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Original poster

What you've learnt in 2023

82 replies

countrytweed · 06/12/2023 11:25

It's that time of year we all become a bit reflective... and it got me thinking about things I've learnt this year (many though podcasts which I absolutely love). Thought it might be fun to hear other people's lessons/revelations that might be useful for others 😊 Here are mine...

  1. Compound interest (I know I'm late to this one) and the fact you don't have to be rich to invest. Man I wish it was taught in school. Have now started investing through Vanguard.
  2. 42 is by no means too early to be perimenopausal. Also having read a lot about menopause (cheers Davina), you should research and ask for the HRT that's best for you, if you decide that's the route you want to go down... don't just accept the bog standard your GP offers you.
  3. Eat and exercise according to where you are in your cycle, not the same all month (listen to Dr Mindy Pelz).
  4. After 40 especially, more protein + weight training = longevity.
  5. The power of "Let them" (listen to Mel Robbins) - you can't change/heal/fix others, don't waste energy on trying, just let them be.
  6. Reading is the only way to live multiple lives.
  7. Getting a dog is the key to happiness.

Would love to hear yours (doesn't have to be as long!)

OP posts:
FortheBeautyoftheEarth · 07/12/2023 17:08

That I can conceive 🥳 discovered that I had diminished ovarian reserve, increased my daily intake of coq10 in line with 'It starts with the Egg' (book) and I do attribute it to this change. Game-changer.

Franticbutterfly · 07/12/2023 19:30

countrytweed · 07/12/2023 17:03

@Franticbutterfly Congrats on a 60lb loss, that's very impressive! What worked for you, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks. Fasting and low carb did it. I followed the ideas of people like Jason Fung and Mindy Pelz. Also, didn't really eat any upfs.

Octopus45 · 07/12/2023 19:52

That a health scare can come at any time. Currently going through breast cancer treatment. I used to think I'd have the time to focus on health when the kids have left home, not any more.

That I'm stronger than I think, see above.

That you don't need to be a career woman/earn loads to be valid. Previously I have beaten myself up for not earning loads even though I have a degree. A close family friend died a couple of months ago and despite not working for many years has left an amazing legacy with all the things she has been involved with and the amount she has given over the years.

The importance of family and how amazing it is to reconnect with family members and old friends, although I was starting to realise this towards the end of last year.

That there is no such thing as a lull year, which is what I was hoping for in 2023.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Menopause Women's health
Sparehair · 07/12/2023 19:56

Honestly, a huge amount about the global wheat market .... masters thesis. Maybe I'll do an AMA 😂

Octopus45 · 07/12/2023 19:59

Meant to say about about time to focus on health, what I meant was I need to focus on health now, I wasn't trying to imply that I wasn't going to be around when my kids leave home, I'm hoping to be as my prognosis is very good.

Original poster
countrytweed · 07/12/2023 20:30

Huge congrats @FortheBeautyoftheEarth ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
countrytweed · 07/12/2023 20:32

@Octopus45 You sound incredibly strong... all the best for the coming year x

OP posts:
Octopus45 · 07/12/2023 20:40

Thanks @countrytweed and to you . Will definitely be investigating investing and compound interest this year

underneaththeash · 07/12/2023 21:09
  1. Assume everyone is completely incompetent and you have to double check everything yourself.
  2. The cheapest air fares are not always as soon as the tickets come out.
  3. Always ask the scleral shell tech to paint a shade lighter than he thinks the colour is.
  4. I must do pilates at least once a week or my back will go.
  5. My MIL will not come and sit down for dinner when called, even when given lots of notice and we simply need to start without her.
Barbarianmumsy · 07/12/2023 21:56

@FizzyStream can you recommend any nail wraps please

Original poster
countrytweed · 07/12/2023 22:46

@underneaththeash Your final one made me smile 😊

OP posts:
Grapefruitstars · 07/12/2023 23:23

That having just 1 child is fine.

keffie12 · 07/12/2023 23:51

I've certainly learnt who's there for me through thick and thin.

It's the old adage of you finding out who your real friends are when the going gets tough.

I needed to find out too that a few in my social circle needed to go. I'm still civil when I see them. That's it.
People I didn't expect to be there for me have been rocks.

I had a major C PTSD trauma breakdown at the beginning of the year.

Long time coming. We all have
Menza IQ with hindsight.

For some years, I've managed to manage my mental health more than it manages me. This year, a series of events led me to a biggie, the tweaking of lifelong meds, and more therapy re childhood.

It's been a good year in many ways, though, too. An old friend has come back into my life.

I've an amazing family, and grandchildren got to go travelling again this year. I've another grandchild due in 2 weeks.

Keep learning to look for the good in everything. Take one day at a time.

Oh, and I now know what my late mom meant when she used to say, "Youth is wasted on the young"

I used to roll my eyes when she said it. She was right.

Happy Christmas, everyone, and all the best for 2024

Notthatcatagain · 08/12/2023 00:16

That if you live in a Victorian house, you need to take care of it and if you turn the heating down to minimum, you will soon have damp and black mould as well as being cold and miserable. That old people are much like old houses and have higher needs than they did 20 years ago

Hereforthebunfights · 08/12/2023 00:30

That school mums actually are a bunch of cliquey bitches who will gossip about, and shun you if they percieve you to be the weird mum with a weird kid.

Peckahminn11 · 08/12/2023 01:05

I've learnt to appreciate the people in my life, even if they can be a pain in the arse

Gowlett · 08/12/2023 01:08

Cake makes me fat. Wish I’d known… 😂

foxlover47 · 08/12/2023 01:17

That my dogs really are the best medicine for my panic attacks and rubbish mental health and after trying online dating that I really am happier being alone , even if just for now I have found a contentment in knowing I am good enough and won't be getting told any different for the foreseeable

Have a lovely Christmas everyone 🎄

CostedStrikeRate · 08/12/2023 02:52

I need to play to my strengths at work.

I need to be extremely discerning about who I spend time with.

It's OK for me to return to navigating through life using emotion.

Nynaeva · 08/12/2023 02:57
  1. My family is a giant chocolate teapot and it's time I divorced the lot of them apart from younger nephews and niece.
  1. My friends are amazing and worth double their weight in gold.
  1. How to finally make a decent batter and my own decent sweet and sour sauce that means takeaway is now no longer necessary.
  1. Why Air fryers are the best.
  1. The joy of streaming.
HappyasLarrynot · 08/12/2023 03:54
  1. That my (ex?) husband is a lying piece of 💩
  2. That my PIL’s are lovely (god knows how they produced 1)
  3. That my kids and friends are wonderful
Kwackerly · 08/12/2023 04:04

Love is never wasted.

You can still find joy even when things are really awful - and joke about the awful bits because life is short.

Being human isn't a weakness, being honest gives you back your power.

I am not my emotions.

Catsmere · 08/12/2023 05:08

That elderly, long-since-vaccinated, people can get whooping cough, and show no symptoms.

MuddledMadge · 24/12/2023 14:20

Place marking for later Xmas Wink

dudsville · 24/12/2023 14:29

That exercising for my health is a good enough reason. (I know this is obvious, but I've been stupid).

Illness and death has been closing in this year so, although i do not take people and things for granted, I'm making an extra effort, paying better attention.

That butter isn't all i thought it was and I can v happily live without it!

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