I sit here on the eve of my 46th birthday, now isolating in a room in our house, having tested positive for covid unexpectedly today. I've got a great view from the window of the beautiful sunset tonight as I sit at my laptop typing this. I share the photo below :)
I now have the time to write this blog. I've wanted to get done before tomorrow so I could include it in the email campaign that is going out in the morning, along with my birthday promo which I am really excited about!
Life has been such a stretch and grow in the last hundred years haha... but really, I've worked on doing a deeper work of consciousness in myself and in my life the last few years, seeking for answers and more substance, plus I felt led to do it. I told myself there must be more to life than the framework I am seeing around me. Success is to me just the icing on the cake outside of a deeper purpose. I've decided that dedicating your life to making a difference in something bigger than yourself and serving others brings a deeper sense of satisfaction and purpose. Sounds deep? Maybe this is something many go through as they go through life, coming in what feels like waves. Perhaps not just when you age? Signs of aging begins to be more evident in our skin and in our bodies and we are reminded how temporary or changeable life can be. We realize how fast time has flown us by and it can begin a time of reflection and evaluation on what we've done, where we want to go and asking ourselves are we getting there? So now that I am going over 45 what can I share with you that may help or encourage someone else? I thought I would list some of the nuggets of wisdom I've gathered for myself from my experiences and from others I've learned from along the way. In order for us to feel stable and grounded, happy, peaceful and fulfilled as we grow older, we need to deposit some seeds within us that are going to flourish and bloom in fruit that will carry us through. The old stuff won't work for us anymore as we are in a new chapter in our lives, which is evident of the deeper meaning we are seeking. Has this resonated with you? I hope the below thoughts resonate with you and inspire you too. I'd love it if you shared some of your reflections and learnings from the last few years.
You still have time - it may not feel like it, but each day is the opportunity to restart afresh, if you want to.
As you get older there may be a tendency to become close minded and set in our ways, so it's important to work on this, so we don't become stagnant in our growth.
Growing older doesn't mean we become stagnant. Growing older is an ever unfolding journey of discovery and growth and age is just on the outside, that's why inside your soul/spirit still feels as young as ever!
You're no longer afraid of people's judgements because you recognize more now that their opinion does not matter.
Pay attention to the people who have truly been there for you, and done the journey with you and are still there. They are your people and they deserve your time and love.
Deal with things now - if certain situations that keep coming up in life keep presenting themselves, then it's a sign for you to deal with that now, so you don't go round the mountain again. If it isn't clear what it is, then ask until it becomes clear. Those situation are our messengers and teachers.
Second chances do come around - take them, and if you are blessed with three or four more chances, they are signs of grace. Take them and never look back.
You come to a place of acceptance about certain things in life and that acceptance either brings you a deeper sense of peace or a place from which change can come. Both are good!
You decide that trying to please everyone is too tiring a job and actually begin to decide pleasing yourself for a change!
You come to a place where you appreciate a smaller circle of meaningful friends and connections and that is enough.
Being real and authentic is what others are craving for, not another thing that will remind them they are not enough. When they taste it or come across it, they light up and recognize it! You create the environment or life you want. If you can't see it, create it!
You realize that you are the most important person in your life to validate yourself and believe in yourself and that the love for yourself does exist somewhere deep inside, it just takes you to decide to fight for it and to give it the space and work it needs.
You decide that life is too short for too much drama and begin to simplify your life.
You decide that you are enough as you are and that it's time to love yourself, your quirks your imperfections, your body and you allow yourself to laugh more.
You decide it's time to appreciate yourself and recognize how you have been there for you all your life and you wouldn't have survived it all if you had given up!
You decide that the only person that needs to approve you is you!
You decide that those committed to understanding you, will and there is no point trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.
What you are doing is more than enough. We always second guess ourselves and are so hard on ourselves as women and our standards and expectations can be incredibly high. I remind myself what I want to model for my daughters. I want them to put their self-care, mental health and well-being first. So I am aware I need to model this for them. I don't want them to see an overworked, tired mum who always puts herself last. Don't forget, that you are more than enough and you are doing the best with what you have and that is enough.
Thanks for taking time to read my blog post. My intention is always to support, inspire and encourage you the reader. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest :)
Love Cath xoxo