Hello Tree Climber, I see you

Rekindling your joy

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Hello friends,

I am really enjoying your comments and feedback, please do keep them coming.  A few readers have indicated a little confusion around the name of my Substack, 1000Weeks.  My blog of the 19th February explained my logic but on reading again, I can see I could be more succinct.  Here goes.

·       Oliver Burkeman wrote a brilliant book called ‘4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’

·       The premise: on average we will live to age 80, which, give or take, is about 4000 Weeks.  Time is limited.  You cannot do everything, so relax, make your choices and enjoy what you choose.

·       As I approached my 60^th birthday (last month, the 19th February) I realised if I follow Oliver’s logic I have 1000Weeks left (at time of writing 995Weeks!).  That is very focusing.  Particularly as 500Weeks or so may well find me less able.

·       This blog is me just thinking, reflecting and positing ideas. Hopefully it will serve as a guide come memoir for you if you are approaching or in your 1000Weeks, advise others who are, are curious about your future or maybe have parents at a similar stage of life.

·       Expect stories and commentary about living a fulfilling 1000Weeks based on the 5 Pillars of Wellbeing; Career/Purpose, Social, Community, Physical and Financial.  As a Chartered Financial Planner I will be exploring money matters based on my experience of talking to clients over 25 or so years. Interestingly, money is the least important of the 5 pillars yet its absence significantly impacts the other four.

Clearer? I hope so.  No doubt my direction will evolve over time.

Now for today’s words, it’s a follow on from last week.

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Last week I talked about the irony of trying to find your purpose, or passion and finding pressure instead.  One of the questions I suggested exploring was ‘what did you love doing as a child which you have lost along the way?’  The question made me reflect on my childhood, growing up in and around a small town in North Devon.

My love was playing ‘round the estate tick’ (housing estate not country estate ;-), riding my bike and climbing trees. 

We moved house when I was about 12, away from my boy friends and into town.  Tick and trees were replaced with walking up and down the High Street with my girl friends, looking at boys and sitting in the Wimpy eking out a milkshake, whilst lusting after a Knickerbocker Glory.  Oh, the glamour of the 70s. 

I recall moaning to my mum how much I missed being outside and playing.  I have never forgotten her reply, “for goodness sake Ruth, you can’t always be climbing trees”. My 12-year-old self replied, “why not?”. 

My mum had a point. Ish.  She wasn’t being sexist (albeit I had to do the ironing and my brother changed the plugs…) nor was she knowingly arguing for my limitations, but her retort became a metaphor that has lived with me.  “Why can’t I climb trees?”

To be clear, at 60, I am not going to return to tree climbing.  But I love being outside, whether hiking, cycling or paddleboarding.  My 12-year-old self who craved the outdoors and play lives on.

I am intrigued by the ‘guidance’ parents gave their teens back in the 70s and 80s.  I am sure the advice felt right and was well intended but for a bunch of my friends I observe a sense of unfinished business – Jen who wanted to be an artist but was told she needed to get a proper job, Linda who wanted to be a Wren, who was told she couldn’t leave home to go to sea at 16, Chris who wanted to be a PE Teacher but was instead encouraged to be an accountant.  How inspiring to see, as they enter their 1000Weeks, Jen’s painting, Linda’s travelling and Chris is cycling, running and kayaking.

We can’t rewind the clock but we can reflect on the dreams of our younger selves.  I am an advocate for more self discovery, more play, more experiences, less fear and less conformity in this fortunate stage of life.  I appreciate this may not be possible physically, financially nor be desirable for you.  And you may continue to work full time or have other commitments perhaps as a carer, parent or grandparent. 

Regardless, my challenge is this; What can you rediscover that you used to love to do? and how can you weave your findings into your life? 

We are never going to be any younger than we are today so what are we waiting for?  Time is precious. Crack on with your plans.  I’d love to hear what you discover.  Drop me a line.

Until next time my friends,

Ruth x