There are many things I could add, to my list. Some I think of, but then, I wouldn't be be where I am now, had I not taken the paths I did!
However, mine are
1. Why didn't I begin writing in earnest, sooner? I might be 3 or 4 books down by now, had I been more focussed!
2. Why didn't I get my fertility checked, sooner? Some of the struggles and heartache might have been lessened, had I known my situation earlier.
3. Why didn't I realise who the important people in my life are, sooner, so I wasted less time and effort on those who really mean nothing to me?
4. Why didn't I embrace my creativity sooner? Arts in all forms, from dramatics and singing, to drawing and painting...
5. Why didn't I think to go travelling more, before being tired down to life commitments?
6. Why didn't I realise pears were so tasty sooner?
7. Why didn't I try and curb my sweet tooth sooner? ( I know what. Because I was born from the real Cookie monster, my Pops, and all things sweet are my downfall!)
I have thought of these over the years. Especially 5 and 7.
Each relationship taught me something different and I longed for a full rounded family to have get togethers and support each other with our children and lives. But would I still be the same person? Would I know what I know now? Would I have had the children I have and would we all be the people we are now?
Lots of pondering 🤔
I started a book. Who would want to know what it says? Another doubt.
What have I learned? Be happy and grateful for my lot and for simply being, as all things could be so very different.
My dear Amanda! You delight me. I know I think back over my 80 years and sometimes cringe over what I didn’t do or often I think oh my gosh I cannot believe I did that! Yes! I wish I had scheduled my life a bit better! Most of it I did bass-akwards! Everything I did wrong, I got caught in! But here I am with the husband I married at 19. Now isn’t that ridiculous! We really have a wonderful marriage today (even though many times we were ready to throw in the towel.) Our two children that we had when we didn’t have a clue, love us like we were the perfect parents. We look at our kids who have been married forever and raised five children of their own! God is good because we surely didn’t know what we were doing. Anyway! You are a favorite of mine! So thankful you did start churning out these awesome books! Keep up the good work!❤️
Yes to the first four. You could have been taking about me and those were the reason number 7 didn’t happen. I stopped going out anywhere I could meet anyone as I was so ashamed of how I looked and when I did finally go out I spent 20 years with a male friend (no benefits and not living together) as I thought it was better than nothing.
I wasted a lot of my life through self consciousness.
Most people would be shocked at this as I tend to over compensate by being a bit loud but inside I’m still cringing at myself 😢
All of them resonate Mandy. We could be twins! (Except for the writing of a book - currently doing a dissertation and … O.M.G!!) Some, I have to say, for me are still work in progress. And that’s okay too. Xx
I see myself in much of what you have written. I look back at photos and think why didn’t I realise I was pretty. Why did I not wear a bikini… why did I think I couldn’t? Why was I trying to prove to my parents that I was a good parent and now realise I wasn’t a relaxed parent and wish I could go back to when my children were small and do things MY way.
I wish I had realised that I can sing and although enjoying singing now with two choirs, I have been told I could have had classical training if I hadn’t doubted myself. I wish I didn’t procrastinate so much. I started writing in my 50’s and took years to eventually self publish my first book. I get excited and then immediately worry that what I write is rubbish. I get so stressed with the formatting and general IT stuff… I wish I was more computer savvy. Having had ongoing health issues.. I now know what is important and I wish I’d realised in my youth that all that matters is to have good health, to have a roof over your head, to love and be loved and to forever be grateful that I can read and write. Thank you for more words of wisdom and for the chance to reply and so glad you did pick up your pen!
Many of these resonate with me too but, as you said, I would probably not be where I am now without the life experiences I have had with all their ups and downs, joys and turmoils. Have you ever thought of doing a writing retreat for beginners Amanda. I’ve been writing a journal since the beginning of Covid which I’d love to put into a book but wouldn’t know how to begin?💕
Hi Amanda, again a very insightful blog, I can identify, particularly with working to keep a roof over my kids heads and missing out on time spent with them. Never have met my soul mate and at almost 66 probably missed that boat. I wanted to write, I tried it, I failed at it. I was told I wouldn't achieve anything when I left school and I believed them, it took me until I was 40 to get my HR degree and 50 to get my H&S degree so my professional life could have been much longer, with a much easier time supporting my kids if I hadn't had my confidence knocked badly at 15. Thanks again for your delightful thoughts. xx
Sis, so many of these resonate.
There are many things I could add, to my list. Some I think of, but then, I wouldn't be be where I am now, had I not taken the paths I did!
However, mine are
1. Why didn't I begin writing in earnest, sooner? I might be 3 or 4 books down by now, had I been more focussed!
2. Why didn't I get my fertility checked, sooner? Some of the struggles and heartache might have been lessened, had I known my situation earlier.
3. Why didn't I realise who the important people in my life are, sooner, so I wasted less time and effort on those who really mean nothing to me?
4. Why didn't I embrace my creativity sooner? Arts in all forms, from dramatics and singing, to drawing and painting...
5. Why didn't I think to go travelling more, before being tired down to life commitments?
6. Why didn't I realise pears were so tasty sooner?
7. Why didn't I try and curb my sweet tooth sooner? ( I know what. Because I was born from the real Cookie monster, my Pops, and all things sweet are my downfall!)
Love this darling! And totally with you on pears and travel!!! That's the name of our first travel book right? X
Travelling in Pears... I love that!
Where are we going first??? Xxx
I'm drawing up a list, but I'm thinking we start in Scotland. One of my favourite places in the world X
And I've never been before!!!
You will LOVE IT! x
I have thought of these over the years. Especially 5 and 7.
Each relationship taught me something different and I longed for a full rounded family to have get togethers and support each other with our children and lives. But would I still be the same person? Would I know what I know now? Would I have had the children I have and would we all be the people we are now?
Lots of pondering 🤔
I started a book. Who would want to know what it says? Another doubt.
What have I learned? Be happy and grateful for my lot and for simply being, as all things could be so very different.
Lots of love to you Mandy x
Perfectly put Debs, absolutely perfectly put Xxxx
My dear Amanda! You delight me. I know I think back over my 80 years and sometimes cringe over what I didn’t do or often I think oh my gosh I cannot believe I did that! Yes! I wish I had scheduled my life a bit better! Most of it I did bass-akwards! Everything I did wrong, I got caught in! But here I am with the husband I married at 19. Now isn’t that ridiculous! We really have a wonderful marriage today (even though many times we were ready to throw in the towel.) Our two children that we had when we didn’t have a clue, love us like we were the perfect parents. We look at our kids who have been married forever and raised five children of their own! God is good because we surely didn’t know what we were doing. Anyway! You are a favorite of mine! So thankful you did start churning out these awesome books! Keep up the good work!❤️
Judy you are WONDERFUL! you have warmed my heart on this grey day - thank you X
Yes to the first four. You could have been taking about me and those were the reason number 7 didn’t happen. I stopped going out anywhere I could meet anyone as I was so ashamed of how I looked and when I did finally go out I spent 20 years with a male friend (no benefits and not living together) as I thought it was better than nothing.
I wasted a lot of my life through self consciousness.
Most people would be shocked at this as I tend to over compensate by being a bit loud but inside I’m still cringing at myself 😢
Lynda I can so relate to this. Thank you for your openness - i know this will resonate. You are fabulous Xxx
All of them resonate Mandy. We could be twins! (Except for the writing of a book - currently doing a dissertation and … O.M.G!!) Some, I have to say, for me are still work in progress. And that’s okay too. Xx
I think i'll always be a work in progress twinny! Xx - now get back to that dissertation! X
I see myself in much of what you have written. I look back at photos and think why didn’t I realise I was pretty. Why did I not wear a bikini… why did I think I couldn’t? Why was I trying to prove to my parents that I was a good parent and now realise I wasn’t a relaxed parent and wish I could go back to when my children were small and do things MY way.
I wish I had realised that I can sing and although enjoying singing now with two choirs, I have been told I could have had classical training if I hadn’t doubted myself. I wish I didn’t procrastinate so much. I started writing in my 50’s and took years to eventually self publish my first book. I get excited and then immediately worry that what I write is rubbish. I get so stressed with the formatting and general IT stuff… I wish I was more computer savvy. Having had ongoing health issues.. I now know what is important and I wish I’d realised in my youth that all that matters is to have good health, to have a roof over your head, to love and be loved and to forever be grateful that I can read and write. Thank you for more words of wisdom and for the chance to reply and so glad you did pick up your pen!
This all resonates and i'm sure with all of us. Thank you Alison and sending you love X
Many of these resonate with me too but, as you said, I would probably not be where I am now without the life experiences I have had with all their ups and downs, joys and turmoils. Have you ever thought of doing a writing retreat for beginners Amanda. I’ve been writing a journal since the beginning of Covid which I’d love to put into a book but wouldn’t know how to begin?💕
Hi Amanda, again a very insightful blog, I can identify, particularly with working to keep a roof over my kids heads and missing out on time spent with them. Never have met my soul mate and at almost 66 probably missed that boat. I wanted to write, I tried it, I failed at it. I was told I wouldn't achieve anything when I left school and I believed them, it took me until I was 40 to get my HR degree and 50 to get my H&S degree so my professional life could have been much longer, with a much easier time supporting my kids if I hadn't had my confidence knocked badly at 15. Thanks again for your delightful thoughts. xx