The weather this week has perfectly reflected my mood. There have been cold, raining mornings (or afternoons) with hot, clear moments in between. There have been moments where it has been gray and cloudy on one side of the house and clear, bright blue skies on the other. Which has kinda how I have felt.
Glimmers
(Glimmers are micro-moments of joy that make us feel happy, hopeful, and safe.)
- My office make over started, stage one did take a little longer than anticipated, we are still not done but it’s looking good.
- We had my birthday lunch on Sunday at my favourite local Indian restaurant. They do a Sunday buffet and it was sooo good.
- My walk on Sunday was fun. The actual route was pretty easy, nice and flat but it was very very muddy, which added in some unplanned adventure.
- Emma had a check up on Monday and her body is responding well to her meds, we are seeing improvements even in just 2 weeks.
- Eve and I did a hike on Tuesday. It was the tougher of the routes at my normal walking spot but it was easier than the first time I did it.
- It was my birthday. I didn’t expect to feel as emotional about it as I did, there were a few tears and I felt the sadness deep in my soul all day. BUT I got some beautiful gifts. Typo’s new range is Stitch from Lilo and Stitch and I got this gorgeous aroma diffuser for my desk. I LOVE IT.
- Le Creuset bought this Winnie the Pooh range out ages ago. I loved it but I couldn’t really justify the price, for a mug. Cameron’s nursery was Winnie the Pooh themed and his first birthday party was Winnie the Pooh. When he died I really wanted one of these mugs. David did look for one for Christmas but they were pretty hard to find by then. Anyway he got the whole set for me now for my birthday and I am so in love with them.
- David and I took the dogs for a walk on Thursday. He has been so busy the past 2 weeks, he has been organising an airshow that happens this weekend, we haven’t really had much time together, the walk worked as a bit of a catch up and a date of sorts. (We take the time where we can get it, right.)
- It has been cold this week. Actually cold of my perimenopausal self to wear thick socks and a hoodie. A lot of people are complaining about the rain but I am loving it. It doesn’t rain every day or for hours on end. Just enough to create the aesthetic.
My Weekly Wisdom..
Do you enjoy pushing yourself physically, and I suppose mentally?
My friend Eve and I have been talking about this a lot lately. I am still not 100% sure where I stand.
A little context.
I started hiking/trail walking consistently about 4 months ago. Despite complaining about it, I am enjoying it. Obviously when I started hiking 5km without wanting to pass out my TikTok FYP was filled with all sorts of hikes – one of them one was the Te Araroa in New Zealand. It is a 300km hike that takes 4 months. It is tough but absolutely beautiful. This led Eve and I to talking about harder walks like this that push us both mentally and physically. Even if you are fit and hike ready, mentally staying motivated to hike for days/weeks or in some cases months takes a lot.
Right now I am enjoying the walks/hikes I am doing. There is a mix of tougher, longer trails and shorter, easier ones. My body is adjusting and I am no longer sore for days on end. The elevations are getting easier and I don’t dread getting out of bed to head out.
The question now is – do I keep doing what I am doing or do I push myself and maybe train for something bigger, like this 4 day endurance trail in Jeffreys Bay. Do I really feel like I need to push myself? Should I want to?
I don’t have the answer yet. This trail in Jeffreys Bay appeals to me. It does look tough but doable, it’s only 4 days and is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. If I look at their training schedule, I am not far off and could actually do it. BUT do I want to. Do I want the blisters, the sun burn, the aching joints, the bug bites.
Today, my answer is possibly.
Have you done something like this? Would you?
Picture of the Week
Kiara created this animation of her and I. Is it not just the most gorgeous thing.
Wise Words of the Week
“To master life, one must learn to balance the Yin energy with the Yang, creating a symphony of peace.”
Words of the Week
I am joining up with the Word of the Week link party this week so my word for the week would have to be Ying-Yang. Is that one word? I feel like there were lots of opposites and conflicting emotions this week. Happiness over my birthday celebrations but sadness over Cameron not being here. Relief we have found a treatment plan for Emma but she is struggling this week as her body does a detox of sorts. Pride over David organising this huge event so well, but missing him.
Until next week!
Glad things are looking good with the start of your office makeover. Happy belated birthday – sounds like it was quite an emotional day but the gifts sound lovely especially the Winnie the Pooh mugs. Well done to you with pushing yourself with the hiking – it sounds like you’re really enjoying it and good luck if you do decide to try something harder. I’d like to walk Land’s End to John O’Groats one day but I’m a long way off attempting anything like that just yet! Love the picture of you and Kiara. Ying-Yang sounds like the perfect word to describe your week with all the mixtures of emotions. Hope next week is gentler. #WotW
I think yin-yang perfectly sums up your week.
Happy belated birthday. I’m so glad you got the lovely mugs in the end, especially since they evoke cherished memories.
I would love to be able to hike for days on end, but it is a big decision and not an easy one to make. I always enjoy seeing photos from your hikes.
Have a lovely weekend.
Happy birthday! It looks like you got some great gifts. I enjoy hiking and we mix shorter easy hikes with longer, mountain type hikes. I’ve often looked at long multi-day trails but I could never (would never?) do that unless there was a place I could sleep overnight with beds, showers, a hot meal etc. I’ve read of a few in other countries that are set up that way and have been intrigued by the idea but mostly I just content myself with more difficult hikes I can complete in a day. Funny enough all my hiking friends and I talk about how much we hate hiking up mountains the whole time we’re doing it. Then we take a few photos of the pretty views, are so relieved to make it back to our cars and then months later talk each other into doing it again… almost like childbirth where we forget just how grueling it can be sometimes!
LOL that is funny because we do the same – we moan most of the way through the hike but then say “see you again next week”.
It sounds like we have had the same sort of weather!
I am glad the office makeover is going well.
Happy belated birthday to you! How lovely you got the Winnie the Pooh set.
What a great word for your week, I think it describes it perfectly!
I loved reading your post and I am always so impressed that you always talk about walking and hiking like they are fun! I really hope to get there one day. But, walking first. And for a long time. lol. The office makeover sounds like it’s going in the right direction. Happy belated birthday, too. Sending virtual hugs for you as you navigate the grief. Today I found a photo of my son in my handbag while I was rustling around hoping to find a sweet. I’m missing him too, and this week would make 13 years since his passing. It’s never easy, but we do our best to cope. Just saying this to let you know that I do understand the grief. Chin up, lovely lady. Your writing is so inspiring, so thank you.
Thank you. Right now we are still so deep in the grief, it is very hard some days.
First, you are quite welcome to use more than one word for ‘word of the week,’ in fact you can use a whole phrase if you wish, I have done myself. We are happy to have you along. Ying-yang is perfect to show the dark and light of the same thing. As for pushing yourself, I think it’s a personal choice, but I know from experience that pushing too much destroyed my body, but for most it improves it. I guess you know your body best (I just wished I’d listened to mine) Belated birthday wishes x
I love the Winnie the Pooh mug, well done to David on tracking the set down for you. I missed being able to go walking freely in South Africa, but I loved to wander around Groenkloof, that was quite challenging in parts and Jan Smuts in Irene had some good routes also locally. We enjoyed walking in Magalisberg, Drakensburg and Titsiskama also. #wotw
Belated Happy Birthday! I love the Eeyore mug – he’s my favourite 🙂 Love the animation too. I like the yin – yang to sum up your week.