A couple of weeks ago I went out for afternoon tea with a lovely lady who featured in my silent sunday for that week. It was a big birthday, you know one of those that can suddenly make you look back at where you have been. Maybe looking back a little and evaluating. This lovely friend of mine has a pretty flawless positive outlook, she is all about grabbing life and running with it.
It was a delightful afternoon, we got frocked up and headed off into town. Most of the ladies who went had been students in this city we all live in and heading into town used to mean a very different thing to all of us thats for sure. It was a lovely time of laughter and connections. Remembering stories and celebrating those to come.
I am a great believer in the seasons of life. That we have times that are fit for a certain purpose and there comes a time to move on from one stage of life without clinging to whats behind. Not always the easiest thing to do it has to be said. But we have seasons in our life and its no use trying to slow them down or stop them. Just have to get in it and embrace it while you are there then bid it adieu with fondness when its your time to move on.
One season in my life i had to very much consciously move on from was baby bearing days. After my 4th baby who at the time we thought was our last baby (oops !). Alongside trying to really enjoy those little newborn days i was pretty aware that they were my last go on the merrygo round of new babyhood. Being honest i was a little sad and had a few moments when i really felt like i was loosing part of my life. But then i gave myself a little talking to.
My turn on the back of this season was over, in the same way that my student days where no more and id rather stick pins in my eyes than go and stand and stick to the sweaty floor of Rock City, listening to a band and drinking lager out of plastic pint cups!
I worked out that its okay to be nostalgic about it, you have earned the right for that in the middle of those long sleepless nights and vomit covered days staring blankly at cbeebies. Sure go ahead get out the pictures, roll down memory lane, get the bunting out and have a good old coo and ahh at your memories…but dont get sad. Its life and its a constant flow. You are never meant to stay there, like the boys from take that said ‘one day this will be someone else’s dream’ 😉
Whilst im moving into the school years and loosing years of my life to being a taxi service…there are others who are choosing Universities and trying to teach their teenagers to cook macaroni cheese!…and others who are on the first steps of parenthood discovering those two blue lines.
I loved being a mama to a new baby. Those moments, those tiny teeny moments…guarded and locked into my heart forever. But we are excitedly looking into a different season and yes crossing into a different decade, for me, may have marked that a little bit too.
Its going to be a good decade!
My giveaway this week is a another fabulous box from LUSH! Yay more sunshine in a box 🙂 All you have to do is follow the rafflecopter and pop back next week to see if you got lucky! Angela Glynn you were the winner of THE LORAX dvd. Please get in touch to claim your prize!
Funny this should be the post this week as we have literally just moved our youngest back out of our room and are in the process of clearing out the baby things – potty, toilet seat etc.
I ought to sell my phil and ted but I’m not sure I’m ready lol.
Lovely positive outlook on it all.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Community Litter Pick #EarthDay #MotivationalMonday #ZeroWaste
I need this in my life!
I never left my teenage years, growing up doesn’t look like it’s much fun tbh.
I find it hard to leave behind my teenage years! where I had so much fun and was blissfully ignorant of a lot of serious things!
I find it hard to leave my 20`s behind as they were a time when I had my son, I understood more about me and enjoyed still looking young ;).
Hmm, tough one! Would have to say my thirties though, as was financially stable, yet still having fun. Also was the time I met my Hubster……
Probably when I was working in a good job and didn’t have any money worries.
I actually don’t want to leave now behind as I’m happy, settled and feel fab xxx.
being a teenager and having no worries or commitment 🙂
Probably my 30s, I was working in a good job, travelled a lot and had a good social life.
My late teens, early twenties – when life was fun and without responsibilities!
Would like to be back in my pram, I would enjoy it this time around!
I have been having a lot of dreams about my childhood home recently, I dream that my husband and I are moving into it and are very happy. I know that this is impossible though as the house was demolished after we moved out when I was 16 🙁
my Twenties – I had a full wallet and a full head of hair.
The times I was pregnant, all the anticipation and the feeling of a life growing inside you. I really miss that feeling but know I won’t be having another.
I Wanted to stay 21 forever but I guess you never know what the future holds so I may change my mind! x
I miss my teenage years!
mmm, I’m trying to enjoy each and every stage I get to as much as the last one, but do have a pang back to the day my children were very small, sometimes wish I could go back and take more notice of the small things that got missed.
When my son was little, I thought itwas difficult at the time but I’ve now discovered you never stop worrying about them and now he lives 200 miles away so imagination kicks in. Oh well, he has brought a lot of joy too.
none of it, live for today!
I still feel like a 15 year old hanging around town with my friends!
being a kid.
My teens! Although you go through a lot of drama and madness, I learned a lot about myself and I loved high school 🙂 x.
Loved my teens. Would love to be 16 again.
My late 20s – I was doing really well in my career, I was fit, I was successfully juggling work, exercise, socialising, hobbies and other commitments and I had so much energy! Nowadays I feel like no element of my life is quite where I want it, and struggle to muster the enthusiasm or energy for things that need doing. Oh how I hanker for the days of my youth! 🙂
My teens
hmm I guess my student days of carefree living!
I find it hard to leave my old workplace behind. I loved it and even though I have a new job now I do still miss it.
Being younger without a care in the world
I often find myself thinking about my 18th year – it was such a great year…such a long time ago now though x.
My 20’s.
Little or no responsibily 🙁
being young with no responsibilities or worries
I suppose I miss my mid twenties the most, but hopefully I will look upon the next 5-10 years as my best
When I worked in NZ – amazing
Being pregnant – such an exciting and magical time despite the tiredness and anxieties that you have the at time. I absolutely loved it and feel sad that I’ll never feel kicks and hiccups from the inside!
What a lovely way to look at a 40th birthday 🙂 With my youngest being 18 months I’m still very much in the nappies and sleepless night era but I’m looking forward to the next stage! xx
I guess my teenage year when I was at school with all my friends.
My early thirties when I went back to college, loved every minute of it.
My thirties when the kids were 9 and 11 a great age to do things as a family
Living at home with Mum and Dad and not having responsibilities, wish I could be there again sometimes!
There have been so many wonderful periods in my life I’m not sure I could choose. I’d love to have been stuck in any of them. But where I am now would be hard to leave behind too.
Teenage years.
I find it hard to leave behind the days when I trained as a nurse and lived in, those were magical eye-opening times and I wish I could relive them.
Student days 🙂
I wish I could be as spontaeous as I was in my early twenties. If me and my friends had a fun idea, we’d just go and do it. I love my life now but I miss being able to drop everything and go.
When I was about 7 or 8; enthusiastically living in a bubble of imagination in a limitless world!
my pregenancies. i loved the experience and the feeling of creating a new life.
My teenage years. I didn’t appreciate them enough.
Definitely high school. Miss being that carefree (and having no bills to pay!)
Early twenties ,had enough money and time to party.
when my children were babies, such a special time and I loved it so much
my teenager years I loved the 80’s culture and music. wish I had a time machine 🙂
my uni years, would love to do that all over again
My teenage years…not the best time and still haunt my dreams 🙁
I find it hard to leave my 20s behind as it was the best time of my life, met my husband, got married, had 2 lovely boys – really really happy times
My 20s when my children were young, that time goes so fast its over before you know it
None really.
University! Miss it so much
My Student days. Great Times
being pregnant, loved every minute!
I too found it hard to leave my twenties behind…but I’m looking forward to the future too 🙂
Carefree and loving it in my early twenties…. no responsibilities! But, saying that – I love where I am today – Proud Mum of 2 wonderful little monsters who are embarking on their own little journeys.. you should never look back and always live for the moment xx.
Back to just after I left college and didn’t have a care in the world.
I loved being pregnant
secondary school, no bills, no care the only worry was… does my hair and make up look good!
My pre-marriage dating days
I don’t want to go back to those times, but sometimes I remember wistfully those days before children and responsibilities! But mostly I am happy with the here and now.
It would be about the age of about 8, that’s as far back as I remember, would love to be that age again.
When I was living with my friends during uni – no responsibility and not a care in the world!
My last year! My daughter growing up!!
I wouldn’t go back as I love the relationship I have with my husband, but I do miss the ‘honeymoon period’. I miss the feeling you have when you first fall in love and see everything through rose tinted glasses.
when my children were toddlers
When my children were little, went by too fast
being pregnant and having toddlers…i felt worried and stressed and went through alot at the time…i really wish i could re do those years
My childhood. Everything was so simple, no money worries, no health worries, just who I would play with and have fun with.
Twenty-six; limitless energy!
I have never found it hard to leave any part of my life behind. I have many fond memories but wake up everyday with the knowledge that it will give me new memories and that life is too short for regrets.
being pregnant and having little children, its such a precious time but it goes too fast!
It’s hard to let go of my university days… Lounging around reading, drinking and partying!
All of it. It is no fun getting older!
University
I miss my Dad since he died even though it was many many years ago as I was so close to him.
My student days/time at uni! 🙂
None, I’ve had a great life but I wouldn’t go back, its all about moving forward 🙂
17. Summer. Left alone in house by parents. Wonderful picnics, lovely boyfriend, friends, a car, no responsibilities, no A levels yet. Like a complete dream.
The times before my kids became teenagers, when they actually liked to have days out with us, go for meals, stay in hotels – now they always want to be with their friends.
My thirties, I hate being 40 it makes me feel old.
I look back to the age of 16 to 18 wistfully, at the time I was desperate to get out into the world of work but what a luxury it would be not to have to do the 9 to 5 now!
My 40’s were the best time, I think.
Lived long enough to have a little sense, but still energetic.
when I was 29, it was the only time in our lives when me and my best friend were single at the same time, we had an absolute blast and crossed off lots of things on the ‘things to do before I’m 30’ list 🙂
being a child – carefree.
My 20’s so much happened then, I got married bought first house and had two children, but now my youngest is 15 (today) and I’m approaching my 40’s but still yearn for my 20’s.
My grandparents dying within 16 weeks of each other, as I was pregnant and unable to travel and living in Germany 🙁
I can honestly say that I have never felt happier or more confident than I do at this point right now (mid-thirties) and I am enjoying this stage of my life so much. I was too anxious and self-conscious to enjoy my twenties as much as I should have and I hated the job I had in my early thirties. Now I am self-employed and can arrange my work so I have loads of time with my children. Our family life is great as a result and I really feel I am finally coming into my own. I think this might be the time I find hard to leave behind.
I find it hard to leave behind when we had our own house and business, unfortunately things didn’t work out and had to leave 🙁
The only part of my life I hate leaving behind is coming back from holidays.
Just had a birthday and thnking of demanding a recount- I’m not ready for this stage yet!
My late teens and early twenties, when I was head over heels in love with my best friend and life was simple x.
I just enjoy my life as it is – it’s just such a burden to regret what has gone.
babies 🙂
My late teens .. seemed like a pretty care free life
I am yet to find a time I am sorry to leave behind as I am always looking for the next challenge or adventure.
Oh I think having very young children – hard to accept that they grow up!
I often think back on memories of my late teens. But i dont find it hard to leave certain parts of life behind. I just enjoy each day! 🙂
When the Children were young & they’d cling on like a baby chimp, they were THE best hugs. Teenage hugs are not quite so good as they’re flying out the door in a rush.
I can choose my teens or childhood and id rather choose none 😉
Being 18, no worries, lots of parties and the music was great 🙂
Being a child not a care in the world now my partner and I are about to have one myself.
My 20’s…all started going downhill when I hit 30.
My early teens, no cooking, cleaning or bills. Just get up in the morning get ready and go out.
My teenage years and the discovery of tattoos and festivals
My carefree nights on the town – stopped at 20 when I met my now husband. Still makes me a little sad when I think about it
School days. Some of the funniest times of my life!
Between the ages of 21 to 28 when my daughter was little and I was slim 🙂 x.
Having a very young baby – but it is wonderful to watch her become her own, independent person.
I try to live for an enjoy the moment.
Every stage in life is different with new experiences and lessons learned. For this reason, although enjoying each stage , I do not find it difficult to leave any one behind as there is always the next one to look forward to.
calling at my late Mums every day for a cuppa and a chat.
my 20’s ! lots of parties !
When my nan was alive two years ago, I miss her so much xxxxxxxx.
my 20s i wish i had done more
being 25 and having 3 children under 4, best time of my life although very tireing lol.
When the kids were little
I try to look forward with no regrets, you cant change the past but you can make your future
College days when I felt really happy and contented.
20’s I had so much fun.
I miss Uni so much & its so hard not to pop back and reminisce properly growing up
probably my mid-twenties, still young enough but wiser.
When my lovely Mum was still with us
My Teens
When my Mum was still alive and well. We were really really close, and spent a few years together most of the time as I was her carer, and we had a real good laugh. I miss those times of laughter, having that amazing hug only a Mum can give, one that makes all the difference, and just being able to talk to her. I would re-live those years all over again, even though they weren’t easy, just so I could have more time with her.
My son not wanting to kiss me in front of his friends, how I wish we could go back a few years 🙂
My childhood when i had no responsibilities and life was just good
My children growing up too quick
Being 23, and free spirited. Not letting inhibitions stop me from doing things. My confidence is much lower now I’m in my 30’s!
My children are both young now so I will miss this time when they grow up
Find it hard to leave my ‘youth’ behind!
Springing out of bed in the morning with NO aches & pains 🙁