS NOT MET? OR HOPES THWARTED?

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LIFE ISN'T ALWAYS A BOWL OF CHERRIES

At the beginning of last year I wrote a post about my struggles with an area of my life that had been so important to me for decades, and had devolved into disappointment after disappointment. I had reached the end of my tether, and decided to step back and wait for changes that were in the wind to occur. 

Six months later I returned to see if things were on the upward ascent, and now, a further six months down the track, I  find myself almost back where I was last January.....
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THE GIFTS OF MIDLIFE

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IT BEGAN WITH IMPERFECTION

Brene Brown wrote a fantastic book called "The Gifts Of Imperfection" that was an eye-opener for me, and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons it taught me. I've learnt that it's okay not to be perfect, that I can be my authentic self, allow myself to be vulnerable, and to embrace this wonderful life I've grown into. 

Along with the gifts of imperfection, I've realized that there have also been several other gifts that Midlife has bestowed upon me, and I thought I'd share a few of them here on the blog today....
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CHOOSING MY WORD OF THE YEAR - EQUANIMITY

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CHOOSING A NEW WORD OF THE YEAR

I've chosen a Word of the Year every January since 2015. At first it was easy and words just popped up that were simple and a part of the process of redefining myself into Midlife (Release, Embrace, Enough). As time has gone on, I've found that the words have become more complex and so has the desire behind choosing them (Rise,  Symphony, Cultivate.)

In the lead up to this year's Word I knew what I wanted to convey, but couldn't quite find the right word to encompass the concept....
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WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE YEAR AHEAD

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MY CHRISTMAS WISHES

I can't believe it's Christmas in a week's time! Where has the year gone?! That being said, it's been a wonderful year for me. I feel like I got my "groove back" and each month has just made me appreciate Midlife even more.

I came across a quote that summed up my #WOTY (Live Lightly) and it's what I wish for myself and for everyone who pops in here for a visit....

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LOOKING BACK AT A YEAR OF LIVING LIFE LIGHTLY

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WHY DID I CHOOSE TO LIVE LIGHTLY?

If you've been following along with my Word(s) of the Year for 2023 you'll know I chose "Live Lightly" to guide me through the last several months. I'd actually decided on a different #WOTY and then changed my mind at the last minute on my way home from a mini-vacation.

I'd realized that I was weary from all that had been happening in the previous few years, and I felt the need to be kinder to myself. Today I'm looking back at that choice and how it's played out...

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FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, AND FRACQUAINTANCES IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE

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FRIENDSHIPS AND OTHER INTERACTIONS

Recently I was thinking about my friendships and how things have changed over time. I used to have many, many friends - close friends, work friends, church friends, mum friends, etc. Looking back at those friendships, and at the friendships I have now, I've realized that there are three categories of "friends".....

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