I used to spend so much time wishing days away, counting down until Andy returned from deployments or training exercises. I’d sit at the kitchen table, calendar open, marking off birthdays, anniversaries, bank holidays, and school terms—anything to make the wait feel shorter. I lived life in chunks, always waiting for that magical day when everything felt normal again.
But something shifted as I reached my 60s. Suddenly, I’m desperately holding onto every moment, every laugh, every family get-together as if they were precious gems slipping through my fingers. Funny, isn’t it? Years spent eager for tomorrow, and now I’d give anything for just one more today.
Did you realise the average human lifespan is only about 4,000 weeks? Just 4,000 Saturdays, 4,000 Sunday mornings, 4,000 weekends to truly enjoy life. When you put it that way, spending even one weekend glued to the sofa watching reruns (no judgment—I’ve been there too!) feels like a missed opportunity.
Starting my own business taught me the importance of small victories. Every tiny task completed—every tick on my to-do list—is a step closer to achieving dreams I never thought possible. My secret? Early mornings. I rise at 5am, coffee mug in hand (because trust me, no one wants to see Lotty pre-coffee), breeze through chores like dishes and bed-making, then check on my hilariously pampered chickens who demand their sunflower seeds already peeled (talk about diva birds!). Then it’s straight into my productive zone, often still in pyjamas—don’t judge, creativity doesn’t require formal wear!
In the afternoon, I carve out moments just for me—tending my garden, baking, reading, or creating stop-motion adventures with Weebert. I’ve realised self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s necessary. It helps me reconnect with myself, making me better prepared for the journey ahead.
If you’re out there, wishing days away, waiting for life to start or longing for someone to return, take it from me: stop. Breathe. Cherish the chaos. Embrace every beautifully imperfect moment.
Your future self will thank you, I promise.
Lotty x
