The first half of May has mainly been about the Lake District, first on a family trip, and most recently at the Fred Whitton Challenge in Grasmere.
It’s an event that my husband has done solo for the last few years, first as a rider and most recently as an artist, but this time I went with him.
What a gift.
Time in a gorgeous location, a fun shared experience, a super friendly event with incredible community spirit, the loveliest people - plus, witnessing the true power of a support system.
Back in April a friend and I applied to take part in the BBC’s Race Across the World.
It was a spontaneous decision, prompted by a conversation on a very long walk, and a quick google search that showed the deadline was in a couple of days.
At first we dismissed it as a ridiculous idea! We agreed that:
It was terrible timing - perhaps at some point in the future?
It wasn’t possible, we couldn’t take 2 months off from our lives when we played so many roles for so many different people.
It was completely pointless - there was no chance of being chosen.
And then we decided to take a few steps…
I love spending time on my own close to home. Reading, journalling in a cafe, doing a puzzle. Nesting and resting and being in my own space.
I also love going further afield. Taking a break from the norm, mixing it up and stepping out of my everyday life - a change of scene.
Sometimes it’s just me.
Sometime it really helps to have a like minded companion. Enter my friend - and adventure buddy - Penny.
Who are your champions?
The people who will wholeheartedly celebrate your successes?
Who you get to shine with?
Who see the future version of you that you’re becoming, even when you can’t see it yourself?
Many years ago someone asked me who I got to be unapologetically successful with, and it really stuck with me.
Who are your energisers?
The people who you love to spend time with?
The friends who leave you feeling lit up after being in their company?
Where there is a natural reciprocity - of sharing and listening, of give and take, of uplifting and supporting?
I’m just back from a walk and talk with coffee in the park with someone who I feel this way about.
She’s a relatively new friend, from a short overlap in a volunteering role, and we meet up every few months.
We spent the whole time chatting away about everything and anything. I feel happy and connected and energised, and ready to take that into the rest of my day.
What a gift.
Does it feel like you need to have a detailed plan when you’re at the start of a new adventure?
Perhaps a switch of career, or a new job, or a sabbatical, maybe even a gap year.
So you don’t have to sit with the uncertainty.
And so other people don’t worry about you?
When we think about what we want to create in our lives, and how we can get there, it can be super tempting to try and create a straight line between here and there.
If we can’t see all the steps it can feel like we’re not going to make it.
And so our brain really wants to decide on on a plan, and stick to it.
To create it all before we start.
It’s a really common way to help us feel safe and in control. And yet…it’s impossible to do.
Recently I was lost in Houston.
On a morning walk I got completely disoriented and couldn’t find my way back to my sister’s house. I saw the bridge of the freeway and my heart sank!
This is not the first time I have got lost.
I have a terrible sense of direction, and on holiday it’s at its worst without my trusty safety net of Maps.
Ironic as I spend my days focusing on finding direction in life and work!
Most Friday mornings you’ll find me walking our dog in the park with friends.
We’re all mums of teenagers, and share experiences, learnings and hacks for the various challenges and situations we face. It’s good to get it all out and leave it in the park!
They are ‘friends who get where I am now’ – and form part of a wider support system that has evolved and grown as I have.
When I reflect on who else is part of the system, I can see how varied it is – and how far it stretches.
