Adulting

The other day, my friend sent me a picture of her new front door.  It was accompanied with a  photo of her old door and progress shots of it being fitted.  She was so pleased with it, it had been a long time coming, made the front of her house complete, and the whole process had made her month.  This was coupled with the joy she felt that came with improving one's house and a job well done. Who knew that a new door could be so exciting!  Also being pleased that she had put money to one side for those jobs that don't offer glamour, but yet offer satisfaction.  Boring but necessary.   

What do you call this you ask?  Oh, let me tell you, it's called 'Adulting'!

It got me thinking, what pleases us now in middle age differs from the priorities we had in our twenties and no doubt it will change again in older age.  For example, last weekend,

I was rejoicing at my new branch lopper.  It has made my gardening tasks a whole lot easier - why didn't I buy one sooner?  I also renewed my insurance, at a much cheaper price than last year - I felt I was winning at life!

My 20-something year old self would be horrified that I now gain excitement from useful gardening tools rather than via an outfit from Jane Norman or Karen Millen (any other 90's retailer also apply in this case).  Our priorities change as our lives evolve.

Whilst I wish that sometimes life would be a smidgen more carefree, I am also accepting that my friends and I don't talk about nightclub sagas anymore, but swap intel on the best vitamins to take to keep ourselves focused, we send 'all the best' messages before we go for outpatient medical appointments/tests, and show each other photos of curtain material samples.    Times they have a-changed.

These are all classic cases of adulting, (or Padmin as I heard it called too- Personal Admin), that we share with each other, with pride and for reassurance, as we navigate our way through the challenges of middle age.  It is hard though, trying to ensure all the plates remain spinning and it is overwhelming at times.  It feels like a never ending to-do list of phone calls conducted on the sly when you are supposed to be doing something else.  Chasing down blood test results, trying to get hold the guy you hired last year to clean your gutters and at the same time, you are looking out of the window hoping that the weather will hold out so that your washing will dry on the line.

We can only do our best at any given time, yet time is something we don't have an awful lot of.    Easier said than done, but we must remember to pat ourselves on the back for constantly 'adulting' -  keeping a house running, managing families, ensuring our social diaries are brimming with dates, staying healthy, juggling work, and dealing with what the menopause will hit us with next - oh yeah, whilst still taking time out to admire each others' new doors!