Secrets of Adulthood- Day 30

 

“What can be done at any time is often done at no time.”

What is it about making a to-do list or writing something down on the calendar that makes a difference? I find that if it's written down, I'm more likely to do it. Having a deadline of sorts is very motivating. 

It's easy to put off what doesn't have to be done right now. However, putting it off indefinitely is never good. 

I've found my own Secret of Adulthood: no parent is telling you what you can and cannot do. It's all up to you now, and it's not always easy. 

Getting to bed on time, choosing healthy foods, and taking a daily walk now falls on your shoulders, not your parents'.

Little things like making a list or writing something on a calendar are a simple way to commit to a task. Checking something off also adds to a sense of accomplishment, which is a reward in itself.  

All in all, it's a habit that makes life better. 

Secrets of Adulthood- Day 29

 

“A quest is more fun than a jaunt.”

Honestly, I had to double-check the definition of jaunt. It is basically a short trip you take for fun. Which actually sounds quite enjoyable. 

A quest, on the other hand, is something you do over a longer period of time. 

As a matter of fact, quests have played an important part in my family’s life. When our daughter was in elementary school, we found ourselves traveling from store to store on a whim, looking for Pez candy dispensers. We continued this quest for several years, adding to our collection. 

As I mentioned before, my thimble collection has become a quest as we search far and wide for souvenir thimbles. 

Recently, I began a Golden Book quest, which has resulted in a pretty impressive collection. Vintage books found at the thrift store are the most fun.  

Recently, I've started a junk journal material quest. It's been a lot of fun looking for possible ephemera. (”Collectible paper or physical items that were originally created for a short-term, transient use and discarded after serving their immediate purpose, but have since been preserved.)

As you can see, adding a quest to your life can add an element of fun. It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated, just something you find intriguing.

Secrets of Adulthood- Day 28

 

“We can all arrive at the same destination, but we may get there by different roads.”

I love this. I remember being single in my twenties and wondering why I wasn't married or starting a family like most of my peers. However, today I have been married for over forty years, raised a beautiful daughter, and am a Mimi to three grandsons. Life turned out even better than I could have imagined. 

There definitely isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to life. I like being open to the possibilities around me. I remember in high school, my favorite poem was Robert Frost’s The Road Less Taken. 

As I've looked back on the path I've taken, I can't help but believe that I took his words to heart. 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Secrets of Adulthood-Day 27

 “By doing a little each day, you can accomplish a lot.”

This bit of advice is really good, but sadly not one that I do naturally. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person, so doing just a small amount is hard for me. I don't have the patience required and want instantaneous results. 

However, I do remember a time when I saw this very Secret of Adulthood work beautifully. When my husband was recovering from major surgery his doctors told him to walk one minute around the house on his first day home. They told us to increase the walk by minutes each day. Six weeks later he was walking at the mall at a fast clip for a full thirty minutes. 

It was pretty remarkable the progress he made literally step by step. 

This is a skill I want to develop. If I want to walk more, then adding on a few extra steps each day will result in more walking. Adding a few extra minutes of reading each day will result in more books read. 

I can't help but be reminded of Aesop’s Fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. The perseverance of the tortoise helps him win the race. Of course, the arrogance of the hare contributes to the win. 

A friend of mine reminded me, “Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life’s a cinch.” 

Secrets of Adulthood- Day 26

 

“Don't do something to make yourself feel better if it ends up making you feel worse.”

I suppose this is life's classic push and pull. 

Something upsets you, and you look for something to lift your spirits. It could be a myriad of things that make you feel better in the moment. 

Sadly, later on, you might regret the choice you made. That extra scoop of ice cream or missed day at the gym might seem like the thing to do at the time to make you feel better. Except if it changes your momentum toward a healthier lifestyle, then was it really worth it?

A slip-up here or there happens, but don't make it a habit when you are feeling down. 

Have a few pick-me-ups that you don't regret. One of my favorites is watching old videos of my grandkids. They are growing up so fast, and seeing them as little again always warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. 

Secrets of Adulthood- Day 25

 “If you're not sure how to have fun, ask yourself, “What did I do for fun when I was ten years old?”

I learned this Secret of Adulthood years ago. This nugget pairs nicely with “You can choose what you do, but you can't choose what you like to do.”

It turns out what you liked to do as a child often stays with you as you grow older. Of course, it may require a few tweaks as an adult. 

One of my favorite things to do at age ten was to color. I even remember having coloring contests with my friends. Today, I still enjoy coloring. At night, when I'm watching TV, I use nice-quality colored pencils and grown-up coloring books. The paper in these new coloring books is much better.  

I always enjoyed reading as a young girl, and I still do today. I loved riding my bike, but country living has made that almost impossible. That's probably a good thing!

I have a friend who loved to dance, and she still dances to this day. You may have enjoyed sports when you were young, and although you might not play them anymore, you can always attend a game to cheer on your favorite team. 

I remember my best friend and I writing mystery stories for fun when we were ten. Today, we both still write. 

What were the things you enjoyed doing as a child?

Secrets of Adulthood- Day 24

“Keep mementos that are small in size and few in number.”

I can’t say I have few in number, but my thimble collection definitely fits the small-in-size requirement. 

Forty-one years ago on my honeymoon to the Bahamas, I picked up a small thimble as a souvenir. Little did I realize that over the years I would collect many more from all the different places we would visit. 

I've even had friends and family bring me back thimbles from their vacations. 

Sadly, what I'm discovering now is that souvenir thimbles are becoming a thing of the past and they are difficult to find now. You’ll be happy to know that souvenir shot glasses are still plentiful and relatively small in size.