It’s been a busy few weeks with going back to work and finding a new routine but I think we are getting there and I’m feeling like we have a new normal again. A few months ago I had a major panic about how I would juggle it all and was convinced i wouldn’t be able to do it. A very wise person talked me through it and assured me that once I was in the swing of things, it would all be fine. There are definitely days where it’s gone wrong. Two little kids that don’t quite understand timeliness just yet is bound to do that sometimes, but i think I owe that very wise person some chocolates and a hug.
I’ve also had a huge “Oh shit, this is my life!” clap of thunder moment this week. I think it’s been slowly creeping up if I’m honest and it finally hit me that this…is…it. Remember when you were a teen and wondered where your life was going? It was all a huge mystery and my friend would say how she’d love a sneaky peek at her book of life to see who she would end up with, what life would be like, what she’d be when she grew up. I’ve realised that this is it. My life. It’s both a bit shocking in a good way and shocking in an unnerving way. I know I’m very lucky to have got this far but I don’t know what comes after the “conventional” milestones. Do we now just decide what we want to do of our own accord? And do people just wing it from here on in? Is this what’s known as a midlife crisis? Just to put it out there…I’m far too young for one yet (*cough*), but I can imagine this is what one would feel like. I think work may have triggered this pondering slightly when i was asked how I’d like to progress in my career and I just looked a bit blank because I’m not quite sure. After a year of intense maternity leave I suddenly have a tiny bit of time to think about myself and I don’t know where to start.
I do know I want to see lots more of the world at least, and with that in mind we are jetting off for some winter half term sun to Abu Dhabi. I was very tempted by Barcelona but we looked a bit more afield for some warmer weather, and then even more afield, until we ended up booking a holiday 8 whole hours away, with a baby. Eeeek. The Other Half talked me into it after promising to look after our super inquisitive 1 year old for the entire flight. I’ve so far reminded him of this about 13 times. We’ve armed ourselves with an iPad full of Mr Tumble though and we are hoping for the best. Pray for us.
In the meantime, we’ve been enjoying walks and looking at all the pretty colours watching the bossy ducks who follow us for food. Z keeps wanting to take all the leaves home. I have a boot full of them now and feel a bit like a weird thief, stealing from all our local parks. We found a secret conkers tree the other day and collected loads. At least, I think it’s a secret tree as it’s got such a good stash of them at this late stage of autumn. I think this season might be starting to win me over.
If this is it, then it’s not too shabby, is it?! Now, you kind of have to sit back and enjoy everything … like far flung family holidays!! Have the best time xx
Thanks so much, it’s been a lovely few days here. And done lots of thinking…and I’m none the wiser
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Love all the autumn colours in your photos! I think those “this is it” moments always take us by surprise and make us think more about what we want – my approach is just to wing it for now I think! Hope you have a wonderful time in Abu Dhabi and hope that the flight goes well – Mr Tumble on the iPad sounds like a very good plan! 🙂
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…My Sunday Photo 30/10/16
Thank you!! I really like the idea of just winging it. That way you can pretty much do what you enjoy eh? 🙂
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Beautiful sets of photos. Thanks goodness, we’re not the only one with boot full of autumn leaves. lol
Hehe we’ve come away on holiday so I think the bag of leaves has now been in my boot for over a week!
Gorgeous photos, what wonderful scenery you have and perfect autumn colours. Definitely too young for a midlife crises but a little space to evaluate life is never a bad thing.
Coombemill recently posted…Ghost Train Spooktacular for Halloween
Thank you!! I definitely don’t want a sports car so maybe this isn’t a midlife crisis just yet x
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Love your pictures Tas, and I think it’s probably normal to feel like this after going back to work after 12 months. And agree you are far too young for a midlife crisis. Have an amazing half term break and catching up with your friend. I would go and sit in first class after your husband has promised to look after E, he he x
Tracey Williams recently posted…Sunday Photo – Birthday Water Zorbing
Hehe thanks Tracey. Ohhhh if only I could sit in first class. One day maybe though 🙂
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Really gorgeous pics, the colours are so vivid. I think you have a lot more years before you can claim a midlife crisis (then you can buy an open topped sports car and all will be well again) 🙂
Tara recently posted…My Sunday Photo – Week 43.
Haha!! I’m pretty sure I now want a Ferrari after we visited Ferrari world here. I just need a drive big enough to park it now.
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Great images. I love the picture of mushrooms in particular. Our kids also want to bring all the leaves home, though I’m not sure why. As for the midlife crisis, don’t bother. I had one at 19 and swore I’d never have another!
John Adams recently posted…When a tree has low hanging branches, climb it
Haha lots do say the same thing. It sounds like it just costs a lot of money on splurges more than anything!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Gorgeous autumn photos!
I think I had similar thoughts when I went back to work after my daughter. When you’re married, you’ve got a job and you’ve finished having babies, there’s a lot of life still left to live and, in some ways, not that much to look forward to. It’s just reality – nothing big is going to happen. Luckily kids keep growing and changing and throwing lots of spanners in the works, so life is never boring!
Have a lovely holiday and I really hope the OH looks after the baby for the whole flight!
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…Silent Sunday 30.10.16
I like that life is never boring. So many people have said they went through the same thing so I’m glad it’s a very normal feeling to have!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Beautiful photos, I love all the Autumn colours. My girls always bring back leaves and sticks
Thank you for linking up
Photalife recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Sheffield Park
I get the feeling we’ll be bringing home more colourful leaves over the next few weeks whilst they’re still around!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Fabulous photos! Good luck with the flight
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays recently posted…HORSEY GAP
Thanks so much. It was ok coming so now we just need to hope the baby sleeps on the way home!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Beautiful photos…I hope the flight goes well x
Kim Carberry recently posted…My letter to Someone. #Blogtober16
Thanks Kim!! We were really lucky on the way here and the baby slept for some of it. Just need to come back now 🙂
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Such beautiful autumnal photos! Captured all the colours and warmth in what is a cold time #mysundayphoto
Martyn recently posted…My Sunday Photo 30/10/16
It’s so beautiful right now isn’t it? I’ll be sad to see all the colours go!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
It sounds like are adjusting and getting used to it all. Those autumn photos are simply stunning x
RachelSwirl recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Changes
Thank you!! I really love the colours and beauty of Autumn but I really don’t like the cold. I get all bah humbug about it!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
That fungus photo is amazing! I’m starting to be won over by Autumn as well – at least it’s better than winter! #MySundayPhoto
Sharon Parry recently posted…Welsh cakes on Penarth pier – timeless pleasures
Oh most definitely. I would love to just hibernate through all of winter!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Love your mushroom shot, they’re strangely beautiful. Really noticing them at the moment.
The way you’re feeling sounds so familiar. In fact, still get that unsettling, is this it? feeling, and I’m definitely the right age for a midlife crisis! But try to use it positively now, like a challenge, to push me out of my comfort zone. Occasionally works! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Good time to reflect when you’re away from home x
A Patchwork Life recently posted…Bad timing… Sunday photo
They really are aren’t they? I keep finding random little magical looking clusters of them! I like the idea of new challenges. I think I need to find one!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Hope you have an amazing time in Abu Dhabi! Autumn will still be waiting for you when you return.
Nell (the Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Our highlights of Brittany video
Thanks Nell. It’s been really lovely here so far!! I wish we could stay another week but alas, school and work beckon!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Love these photos and I’m glad to hear you’re coming round to Autumn, it’s the best 😉 I’m loving seeing your photos from your holiday on IG and yes it is very brave to do that flight with them both but you are seasoned travellers now so might as well make the most of it! Haha, I love you’re this is my life moment…I’m not sure I’m there yet as at some point I will have to go back to work and find a career which is much more daunting!! Hope you have a great holiday Tas xx
Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Afternoon Tea in Liverpool – Marco Pierre White
Thanks so much Hayley :). We were lucky on the flight here and we’re hoping it’s the same going home. I want to stay a few extra days though!! 🙂
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
I often have moments like this- I guess thats why I’m having another baby if that makes sense. Although I can’t carry having babies forever! One day il have to figure out what’s our there for me…..just not yet!! Autumn is just beautiful. Hope your having a lovely holiday xxx
Natalie recently posted…What I’ve been loving in October
I know exactly what you mean. It feels quite final closing the baby chapter. Hope you and bump are doing well x
Notmyyearoff recently posted…The “This is my life” moment
Tas I LOVE this post I often think if I could have peeked to my life as it is, or was over the last 20 years as a teen I would have been happy and excited. If I had seen as a newly wed my life now I would have been thrilled and not worried as much about life, etc. Go with the flow beautiful, life evolves as the kids grow, I cant wait to read about you trip too x
Sarah Christie recently posted…A Quick Catch Up, My Weekly Round Up
Stunning photos, use it as simply a time where you rediscover you, what makes you passionate. Always so important to self reflect. You are an incredible writer x
Honestmum recently posted…Track Fertility With Natural Cycles App & Win 3 X 6 Month Subscription
What beautiful photos. You will get back, there honey. You are amazing, talented and you. Don’t be too hard on yourself x
Susan Mann recently posted…Top Tips for Creating Magical Photo Christmas Cards