Hilary's Personal Blog
I like Boxing Day. After the busyness and noise it has a sense of calm and pause.
I find myself reflecting.
It’s when I start pulling together the bits and pieces of ideas and thoughts I’ve had over the last weeks.
When I think about what I’d like the new year to look like.
It’s a shame its not recognised in other places. They’re missing out.
On the one day where the noise drops and you notice what’s been sitting underneath the year.
Hx
I’m sitting on the sofa with my dog snuggled up next to me as I write.
What could be nicer?
She makes no demands or has any expectations of me.
She just nuzzles her nose into my arm and sleeps.
She is my cozy companion.
Hx
What did people use to do when they were sitting on their own in a cafe?
Read a newspaper? A book?
Just sit and think?
It’s rare to see that now.
We’re all on our phones or laptops.
Not much pure thinking going on…
Hx
I’d forgotten how when you have a dog with you, random strangers will stop and talk.
People who would otherwise not give you a second glance will smile.
The reason is a cute 8 months old bundle of labrador retriever energy.
And she responds to any attention by getting very excited.
A big waggy tail that makes her whole body move from side to side in a doggy salsa.
And because she is young and sweet natured, she gets away with it.
They say “can i say hello?”.
I say “yes but she’s very excitable”.
They say “oh I don’t mind, she’s gorgeous”.
Which she is.
My son was a master of excuses when he was at school.
For why he hadn’t done his homework.
For why he wasn’t revising for his test.
For why he missed games because he forgot to take his kit to school.
I used to say to him that a good excuse wasn’t worth all the effort – better to just do the thing instead.
And it’s still something that I need to remind myself when I’m making up a good excuse…
Hx
What you tell yourself isn’t always what you really believe.
Not deep down.
Not when it’s tested.
Not if you are really honest with yourself.
Reminding myself of this today.
I’ve noticed that when I decide to try or do something new, I feel an energy, an excitement to get it done.
But the danger comes around 2 weeks later.
When the honeymoon period wears off and I’m left with something that I have to keep doing.
It might have become a bit boring.
It might be hard.
There might be something else that’s caught my attention or imagination.
Some other shiny thing that is pulling me away.
If the thing I believed in 2 weeks ago is still worth doing, that is the time that I have to dig in and push through.
It’s cold but the sun is shining today.
Everyone seems happier, less grumpy.
Smiling as they walk along the road.
In England, blue skies and sunshine – that’s something to celebrate because it isn’t a given.
It’s feels like a treat. Everything seems better, brighter.
But I guess if it happened each and every day it wouldn’t be so special.
We’d take it for granted.
A flat white and a croissant is my favourite way to start the morning.
It puts me in a good mood.
But not just any old flat white. Or any old croissant.
The best one is from my local independent coffee shop.
I’m writing this now, sat in the window, the pup at my feet.
I’ve been coming here since lockdown, so 5 years.
She’s been coming here since she was 8 weeks old.
It’s now our special place and time.
