Tuesday 22 November 2016

I did something spontaneous...and didn't combust!

It’s been a while since my last post - who knew retirement could be so relentlessly busy! The main reason is because I lost my blogging space while we redecorated the kitchen. Anyhow…

I'm a worry gut...
Anyone who knows me appreciates that I am probably the world's least spontaneous person. The closest I come is an impulse purchase of a cuddly jumper if I am out in cold weather. That said, I usually get home and decide to return it because I'm not cold any more!

I have a need to plan, making sure I have dotted ‘i’s and crossed 't’s.  This affords me many opportunities to worry, stress and wish I wasn't doing the thing that I planned in the first place. This mindset applies equally to holidays, big purchases or, in that former life of mine, lesson ideas.

Last Monday evening I had a message from a friend asking if I wanted her two spare tickets for the ATP Tennis Finals the following Wednesday. Now during the summer I had fleetingly thought that I would love to go to the ATP Finals, but didn't do anything about it. Now, faced with this unexpected opportunity, I immediately replied... ‘Sorry, a bit too short notice for me.’ What my friend said next kept me awake half that night.

Food for thought!

I tossed and turned worrying that I would be missing out, and okay, I could go next year, but what if I died in the mean time (I know…that’s how I roll!) I was still awake at 4am, stressing about the fact that my need to plan ahead was preventing me from doing something that I would undoubtedly love - what planning did it need? Go, enjoy, return! 

Having given myself a severe talking to, when I woke up, I immediately messaged my friend asking if she still had the tickets. One brief encounter at Asda later, I had the tickets in my hot little hand, and the strangest thing happened. I wasn't stressed or worried, I was actually excited and looking forward to seeing a professional tennis match for the first time in my life.

Apparently so spontaneous, no time to shave!
So we went off on our great adventure, and had a brilliant day - first tennis match and it was Andy Murray no less. 

Let's go Andy, let's go!

The atmosphere was fab and I was so excited I spent an inordinate amount of money on a T shirt - just to prove I was there! 

Bragging rights t-shirt!

But the best thing was that feeling of disbelief that we were in the O2, watching something amazing when, two days earlier, we had no idea we would be there. And I proved to myself that I can be spontaneous and that, if you’re going to worry, you may as well worry about doing something rather than worry about not doing something and missing out. 


For most people, this wouldn't have been a big thing, but for me it has been huge. Watch out world - I might be coming for you!! 

Sunday 6 November 2016

Wishing I was Danish!

Time for candles and relaxation!
I underestimated November. It has been so ridiculously mild and sunny that I quite forgot that it can be cold. I went to the football yesterday totally underprepared - no hat, gloves, thermal socks or warm coat - and it was freeeeezing. And wet. And miserable. This, combined with my team’s unfailing ability to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory, meant that I spent the majority of the second half feeling thoroughly peed off and wishing I was Danish!

Last autumn I shared an article on facebook, saying that I at last knew what I would be doing in my retirement. You can read that  article here: How to banish the winter blues – Danish style 
Since then hygge has become very trendy - lots of shops are embracing all that is hygge, and selling the accoutrements required for a hygge lifestyle. 

Blogging, hygge style!
For those of you that don’t know, ‘hygge’ (pronounced ‘hyoogah’ apparently) is a Danish concept and way of life that embraces all that is cosy, comforting and relaxed. Rumour has it that this has helped the Danes become one of the happiest nations on the planet, although their vast consumption of anti-depressants may also be a factor!
Whatever the rationale, the idea of hygge really appeals to me. It is about appreciating the small things - comfy blankets, daft films, hot chocolate and good company - but more importantly about valuing these things as something worth doing, not an indulgence when you really should be doing something perceived as more ‘useful’. My friend over at The Salted Tail recently wrote about making time to be kind to herself, and this is at the heart of hygge. It’s about snuggling up and reading a book, or enjoying a coffee with a friend, but more importantly about seeing that as the activity in itself - not about thinking, ‘This is nice, but I really should be getting on’, and feeling lazy or non-productive.

The Salted Tail: being kind to herself...
This has been an unsettling year, for me, personally, but also for lots of others - Brexit, whatever your feelings about it, has certainly made us all wonder about what is coming next, and the upcoming US election could yet add another scary layer to that uncertainty. 

Comfort food for changing times
So maybe its time to take a leaf out of the Danes book. Develop an appreciation of all that is cosy. Spend time with our friends and families and value every second. Slow down and make tea in a teapot, or cook comfort food to relish and enjoy. Then do what I intend to do this afternoon - snuggle under a blanket and watch some ludicrous film that will do nothing but entertain. 

Hygge (which will be forever ‘higgle’ thanks to Apple’s ridiculous self correcting software) - embrace and enjoy!