With 2023 in full swing, I’ve been happily continuing with my year of firsts, something I declared 2023 would be as I swam through the swamp of burnout recovery late last year.
This was going to be the year I was going to give things a go.
I would set anxiety aside and step up and out (as much as my body allowed me to).
It was also part of my goal to experience more joy in my life. Something I’d promised myself after ending 2022 in a bit of a heap and finally finding the answers to my daily feelings of, at times, all-encompassing overwhelm (hello, ADHD diagnosis at 45).
My year of firsts has included:
- BBL cricket games (including the awesome final),
- watercolour painting via Zoom (a brilliant, low-energy-expending was to learn),
- pottery,
- cacking myself (that’s laughing really heavily in non-Aussie speak) while playing 80s retro video games on a night out with friends,
- a trip to Adelaide,
- working with an ADHD coach,
- cooking dishes I’ve never made or eaten before,
- stepping up into roles I had once checked myself out of, or
- my latest experience, candle-making.
What has stood out to me has been how immersive the experiences have been.
Opportunities to tune out of the stream of thoughts and busyness of life and into what was in front of me.
Whether it was losing horribly to my brother, husband, and friend in Daytona,
or
Mixing the right amount of hot wax and scent to make candles I’m looking forward to burning,
or
Cheering as the Perth Scorchers won the final nail-biting game in the BBL season (that’s cricket for all of those not in the know).
Those feelings of hilarity, creativity, anxiety, fear, purpose and stretching beyond your comfort zone… without even realising it.
Life spent being in the moment.
And honestly, most of the time, we’ve forgotten about our phones and taking photos.
These moments have all been incredibly special, and I cannot wait for more.
I invite you to join me in my year of firsts. It’s as simple as finding something you’d like to try and doing it!
And if you’d like some support to find more joy, creativity and energy in your life, get in touch with me. to learn how I can support you.
