What I’ve learned

So I turn 25 in about a week, and it feels like it was so recently my 24th birthday. Where did this year go?  I don’t feel that I really accomplished as much as I did in previous years, but I did get to spend a LOT of time with the hounds and the family, which is precious. And, I had a lot more time to think, and reflect, on well, just about everything.I decided to compile here, a list of 25 lessons I’ve learned, over the years, in all areas of life, from family, to travel, to health, to just general… funny things, serious things… I’m not sure what you’ll make of it all, but maybe some will resonate with you. Most are not something you learn in a day, more like a life-long skill you need to practice over and over, and then fine-tune. And there is still so much to learn, for me, and for all of us.

So, in no particular order:

Don’t wait till tomorrow (or some other arbitrary date, like Jan 1st) to make changes. Start today. I used to put off doing anything differently until I was ‘ready’ but the truth is, you never will be. Best to just make the change, and take it from there.

There are so many things we wish we could go back and do differently, but we didn’t know then what we know now. So basically, hindsight is 50/50 and all that. I’ve spent so much time wishing I’d done things differently, but that really is the biggest waste of time EVER.

Say yes more. The biggest adventures and the moments that will define you, they won’t happen in your comfort zone. If you say yes instead of no, you never know what might happen.

You can’t put a numerical value on everything. I like order, and things to add up neatly. But hey, life is not a mathematical equation, and there will always be things you can’t explain, and can’t quantify. Which is okay.

Let yourself heal. My infamous ankle injury taught me this the very hard way. I paid for years of not resting and allowing myself to heal, by not being able to walk normally for over a year, and am only now starting to try to run again (two and a half years later).

You can’t capture everything on camera. In these social media heavy days, it is important to remember when to just live, and remember, instead of trying to photograph everything. You’ll miss out on so much otherwise.

Money can buy you a lot, but not the most important things. Like dogs that live forever, for example.

Eat what works for you, not what you are told you should. I’ve struggled with this for years, and have only now accepted that what I eat might be different to others, and that is absolutely fine.

You are way more resilient than you think, and will be able to handle difficult things that come your way. I have managed on my own, with crazy long hours and non-working limbs, and have been able to do things I would never have thought possible. You will be able to, if you have to.

There is no point imagining all the things that could go wrong. I do this a lot too. But like I said in the previous point, just accept that things will and you will be able to deal with them when (and if) they happen. Which leads me onto my next point-

About 93% of the things you worry about never happen. Really! So why waste so much time on them?

A day spent working with kids is never a waste. I used to despair about some days teaching, but really, you learn something and teach a little every day, and for some kid, that bad day for you might have been a day when they learned something they will always remember.

Don’t get bogged down by the negativity. It really is all around. You are constantly bombarded by bad and sad news, on social media, news websites, the TV, radio… While it is important to stay up to date with current events, don’t let it take over. Know when to turn of the TV, close the website, put down your phone.

If no one wants to do something with you, do it alone. I have travelled on my own a lot, for example, to places I wanted to go, done things I wanted to do, and had a great time. Don’t wait for someone when you can do them yourself.

Spend some of your life with dogs. This is arguably the most important lesson here of all.

Sleep is not just for the weak. I need a proper night’s sleep, and so many of us do but just don’t make it a priority. I’ve found that playing sleep music on my phone (you can find lots on Youtube) really helps, as silly as it sounds.

The best climate has only one season- hot and hot. Open to debate, I know, but for me at least, I’m happiest in places that are warm all year round.

I’m lucky to have a family I can rely on. We all drive each other crazy, but I’m grateful to have you.

Be honest about your weaknesses. And then, work on them. The first step is acknowledging them, the second is starting to make a change.

It doesn’t always pay off to do things well ahead of time. Not sure how many others do, anyway, but this has often backfired on me. It’s probably best to work at your own pace, whatever that is for you.

Being out in nature really does help clear the head. It has never not made me feel a bit better.

Anger is the biggest waste of energy. It doesn’t help or solve anything, and you just feel so spent after an angry outburst. Better use that energy somewhere else, instead.

Travel is irreplaceable. This year of being grounded really made that clear; never before have I been more grateful for all the amazing experiences I have had abroad, from living in different places to just visiting for a day. You learn so much, about life, people and yourself.

The line you are waiting in will always be the slowest. Which still doesn’t stop me changing queues a million times. I clearly have not learned this one yet.

Saying goodbye never gets easier. I always thought it would, as I got older, and I’ve had a lot of practice. But even if I don’t show it, it still hurts. I do try hard not to get too attached to stuff, anymore, but for those we love, I think it will always be hard.

What do you think? Any similarities? Thank you for reading it all, or some, if you did.

I’ll be back with Bru Diaries next month xxxx