I just realized I’ve entered my mom’s last decade of life
The sand in the hourglass is filling up the bottom half and in addition to wondering who I am as an empty nester, I now have the pressure of time running out to decide. I’ve been listening to all kinds of motivational audiobooks, hoping to get a jumpstart…something that will combat my failure to launch in this autumnal stage of life.
I always come back to writing. It’s a way to purge the darkness from the mind, and on other occasions a mental confetti spilling of joy and amazement. I find myself to be most creative during my morning walks on the beach. Passersby may see me frantically finger poking my phone in the notes app where I am pouring streams of consciousness. Some of this will get put to use someday, I imagine. But it’s energy often stops there.
Today is the day I will schedule myself for action…for goal reaching…for liftoff! This is a mantra I keep repeating. Then there is laundry and work and exercise class and somehow I’m preparing for bed never having gone back to those creative notes; never putting them to use.
I have enlisted friends and family members to hold me accountable. They call and text and email to check in on me. They ask me about my progress. This support system is vital. It gives me the push I so desperately need with a hand extended so that I won’t fear a fall. Back out on the ledge I go to peer out at all of those creative possibilities.
Here I am finally flapping my wings and attempting first flight in this blog. These first few flaps are difficult. The rhythm has not yet formed but the attempt is mighty and heartfelt.
And the wings are moving
Some of the motivational audiobooks I’ve enjoyed:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell
Everything is Figureoutable: How One Simple Belief Can Help Us Overcome Any Obstacle and Create Unstoppable Success by Marie Forleo
Good Luck Magpie 