What you've learnt in 2023

[countrytweed]

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!)

« Success is a moment, striving is a journey. Enjoy the journey » learned from a video on Instagram. It sounds trite but sometimes I watch the video again when I’m stressing over nothing.

I have been running for years but this year learned to train properly and managed a 20 km run. Also learned to ride a motorbike.

On the to-do list for 2024: learn to focus. I’m sure my life would be better if my mind wasn’t like a web browser with 10 tabs open at the same time!

I've watched a great documentary on Amazon Prime called "Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds", lots of learns from there for me this year.

Very let down by someone I thought I could depend on. Fake relationship. But found that someone else stepped up at a very low point (I am normally a very centred person but recent events have been shockingly traumatic). Although there are some awful people, there are also some wonderful people out there

Kwackerly - I love your post.

That I’ve not always been the best Mum but I’ve done my best and I can only apologise so many times
That I can’t control what other people hold me responsible for & that they need to look at their part and to take responsibility for their actions
That I can lose weight and keep it off and that I can feel great about myself
That I’m a good person and I’m loved by the people who mean the most to me

I learned that I can do techy things with spreadsheets
I learned that I don’t really have any friends and I need to stop investing myself into friendships that aren’t worthy of my energy
I learned that if I am a bit kinder to myself, the world doesn’t end
I learned that until you have a Labrador, you don’t fully appreciate the quantity of food an animal can eat.

Despite trying to ignore it, I am getting older and I do need to start looking after my body. I can't eat junk and drink alcohol and not exercise like I'm still in my twenties. In the last 2 months I have somehow (miraculously) learned to love the gym and miss it on my rest days. My skin is looking great and I've lost weight.

Make very small achievable goals and incremental improvements can be made.

Don't keep flogging a dead horse, I've been studying a professional qualification for 3 yrs and I've burned out and started to hate it so despite being disappointed im only part qualified, I've decided to stop where I am and I'm so much happier to have my evenings and weekends back, the pressure is now off and I'm good enough as I am.