A Life in A Day

Thankfully the day started with the sky being clear and the sun being bright.  Its always a challenging time of year with the long dark nights and the temperamental weather. Why this Monday in particular is identified as one of the most difficult I do not know, but like many people I find this time of year a challenge to keep positive and optimistic.

Family relationships are fractious and irritable and money is tight; as however much you focus on a paired back and responsible festive season, the bills flow in and a whole new year is stretching out in front of you..

So my morning started with a 6am cup of tea, listening and watching the many birds in my garden feast on the range of seeds I have tempted them in with.  Such tiny bundles of busyness and action always bring me joy and galvanise my start to the day.  I spend as long as possible avoiding the need to actually get dressed and start my day, I get a perverse pleasure in moaning about it.

I walk my two rescue dogs first thing and litter pick on my route.  I do this without judgement just because I can and I care about where I live. I know that if I can make any positive little contribution in the world it has to be tangible and easy to achieve. This I can do – its not rigorous or righteous simply picking a few plastic bottles and cans up makes me feel so much better though – try it!

Onto work and focusing on what to do and how to do it. I have given myself permission to spend a year exploring and experimenting options. I saved up enough money to be able to pay my mortgage and bills for a year without stress and the challenge is to have a year doing things differently. My weeks since starting this adventure have been filled with volunteering on a farm, supporting four elderly parents whom have complex health issues and are failing to thrive along with working on developing my skills and experience through additional training and forums.  Then I get a notification that a group of friends are going to swim at lunchtime in the river at Harkstead – Count me in!

As I stand on the beach wondering what I was thinking, this group of women discuss all the same challenges that are going on in my life. Its such a relief to realise that in our 50’s women have a huge set of complex care issues, teenage children to older, frail parents, partners with conflicting viewpoints to career challenges. It’s tough for everyone but sharing it, laughing about it whilst walking into freezing water for 3 very LONG minutes seems to be an effective tonic.  Quick change on the beach, boobs out to all to get dry, dressed and back to it – thank the lord not many people are braving the beach in the cold.  It’s a beautiful place and we all stop for a moment to notice where we are and the amazing view. Then back in the car to get back to work – its amazing what can be achieved in a lunch hour.

The afternoon was a focus in front of a screen, which culminated in a much appreciated interruption by a cuppa with a friend.  Back out into the darkness with the dogs for a final outdoor moment before lighting the fire and giving up for the evening.  An easy supper of comfort food before retiring to stream a series on tv and then bed. 

Last thing to do is reflect on the things that brought me joy during the day – it is always the little things, watching the birds first thing, making a tiny difference by picking up litter and laughing with friends while freezing my tits off – I hope you can find joy in the little things too.

*pictures show Harkstead beach