How far do you want to stretch?

And I’m not talking about yoga...yet!

I feel like I might be becoming a stretch junky. As I get older, I’m finding more and more that I’m wanting to throw myself into a challenge, say Hell YES to new and unusual things, and experience life, all of it in like a ‘better than HD’ version that might not have been invented yet.

It’s probably because I’m heading to that mile-stone birthday, the big 5,0 next January, eek, but I was encouraged deeper into this gung-ho attitude yesterday on the school run, listening to one of my favourite podcasts – Postcards from Midlife.

In it, the hosts, Lorraine and Trish, were talking about two women from the Facebook group who had recently set themselves a challenge after particularly tough times – one was doing a sky dive to raise money for a local charity, the other planning a 140km solo walk with just a backpack and a tent – very reminiscent of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn.

And it got me thinking about where my next adventure would take me.

Me and my friend Jayne at the top of The Giant’s Causeway path

This year has been stretching already both workwise – applying for and receiving the funding from the Arts Council to finally get my book written – exciting and slightly scary because I now have no excuse not to do it, and also play wise going on a last minute surprise trip to Northern Ireland with a friend, doing the Giant’s Causeway (see above) and The Gobbins to name a few of the walks that we did – a glorious four day trip with no responsibilities!

It's these mini adventures and stretches out of my comfort zone that put fire in my belly, and frankly I want more of it.

I’m a big fan of Vision Boards and find great joy cutting out images and planning where they will all sit on my board by the end of January.

For the first time ever I think, by July most of my mini- visions, or dreams if you like, have been ticked off, and so I’m going to create a new one in September – rule breaker or what?

Since having Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment from November 2019 to in remission February 2021 following chemo and radiotherapy, it’s given me a weird fearless edge of, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ When one of the worst things already has?

I now really do not care if I make mistakes or something doesn’t work out, I’d rather give it a go and learn from it than not try at all, because to me that’s not living.

That doesn’t mean to say I am completely fearless though! I suppose the biggest area where I play it safe is physically. I’ve never been a gym bunny or enjoyed strenuous exercise and pushing myself to my limits, and I suppose since cancer treatment, it has held me back more on this.

For example due to one of the chemo drugs, I now have 15% scarring on my lungs that can make me short of breath when going up hills, I never liked that feeling of being out of breath anyway, stemming from asthma as a child I think, but even less so now, which is a shame as I’m a nature geek and love the view from the top of a big hill! So maybe that should be an area of stretch I should focus on?

I walk the dog every day, so I’m not a complete lazy bum, but I do want to stretch more, literally, and try yoga. I’ve done Pilates for years before treatment, but I’d like to feel more supple, enjoy the movement and relaxation side that comes with yoga.

However I know I need pushing to do it! So I’ve set up a new little space in the house, cleared out a spare room, and made it a zen and peaceful space.

So far, I’ve laid on the shakti mat my friend leant me, listened to a podcast, and instantly fallen asleep – not much movement going on there but baby steps, yes?! I’ll be lean and mean in no time!

My new little yoga space, once I’ve learned to not just fall asleep on the mat!

Having had cancer, and consequently treatment quite young, I think it also gives me a sense of urgency. As you are signing your life away on the chemo and radiotherapy forms with words like late effects could mean heart disease, heart failure, secondary cancers, lung problems – to name just a few of the delights on there, it certainly gives you a kick up the arse that you better live your life right now, because you do not know what is around the corner in 10 years’ time!

I’ve always been a ‘You only get one life’ person anyway, but going through all that serves as a hefty reminder, and so there really is no time like the present – that’s why it’s a gift (cheesy but true).

I’ve got an exciting year coming up, with working on the book which gives me happy butterflies just thinking about it, new business projects coming in, work that really fulfils me and as both children, now 15 and 17 are starting to plan their futures too, there seems to be this air of anticipation in the house.  

So in September, I’ll be heading into that new term feeling, a month that I’ve always loved after the summer holidays, playing chef and taxi service and ready to get back into some kind of routine!

I’m already dreaming of what may go on my new vision board, how much I will stretch myself and what actions I can take to make it happen.

So what do you think? Do you consider the stretch too? There’s a lot to be said for comfort of course, stretching is not for everyone, but I’m finding the more incredible life experiences I have, the more I want and the more confidence it gives you to go out and grab life by the kanoogies (I know that’s not a real word but I’m trying to be polite!).

Life in the middle feels full of hope and opportunity, and I think you feel more grateful for it at this age, so I’d love to know what adventures you are planning, or new things that are lighting you up, because it will only serve as more inspiration to me and others, just like the women who shared their recent adventures on the podcast.

Let’s support and celebrate those mountain climbs, both mentally and physically, which I know may sound like a rallying cry, and it is something I’ve thought about a lot. If I were completely honest, and I can dare myself to do it, I’d love to have a go at ‘public speaking’ one day – now that would be a huge stretch and totally out of my comfort zone!

Maybe one day I will be on a stage talking about my book. Never say never, and maybe that will be going on my next vision board! Be careful what you wish for eh?!

Have a great rest of your week,

Juliet x