How often to you look back on your life and think, “If I only knew then what I know now”? We all do it. I imagine my 20 year old self and wonder why I didn’t wear a bikini every day, travel, live in exotic cities, play harder. I was so concerned about being responsible, and desperate to get married and have children. That all came, and I love my life, but I wish I’d savored my youth and freedom more. I got to thinking, when I am 80 years old, what would I wish I’d known today as a 44 year old woman and mom? I asked this future self and she had some important pearls of wisdom to share.
Cherish motherhood. You will never again have the opportunity to create human beings. It is exhausting. You are spread thin and you crave 5 minutes to yourself. Don’t worry, solitude will come and you’re heart will ache for the days of little ones pulling at your legs and giving you hugs and kisses.
Stay in the moment. Memories fade and the future only propels you towards mortality. Magic lies in the now.
Appreciate your body. You may never be a bikini model, but it birthed your children, and it does whatever you need it to do with minimal complaint. It remains steadfast when you ignore it, but responds with delight when you nurture it.
Invest in your marriage. Emotionally. Spiritually. Make it a source of joy, support and love.
Move your body. Do yoga. Dance. Feel the rhythm of your bones respond with wild abandon.
Get outside. Enjoy the spaciousness and wonder of nature. Breathe fresh air. Let wonder stir your soul.
Drink water.
Drink wine. Stay away from whiskey.
Practice gratitude. There is always a silver lining.
Make time for friendships. Cultivate them. Enrich your life with a wide variety of friends.
Travel. See the world and witness the common threads that bind humanity.
Stay committed to your dreams. Keep your vision clear, but surrender to the “how” of their manifestation.
Trust. Have faith. You are not in control. When you surrender life has an uncanny way of working out.
Courageously love and nurture yourself. Steer clear of striving to “become” and accept the perfection of where you are.
Always make the choice that feels easy. There is no value in making life hard on you.
What wisdom would your 80-year-old self have for you? Share it with me and I'll publish it on my blog www.annepillsburycoaching.com. Come check out what my mom had to say.
