50 THOUGHTS on TURNING 50

In last month’s blog, I dared to suggest that I would talk about turning FIFTY. Funny how you can be so motivated about a writing piece one day and wholly daunted by it days later.

I thought I had worked it all out and it would sing of inspirations and insights and read like a ‘live love laugh’ poster paraded in every shop window or embossed in red onto ceramic jugs, the aqua coloured dove of peace hovering near the spout.

Turns out I have to be more honest and it’s much harder than faking it, not so? It’s taking stock of a whole lot of time and realizing that more has gone before than lies ahead. The truth? I’m really okay with that. But I promised so… deep breath, here goes…

THINGS I PLAN TO DO IN MY YEAR OF TURNING 50

1. Publish my second book and start the next
2. Run the Two Oceans Half- Marathon
3. Cruise with Dave Koz (American jazz saxophonist) down the Med
4. Prioritize my annual/event photo books
5. Practise more mindfulness (hahaha)

THINGS I’M COMING TO TERMS WITH NOT BEING

6. Really interested in fashion – despite the odd flirt with “Off the Rails” fashionistas
7. All things to all people
8. The most efficient and organized keeper of house: chaos sometimes wins the day
9. A serious wannabe master chef though making great food is rewarding
10. Likely to be a contender for the next venture into Space

THINGS I’M NOT coming to terms with as easily

11.The fact that sometimes my body aches when I least expect it to

12. That my children are growing up faster than I anticipated

13. That I cannot do it all 100%

14. That there are places in the world that I’m unlikely to ever see

15.That colouring the grey is desirable (not necessary)but irritating

THINGS I FIND ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL

16.Reading a book and wondering how the author came to be inside my head

17.Watching babies and young children

18.Feeling waves wash over my feet when walking on a beach

19.Harmonious and happy family time

20.Seeing the sun rise

THINGS I DON”T

21.Looking for my reading glasses

22.Snobs

23.The incessant feeling that time is going too fast

24.Insanely loud music in stores when clothes shopping with teenagers

25.Time wasted on social media (or anything else for that matter)

THINGS THAT ARE UNLIKELY TO CHANGE

26.Preferring jeans and takkies to dresses and heels

27.That applying mascara or make up of any sort happens mostly in my car

28.Never feeling satisfied that I have achieved enough

29.Driving over dog pooh on the drive way occasionally

30.The fact that I have now have wrinkles

THINGS I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR

31. A big beautiful family and a husband whose cup is always half full not half empty

32. My health

33. The fact that both my parents are still alive and well

34. My education

35. That I happen to live in Cape Town

THINGS THAT I FEEL ARE USEFUL TO KNOW NOW

36. That things like fancy cars, jewelry, don’t add to my happiness at all.

37. Comfortable clothes make me feel more confident

38. Some friendships are likely to change over the years

39. The happiest I will ever be is kind of about now

40. That I am peaceful in my own company

THINGS THAT I WOULD LOVE BUT ARE UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN

41. That I will one day write a bestseller

42. To complete a PhD

43. Have a weekend beach house filled with books and oversized couches

44. A well- trained boxer ( I have a very untrained boxer)

45. Better administrative skills

THINGS I WISH TO DO MORE OF

46. Read and read and read about learn more about things and people and places

47. Study philosophy, excerpts of history and learn about authors and the art of writing

48. Be outdoors and in the moment

49. Hug my children, my hubby

50. Peaceful days on this beautiful planet

Shoo…that was BIG. And HARD. You do it. It will make you THINK.

And read this …