"Keep looking until you find the people who celebrate your uniqueness. Better to be alone for a while instead of keeping company with those who try to box you in."
"Keep looking until you find the people who celebrate your uniqueness. Better to be alone for a while instead of keeping company with those who try to box you in."
Just a shoutout to all the Substack people who are embracing simplicity at a much younger age. I am learning so much from you and am inspired by the way you are living your lives. Wish I had gotten here sooner. But to any older readers, there is tremendous benefit to adopting simple living at any age.
This is such a lovely read, thank you. Reclaiming the mornings has been the best thing by far about reaching 50. I gave up alcohol as it didn't help my menopause symptoms and enjoy clear headed, early weekend mornings has been such a joy.
Congratulations on that big step. I used to have a single drink at business networking events, but I was never much of a drinker. It's just another way that my career warped me.
Really enjoyed this Jo - the part about your Dad telling you that he really loves you, made me quite emotional, just beautiful. What a precious memory to look back on. My Dad passed away nearly 4 years ago so reading about people's relationships with their Dads always gets me ❤️.
I haven't you know, I talk about him a lot, especially to the kids and my mum and me talk about him a lot, as in 'Dad would like this' or 'remember when....', but writing those memories down would be a lovely thing to do.
"Keep looking until you find the people who celebrate your uniqueness. Better to be alone for a while instead of keeping company with those who try to box you in."
This advice is golden Jo, and something I've slowly started to realise myself lately.
Thank you Lyndsay. I watched each of my children go through a long period of not fitting in. It's a relief when they find their tribe and a compatible life partner, no matter how long it takes.
I imagine that must have been hard for you to watch Jo. But such relief when it all falls into place!
I wonder if my own parents had similar thoughts about me. I've always felt like an outsider, not really fitting in anywhere, but then I met my husband and we are on the path to a new life together and everything finally feels right 💜
I think my mother pushed me and taught me the skills I needed to survive and fit in. She urged me to join some clubs when I retired. I tried it, but honestly, some adult groups have people who behave like middle schoolers so I stopped going to group things when the lockdown ended. I have been married for 44 years, and we get along well.
Oh I can imagine! At least you went along and tried them. You have to determine what is best for you and you only find that out by experiencing it for yourself.
44 years, I love that. I've been married for 3 years as of last month and I hope to make it to as many years :)
Such a lovely read, thank you. I feel I have come to slow living quite late in life (42) but I feel so at home with the concept and realise I have been working towards it without really naming it for a while now.
If I can start on this road in my 60s, 42 is not such a bad time to start Rachel. Yes, it starts as a restless urge you can't name, with intuition surfacing and guiding you before you know you are on the path.
Sophie and Jo this is wonderful, thank you! There is so much to unpack here I think I need to read a section a day to absorb it.
What an amazing gift from your Dad. The most impactful things are not things at all and we know that but sometimes we forget. Then we hear a story like this and it is a reminder of what is truly important. Thank you❤
What hit home for me was your brother's words that you will know when to walk away. Sometimes those things seem so grey to me, yet I yearn for that knowing, so I loved reading this!
Simplifying is a process and paying attention to what is not simple, and then acting on it, is how we get there. I appreciate your wisdom.
Thanks, Donna. Well, for a while, I was knowing and ignoring for the sake of a good income. But the signs were there—I would soon have another important role to play. My widowed mother was failing quickly, and I was able to coordinate care so she could die at home, and visit frequently. My brother and I were both with her when she passed. We helped her to die a good death, but her final moment also was an important lesson for us. I might have to explain that in a newsletter in the future.
Thank you, I relate to this in so many ways. I came out of my twenty year career as an air traffic controller aged 48, and it took me two further years to unwind and start to really allow myself to live in a slower and more nurturing way. My pace and way of life before was crazy. This year I completed my first book, and now I’m studying as a tea sommelier for my second book, all very much on my terms. Most importantly I’ve (just about) allowed myself to know that this is ok. In fact it’s much more than ok, it’s essential. My older brother was so hugely influential in all of this, but largely because he tragically died, but that has taught me so much about what it means to live 💕
How lovely to read more of your story, Jo. Thank you for sharing it with us - and for sharing your ongoing journey through your own newsletter💛 I have taken a couple of points from here to ponder - reclaiming mornings, and your journal prompt x
Thank you Jo for the shout out! I am glad to hear you found the journaling practices on mindfulness helfpul. Your story about living retirement as a creative artist is inspiring! Thank you!
Thanks Sian. I love having the house to myself, no TV on anywhere, no kitchen noises, just me and my cat who is in his post-breakfast snooze.
I love silence! I crave it, it is very special 💕
Silence feels like a warm woolen shawl, it looks like a winter sunset over snowy fields, it is as cozy as a sleeping cat.
Yes!! I think societally we often associate silence with coldness or loneliness, but to me a natural silence is a great source of comfort x
This is such a lovely read, thank you. Reclaiming the mornings has been the best thing by far about reaching 50. I gave up alcohol as it didn't help my menopause symptoms and enjoy clear headed, early weekend mornings has been such a joy.
I also gave up alcohol almost 3 years ago now. One of the best decisions for my health that I’ve made in a long time 💛
Congratulations on that big step. I used to have a single drink at business networking events, but I was never much of a drinker. It's just another way that my career warped me.
Really enjoyed this Jo - the part about your Dad telling you that he really loves you, made me quite emotional, just beautiful. What a precious memory to look back on. My Dad passed away nearly 4 years ago so reading about people's relationships with their Dads always gets me ❤️.
I have so many great memories, we need to write them down and share them. Have you written anything about your dad?
I haven't you know, I talk about him a lot, especially to the kids and my mum and me talk about him a lot, as in 'Dad would like this' or 'remember when....', but writing those memories down would be a lovely thing to do.
"Keep looking until you find the people who celebrate your uniqueness. Better to be alone for a while instead of keeping company with those who try to box you in."
This advice is golden Jo, and something I've slowly started to realise myself lately.
Thank you for sharing your story with us 🙏✨
Thank you Lyndsay. I watched each of my children go through a long period of not fitting in. It's a relief when they find their tribe and a compatible life partner, no matter how long it takes.
I imagine that must have been hard for you to watch Jo. But such relief when it all falls into place!
I wonder if my own parents had similar thoughts about me. I've always felt like an outsider, not really fitting in anywhere, but then I met my husband and we are on the path to a new life together and everything finally feels right 💜
I think my mother pushed me and taught me the skills I needed to survive and fit in. She urged me to join some clubs when I retired. I tried it, but honestly, some adult groups have people who behave like middle schoolers so I stopped going to group things when the lockdown ended. I have been married for 44 years, and we get along well.
Oh I can imagine! At least you went along and tried them. You have to determine what is best for you and you only find that out by experiencing it for yourself.
44 years, I love that. I've been married for 3 years as of last month and I hope to make it to as many years :)
Such a lovely read, thank you. I feel I have come to slow living quite late in life (42) but I feel so at home with the concept and realise I have been working towards it without really naming it for a while now.
If I can start on this road in my 60s, 42 is not such a bad time to start Rachel. Yes, it starts as a restless urge you can't name, with intuition surfacing and guiding you before you know you are on the path.
Looking back at the journey to this point I totally agree with you. I’ve definitely been guided to where I am today and it feels ... right
Sophie and Jo this is wonderful, thank you! There is so much to unpack here I think I need to read a section a day to absorb it.
What an amazing gift from your Dad. The most impactful things are not things at all and we know that but sometimes we forget. Then we hear a story like this and it is a reminder of what is truly important. Thank you❤
What hit home for me was your brother's words that you will know when to walk away. Sometimes those things seem so grey to me, yet I yearn for that knowing, so I loved reading this!
Simplifying is a process and paying attention to what is not simple, and then acting on it, is how we get there. I appreciate your wisdom.
Thanks, Donna. Well, for a while, I was knowing and ignoring for the sake of a good income. But the signs were there—I would soon have another important role to play. My widowed mother was failing quickly, and I was able to coordinate care so she could die at home, and visit frequently. My brother and I were both with her when she passed. We helped her to die a good death, but her final moment also was an important lesson for us. I might have to explain that in a newsletter in the future.
What a gorgeous and soulful read! Loved meeting Jo and hearing what’s important to her! 💝
Thank you, I relate to this in so many ways. I came out of my twenty year career as an air traffic controller aged 48, and it took me two further years to unwind and start to really allow myself to live in a slower and more nurturing way. My pace and way of life before was crazy. This year I completed my first book, and now I’m studying as a tea sommelier for my second book, all very much on my terms. Most importantly I’ve (just about) allowed myself to know that this is ok. In fact it’s much more than ok, it’s essential. My older brother was so hugely influential in all of this, but largely because he tragically died, but that has taught me so much about what it means to live 💕
I wish you every joy in your new way of life. Glad that you escaped the crazy pace.
Thank you 💕
Another wonderful read, thanks
How lovely to read more of your story, Jo. Thank you for sharing it with us - and for sharing your ongoing journey through your own newsletter💛 I have taken a couple of points from here to ponder - reclaiming mornings, and your journal prompt x
Thank you Jo for the shout out! I am glad to hear you found the journaling practices on mindfulness helfpul. Your story about living retirement as a creative artist is inspiring! Thank you!