Nidhis.daily.blog

Category: forties

  • 40 before 40 – Part II

    The fuck it forties – a unique yet apt title by a friend who is almost finished sailing through her fourth decade around the sun. Maybe, maybe not, but anyways may your aging be as exciting as this time bucket list! So I am continuing to jot down the accomplishments that every woman should aim to get under her belt before turning 40.

    Do your bit for the nature. Afterall we got only one planet earth as there is no plan B. So start small by saving electricity, sorting your garbage, switching to sustainable products and practices. Then take some formal steps with like minded folks, the local community and be a sustainability champion whom people follow even IRL.

    Build basic knowledge of your spiritual scriptures. Maybe you are god-fearing, maybe you are not. In either ways, a good thorough read of your religious scriptures might leave you with a deep understanding of philosophy, way of life and a know-how of how to navigate daily life. So whatever be your spiritual awareness level today, consuming bite sized information would only add dimension to your aging!

    Do nothing day. Yes you heard it right, mark it on your calendars and swear by it. Think of it as a day of ‘paid time off’ from your role and titles. If you are a home-maker, do no chores on this day. If you are employed or self-employed, take a day off spend time on a hobby deeply. If you are a new mom, just ditch childcare and pamper yourself by stepping out in your finest outfits!

    Friend date. Because finding a date is hard work but friends are always here for you! So step out with your girlfriend and have a gala time.

    Bike. Or if you are a biker girl, gear up and push the pedal (or the gear). After all who doesn’t like the thrill of breeze in your hair, some sweat on the forehead and a freewheeling ride down the neighbourhood.

    Grow a plant. There is no greater wonder in the world than watching a living being grow. So sow some seeds or invest in a sapling from the friendly nursery and start nurturing the plant. Build it into your daily routine and be proud of keeping it alive & thriving as a responsible adult.

    Hike. Being in nature is a natural endorphin booster. A cheap and free dose of feel good with some cardio and fresh air to top it with.

    DIY. Build something with your own hands, from scratch. It could be as simple as an origami craft, a new recipe or a lovely crochet that you have saved on your pinterest board since long.

    Handywoman. Spend a day with the toolbox and go all around the house fixing all the loose screws & hanging nuts and bolts. As they say a stitch in time saves nine, derive some sense of accomplishment by being the lady version of a ‘handyman’.

    Face yoga. Aging but wanting to age with grace. Then find some good source of face yoga, the basic ones which use muscle pull without using fancy equipments or more investments than what you already have. & thank me later for saving you a million in face lifts and tucks which your dermatologist would have earned instead.

  • 40 before 40 – Part I

    The furious fourties – a decade where you are neither young nor old. More like a sandwich situation. The recount of my sisterhood who have hit this milestone of aging range from liberating to imprisoning. Seems the fourth decade around the sun is infact a double-edged sword. Forewarned is forearmed, so here is a time bucket list of accomplishments that every woman should aim to get under her belt before turning 40!

    Solo travel. From something as exotic as a mountain sojourn to something as reasonable as a stay-cation in the home city – being on your own hits differently. You are unattached from the various roles you play, rediscovering yourself as an individual. The quiet, the solitude, the unknown, the discoveries – you can own them all. Bonus – it does wonder for your self confidence.

    Meditate. While levitating seems out of the world but meditating can help channelise your blocked energies and find a vent out. A peaceful one where you can let go of your thoughts and train your mind for strength. So start practising a few minutes of quiet everyday, allow mindfulness to engulf you.

    Day out with the maiden family. Plan some block of time with your parents and siblings, just like old times. Bond over memories forgotten, rummage through childhood treasures or just spend time at leisure with each other cosying up over nostalgic food and wine. Bonus it’s a huge dopamine dose without burning hole in the pocket.

    Give back to society. Start finding means to volunteer your time and efforts. Chose a cause close to your heart – beach clean up, teaching underprivileged kids or caring for silver citizens. Deploy your skills at a not-for-profit organization and make the world around you a better place. One day at a time.

    Join a sports group. Pick up your favourite sport – indoor or outdoor and start bonding with like minded folks over it. Give yourself another social channel to mingle at and since it’s a game the cognitive and physiological benefits are yours to reap anyways.

    Find your poison

    Girls only itinerary. Invest in thrills and frills with your girl gang. Spend time with your sisterhood exploring diverse interests from wine-tasting to knitting to glamping. Splurge, spend or save – choice is yours. Idea is to cosy up with your favourite women and leave your worries behind.

    Try a new hobby. You think you can’t paint – then pick up a brush and learn. You think reading is too boring then join a bookclub. Or you find baking cumbersome, look for a baking guru whose sessions can inspire your inner pattiserrie. Giving a diverse, completely untried activity a hand unlocks new neural circuits in your brain. You never know it could even unleash a hidden Picasso or a nimble Nigella within you.

    Adrenaline adventure. Before you are labelled too old (or your knees give away) catch the thrills of jumping, gliding, crawling! Go on all fours or riding an ATV. Find a junkie sport and give it a shot. Afterall you won’t be this young forever so why wait.

    Teach something formally. Ofcourse you got skills, you got knowledge and you are armed with information then why withhold it. Pass it on to others formally, it could be handwriting, making pickes, a long forgotten art of embroidery or just public speaking. There are takers for everything in today’s world. This experience of putting yourself out there and imparting your skill is both liberating and learning at the same time.

    Downtime with your child before they turn a tween/teen. Perfect time to catch them ripe as the child is neither a dependent kid neither a superbly detached self-proclaimed teen sensation. Re-discover a theme park, join a night sky watching group or just go camping in the woods. Go painting at the beach or just run a movie marathon night. Create memories to last them a lifetime!