I always want to read these sort of posts when other people write them. So here, for better or worse, is some of what I've learnt after five decades on this planet. Some interior design, some life.
Love this. Thanks Kate! Something from my experience I'd like to add. We're moving back into our home that burned down and has been re-built after 3 years and 3 months on Friday. I've found that surviving a really hard experience has made me stronger, but not as expected. I'm much calmer, more empathetic and happier. Finding more pleasure in the smallest things. Silver linings are real!
Thanks Kate. It's been an absolute nightmare. Struggles at every turn with insurers and planners.
And it's now a cottage again. Not the same and still lovely, and very special. I was worried it wouldn't be because it's mostly modern now, and was originally built in the 1570s, and incredibly it is. Different and with the benefit of double glazing, better stairs, underfloor heating, and foundations!
I wouldn't have chosen for it to happen, it's been a hugely emotionally challenging thing to deal with and we're getting there.
It really is extraordinary. I'd have loved to have come on the weekend you're offering this year, would have been perfect!
And I've muddled through. Made some mistakes I can already see with the interiors but got the main structural stuff right, so that's good...
Getting older, (I’m 61) is actually amazingly great. Also selling all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the yrs that you no longer need gives a dopamine hit even better than buying stuff. Oh & take up weight training. I did this after hideous sciatica & I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. It feels good to lift my own bags of compost & huge pots. Go me 😁👍
This was delightful! Something about myself: my house plants are growing well. This is something of a personal triumph as it’s taken about 15 years to learn how to not kill them with kindness. Or, indeed, with neglect.
One more thing: I’ll be turning 40 soon, and I’m so very happy about it. Lists like the one you posted today fill me with enthusiasm for growing older.
Oh well done on the house plants. More about me - mine are not doing well! I shall attend to them today and wishing you joy in your 40s. That’s a great decade. Xx
Appreciate life. The small moments. Being alive. Joy. Laughter. Friends and family. So easy to take all this for granted but life is fragile and not under our control. I’ve had 27 years of chronic ill-health, ‘nearly died’ so many times that friends are now ‘did you die? If not, I don’t wanna hear it?’. There’s nothing like yet another ‘near-death’ experience to make you appreciate sun, rain, blue skies, wind and cold, good coffee and chocolate and smiles. Small moments, love life ♥️L
This is absolutely beautiful. So many of your sentiments made me smile and laugh.
The one thing I’ve learned in my 39 years is that life will not go as you planned, or expected. That is the one guarantee. It will be beautiful but also brutal. ❤️
I love this list. One thing I have learned … it’s ok to please myself to be selfish about how and who I spend my time with. All invitations don’t need to accepted or reciprocated. 🙌🏿
Loved these truisms and especially seeing the confidence in your zip-wire stride and the broad smile on your face. Something I've finally learned (active 67 year old!) is sometimes you've just got to let it be .....
A great bank holiday Monday read! Full of sound advice, written with humour, much of which I have also only recently discovered, having just turned 60! Nice to hear someone like-minded! Thanks Kate, have always loved your page in Red, too.
Loved reading this Kate, and number 7 struck me the most. I think maybe sometimes it's better to call things as they are, without having the expectations of keeping a good thing going. It helps with disappointment and keeping it a happy memory to look back on.
Hi. I loved this list - thanks for sharing. I notice that in two of the photos you seem to have either white or a half blind. How did you do this? I would love to do something similar. Thanks
It was an ikea roller blind fixed to the sash in the old house. In this house I have made cream linen cafe curtains and fixed them to a brass rod. Gives privacy but doesn’t take the light.
Loved this. Still searching for my perfect red lippy ( over 60). Love a good notebook & pen, daydreaming in the shade of a tree listening to bird song, who knew! Small pleasures becoming my great pleasures after a life of chasing bigger adventures xx
Small pleasures are so absolutely what matter in life. Crikey, I think that’s one of the most important things I’ve managed to learn in my 61 yrs. 🤔 ( lightbulb moment) It really is the little things, the everyday small moments of contentment, appreciation, joy & love that matter.
Last year, I visited Washington DC. Walked myself to exhaustion one day and just sat on the grass under a tree. Then I lay on the grass and just looked at the tree, felt that cold grass feeling under me. And I realised how wonderful it felt and that it must have been 35+ years since I had done that. I now go out to my garden and lie under a tree and look at the leaves and the sky. And it’s still wonderful.
Love this. Thanks Kate! Something from my experience I'd like to add. We're moving back into our home that burned down and has been re-built after 3 years and 3 months on Friday. I've found that surviving a really hard experience has made me stronger, but not as expected. I'm much calmer, more empathetic and happier. Finding more pleasure in the smallest things. Silver linings are real!
I can’t even imagine what you have been through but I guess yes it’s that - what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Sending much love x
Thanks Kate. It's been an absolute nightmare. Struggles at every turn with insurers and planners.
And it's now a cottage again. Not the same and still lovely, and very special. I was worried it wouldn't be because it's mostly modern now, and was originally built in the 1570s, and incredibly it is. Different and with the benefit of double glazing, better stairs, underfloor heating, and foundations!
I wouldn't have chosen for it to happen, it's been a hugely emotionally challenging thing to deal with and we're getting there.
It really is extraordinary. I'd have loved to have come on the weekend you're offering this year, would have been perfect!
And I've muddled through. Made some mistakes I can already see with the interiors but got the main structural stuff right, so that's good...
xx
It would have been lovely to have you. Perhaps next year when the insurers etc is all over x
I feel as though coming would have been perfect if I was starting next year. I'm afraid that horse has bolted now though...
Getting older, (I’m 61) is actually amazingly great. Also selling all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the yrs that you no longer need gives a dopamine hit even better than buying stuff. Oh & take up weight training. I did this after hideous sciatica & I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. It feels good to lift my own bags of compost & huge pots. Go me 😁👍
This was delightful! Something about myself: my house plants are growing well. This is something of a personal triumph as it’s taken about 15 years to learn how to not kill them with kindness. Or, indeed, with neglect.
One more thing: I’ll be turning 40 soon, and I’m so very happy about it. Lists like the one you posted today fill me with enthusiasm for growing older.
Oh well done on the house plants. More about me - mine are not doing well! I shall attend to them today and wishing you joy in your 40s. That’s a great decade. Xx
Appreciate life. The small moments. Being alive. Joy. Laughter. Friends and family. So easy to take all this for granted but life is fragile and not under our control. I’ve had 27 years of chronic ill-health, ‘nearly died’ so many times that friends are now ‘did you die? If not, I don’t wanna hear it?’. There’s nothing like yet another ‘near-death’ experience to make you appreciate sun, rain, blue skies, wind and cold, good coffee and chocolate and smiles. Small moments, love life ♥️L
Really enjoyed this!! They say there’s a perfect red lippie for everyone but I’m yet to find mine. Looks fab on you x
This is absolutely beautiful. So many of your sentiments made me smile and laugh.
The one thing I’ve learned in my 39 years is that life will not go as you planned, or expected. That is the one guarantee. It will be beautiful but also brutal. ❤️
So true. And thank you for reading and replying x
I love this list. One thing I have learned … it’s ok to please myself to be selfish about how and who I spend my time with. All invitations don’t need to accepted or reciprocated. 🙌🏿
That is a good thing to have learned for sure.
Loved these truisms and especially seeing the confidence in your zip-wire stride and the broad smile on your face. Something I've finally learned (active 67 year old!) is sometimes you've just got to let it be .....
A great bank holiday Monday read! Full of sound advice, written with humour, much of which I have also only recently discovered, having just turned 60! Nice to hear someone like-minded! Thanks Kate, have always loved your page in Red, too.
Loved reading this Kate, and number 7 struck me the most. I think maybe sometimes it's better to call things as they are, without having the expectations of keeping a good thing going. It helps with disappointment and keeping it a happy memory to look back on.
Hi. I loved this list - thanks for sharing. I notice that in two of the photos you seem to have either white or a half blind. How did you do this? I would love to do something similar. Thanks
It was an ikea roller blind fixed to the sash in the old house. In this house I have made cream linen cafe curtains and fixed them to a brass rod. Gives privacy but doesn’t take the light.
Bringing a red lipstick to Turin.
Absolutely love this. Thank you!
I loved this!
Ah thank you so much Eleanor xx
You never regret going for a swim
Hmm. Are you sure about that?! I am not good at swimming. And I hate drying!
Hi Alice, I recently found my red lippie (I'm 58). Try the colors by Lisa Eldridge- there's a great selection of reds.
Loved this. Still searching for my perfect red lippy ( over 60). Love a good notebook & pen, daydreaming in the shade of a tree listening to bird song, who knew! Small pleasures becoming my great pleasures after a life of chasing bigger adventures xx
Small pleasures are so absolutely what matter in life. Crikey, I think that’s one of the most important things I’ve managed to learn in my 61 yrs. 🤔 ( lightbulb moment) It really is the little things, the everyday small moments of contentment, appreciation, joy & love that matter.
Last year, I visited Washington DC. Walked myself to exhaustion one day and just sat on the grass under a tree. Then I lay on the grass and just looked at the tree, felt that cold grass feeling under me. And I realised how wonderful it felt and that it must have been 35+ years since I had done that. I now go out to my garden and lie under a tree and look at the leaves and the sky. And it’s still wonderful.
Nothing like lying under a tree.