Twelve Things —
What a whole year of just for me actually looked like
Hey friend!
Tomorrow I turn 56.
I have to admit — I like the sound of 55 better than 56. Fifty-five has been one of my favorite years I’ve ever spent on this earth.
Last year, when I turned 55, I made myself a promise. 365 days of one thing just for me, just for fun. I was even going to put it on Instagram. Three months in I dropped that part because it became a real pain in the butt. But the actual doing of it? Every single day for a year. Done.
Here’s some of what that looked like.
I made peach simple syrup. I added more herbs to my garden boxes. I made chocolate chip cookies just because I could — ate half and froze half to save for later. I rediscovered audiobooks and remembered why I loved them in the first place. I planned a two week trip to Italy for Josh and me that is an absolute dream come true and I cannot wait. October cannot get here fast enough.
And I played hide and seek with Nugget and Blue. One day it took them five or six minutes to find me. Five or six minutes, y’all. World record. We all loved every second of it.
And then there was the book.
When my book launched in April, I almost didn’t throw myself a party. I thought — oh that’s overkill, that’s too much, who does that. Then the week before the launch I said the heck with it. I’m throwing myself a party.
And y’all. All four kids came home — including my daughter-in-law. They gave speeches. They brought gifts. My bonus kids — my kiddos’ besties — showed up with their kiddos in tow. My yoga group. Old friends. New friends. People I totally didn’t even expect. The outpouring of kindness blew me away.
And then I did something that has never been one of my strong suits. I let them pour kindness and love all over me.
Kinda uncomfy and absolutely delicious at the same time. Learning to receive — the help, the love, the celebration — without deflecting it. That’s a new skill for me.
55 taught me a lot. Here are some of them.
How to settle into myself.
That sourdough bread, while delicious, is too much of a pain in the neck to make.
That plain homemade bread fresh from the oven is one of the best foods on the planet.
That I only make my own bread, soft pretzels, rolls, cinnamon rolls — they’re just better. (Bread was apparently a big focus this year. LOL.)
How to give grace and keep healthy boundaries at the same time.
To trust my intuition. It is never wrong.
That I never want to play mahjong. It just sounds like too much.
That sleeping with a sleep mask really is better.
That stepping out of my comfort zone has led me to some of the most amazing new friends.
That I lost my winning streak in gin to Josh.
To accept grace as much as I give it.
That water grounds me. It is part of my soul.
So tomorrow I turn 56. Bring it on.
xx-Heather