I've settled on "foundation" as my guiding word / mantra for 2024. My living situation has been very unsettled for more years than I can hardly believe. I think I was looking for my "place" - talk about hard work. It's surprisingly hard to get on with your goals and projects when you don't have a stable base - it's all Maslow's hierarchy of needs stuff! Now I am a homeowner for the first time in my life (at last, at age 44!) and I feel I can finally settle into a proper routine and a place of reliable calm and headspace. It's taking some getting used to though! I spent a fair bit of the new year period brainstorming my projects (amazing to even have the time and space to do that!) and things to do to get them done. Currently trialling "Motion", an AI productivity app, to help with my routine and focus. Review forthcoming! Thanks for another great post - as another commenter said, I'm all for reading more about living better!
Had to look up Maslow's hierarchy of needs, am slightly embarrassed to admit. Sounds fascinating - will read more. And looking forward to hearing how you get on with Motion.
Foundation is a good solid word that we all need in our lives. Wishing you much happiness in your new home.
So sorry to hear that Deborah. That is an acutely painful anniversary but yes keeping taking small steps to do things that give you pleasure. I'll keep looking out for good places
I’m on the hunt for similar places - my husband died suddenly last October and travel was one of our things. I’ve had to cancel 4 trips we were planning to take so am looking at where now. Eating alone seems the hardest bit.
I'm so sorry Anne. If I can tentatively make a suggestion be good to yourself and take it in stages rather than booking up a major trip at this stage. Although I'm a fan of solo travelling it's taken me several years to get to this point after my husband died. So maybe start with a night reasonably close to home, progress to a weekend then plan longer trips as you gain confidence. I found a mixture of travelling solo and dropping in on friends worked particularly well. I also wouldn't rule out going with a group particularly for longer, more adventurous trips. Best of luck!
I have been given a Quo Vadis voucher for Christmas ... the condition being I have to book a table for one. ... so I’m planning to be brave and book lunch in January! 🤞
YES to all of this! That sounds like an absolutely blissful treat. As for my phrase for the year, it’s solvitur ambulando - it is solved by walking. I need to get back in the habit.
Kristen, this is brilliant! I have been struggling with how to incorporate “walking” into my word / mantra for the year, and I am absolutely inspired by your phrase - solvitur ambulando - and hope you don’t mind my co-opting it! Thank you for sharing it. And, Fiona, I just discovered your work - thank you for your wise words.
So happy to hear it resonates with you too! It’s such a powerful phrase, I’ve even considered getting it as a tattoo. Here’s to a good year of walking.
I love this. I’m totally here for reading any words about living better you have to share - I very much admire how you live so enthusiastically and fully, even if - or should i say especially as - there are moments you need to give yourself a talking to to do it. Happy New Year and thank you
Thank you Fiona, knowing from you that's it's okay to be nervous helps. I'm doing good, from beginning off last year to now I'm proud of myself. This lady is going for 2024 as her year lol 😂 from Greta.
It sounds like a very satisfying trip and you’ve inspired me to book something on my own in 2024. I keep reading pieces on this subject and I don’t know if I’m drawn to them because I’m thinking about it, or whether it’s a sign, but either way I’d like to do it! It sounds reviving!
Couldn’t agree more with your mantra for 2024! I now travel without my husband (because he doesn’t enjoy it) and quite happily take myself off to the theatre etc on my own rather than miss out because no one will come with me. Carpe diem!
I've been travelling solo for decades now- both for work and pleasure. And I often travel with friends, family or partners. As much as I love travelling with others and sharing experiences, there is something to be said for travelling on your own. You can do what you want when you want, you can have a long luxurious dinner, with a book and bottle of wine. It gives you time to think and be as quiet or as social with strangers as you like. Glad to hear that you've enjoyed your solo trip, and hopefully you'll keep treating yourself!
I absolutely love this Fiona! The idea of a solo trip is incredibly appealing to me, though not at the right moment in my life for that right now. But I do think it’s wonderful that you did this and isn’t the Three Horseshoes a treat!?? Sounds like a very dreamy couple of days and love the mantra to grab life by the horns. Such sad news about Bill Granger. Xxx
Another great post Fiona! Seizing the day is so important, you can get so bogged down with the mundane! Please continue to recommend places, we’ve just bought a motorhome which we intend to use massively for the next five years and plan to incorporate gorgeous places to eat….Paternoster Farm on 2 January!
This was so wonderful Fiona. I so agree that the topics of solo living and self sufficiency are important ones. Love your trip, and have done similar ones myself. Thank you for writing this.
Fiona it's weird I wrote my first post end of 2023 about how I've booked my first proper solo holiday too Sth France 2024! I'm extremely strong but very nervous about it! I did everything with my husband, obvious I had lot's & lots of girlie time with friends but he was the one who organised many trips. Anyway happy 2024 to you & all from Greta
It's also nice to have a regular spot you visit alone (it was the amazing Swan pub in Rowberrow for me, where I tried to stay whilst away with work), where you get to know the people who work there. And then it's always nice to take friends and family to those places too!
I've settled on "foundation" as my guiding word / mantra for 2024. My living situation has been very unsettled for more years than I can hardly believe. I think I was looking for my "place" - talk about hard work. It's surprisingly hard to get on with your goals and projects when you don't have a stable base - it's all Maslow's hierarchy of needs stuff! Now I am a homeowner for the first time in my life (at last, at age 44!) and I feel I can finally settle into a proper routine and a place of reliable calm and headspace. It's taking some getting used to though! I spent a fair bit of the new year period brainstorming my projects (amazing to even have the time and space to do that!) and things to do to get them done. Currently trialling "Motion", an AI productivity app, to help with my routine and focus. Review forthcoming! Thanks for another great post - as another commenter said, I'm all for reading more about living better!
Had to look up Maslow's hierarchy of needs, am slightly embarrassed to admit. Sounds fascinating - will read more. And looking forward to hearing how you get on with Motion.
Foundation is a good solid word that we all need in our lives. Wishing you much happiness in your new home.
Sounds just perfect! Food for thought - thank you xx
Fiona, so wise. My husband died suddenly a year today. I am out and about but not yet replicating our lovely times away over our 40 years together.
I live in Cambridge and would value other ideas of places to go away for the night.
Here’s to a happier 2024 x
So sorry to hear that Deborah. That is an acutely painful anniversary but yes keeping taking small steps to do things that give you pleasure. I'll keep looking out for good places
I’m on the hunt for similar places - my husband died suddenly last October and travel was one of our things. I’ve had to cancel 4 trips we were planning to take so am looking at where now. Eating alone seems the hardest bit.
I'm so sorry Anne. If I can tentatively make a suggestion be good to yourself and take it in stages rather than booking up a major trip at this stage. Although I'm a fan of solo travelling it's taken me several years to get to this point after my husband died. So maybe start with a night reasonably close to home, progress to a weekend then plan longer trips as you gain confidence. I found a mixture of travelling solo and dropping in on friends worked particularly well. I also wouldn't rule out going with a group particularly for longer, more adventurous trips. Best of luck!
I have been given a Quo Vadis voucher for Christmas ... the condition being I have to book a table for one. ... so I’m planning to be brave and book lunch in January! 🤞
What a brilliant idea! Sure it’ll be great!
YES to all of this! That sounds like an absolutely blissful treat. As for my phrase for the year, it’s solvitur ambulando - it is solved by walking. I need to get back in the habit.
"solvitur ambulando" - I love this!!
Words to live by!
Oh, I absolutely LOVE that!
Kristen, this is brilliant! I have been struggling with how to incorporate “walking” into my word / mantra for the year, and I am absolutely inspired by your phrase - solvitur ambulando - and hope you don’t mind my co-opting it! Thank you for sharing it. And, Fiona, I just discovered your work - thank you for your wise words.
So happy to hear it resonates with you too! It’s such a powerful phrase, I’ve even considered getting it as a tattoo. Here’s to a good year of walking.
That would be unbelievably cool!
In the meantime (and more realistically!), I’d love to get it inscribed on the inside of a bracelet.
I love this. I’m totally here for reading any words about living better you have to share - I very much admire how you live so enthusiastically and fully, even if - or should i say especially as - there are moments you need to give yourself a talking to to do it. Happy New Year and thank you
Thank YOU, Mark. Much appreciated. It's really trial and error isn't it? No-one tells you how to live well
Thank you Fiona, knowing from you that's it's okay to be nervous helps. I'm doing good, from beginning off last year to now I'm proud of myself. This lady is going for 2024 as her year lol 😂 from Greta.
It sounds like a very satisfying trip and you’ve inspired me to book something on my own in 2024. I keep reading pieces on this subject and I don’t know if I’m drawn to them because I’m thinking about it, or whether it’s a sign, but either way I’d like to do it! It sounds reviving!
I think the more normal it gets the more comfortable we’ll all feel. You go for it!
Couldn’t agree more with your mantra for 2024! I now travel without my husband (because he doesn’t enjoy it) and quite happily take myself off to the theatre etc on my own rather than miss out because no one will come with me. Carpe diem!
Sometimes it's just so complicated to align diaries and preferences it's easier to do it on your own. So good for you!
And, as you say, sometimes more enjoyable as you have no one to think of other than yourself.
I've been travelling solo for decades now- both for work and pleasure. And I often travel with friends, family or partners. As much as I love travelling with others and sharing experiences, there is something to be said for travelling on your own. You can do what you want when you want, you can have a long luxurious dinner, with a book and bottle of wine. It gives you time to think and be as quiet or as social with strangers as you like. Glad to hear that you've enjoyed your solo trip, and hopefully you'll keep treating yourself!
Oh I will and so glad you enjoy it too!
I absolutely love this Fiona! The idea of a solo trip is incredibly appealing to me, though not at the right moment in my life for that right now. But I do think it’s wonderful that you did this and isn’t the Three Horseshoes a treat!?? Sounds like a very dreamy couple of days and love the mantra to grab life by the horns. Such sad news about Bill Granger. Xxx
I know! Very sad indeed. He was so talented and had so much to offer.
Your time will come, Rosie but in the meantime carry on doing what you do so very well 😘
Another great post Fiona! Seizing the day is so important, you can get so bogged down with the mundane! Please continue to recommend places, we’ve just bought a motorhome which we intend to use massively for the next five years and plan to incorporate gorgeous places to eat….Paternoster Farm on 2 January!
Ooo, hadn't heard of that. Sounds lovely. Have a great stay!
This was so wonderful Fiona. I so agree that the topics of solo living and self sufficiency are important ones. Love your trip, and have done similar ones myself. Thank you for writing this.
Thanks Georgette. Just wanted to share the experience as so many people are afraid to do things on their own.
Fiona it's weird I wrote my first post end of 2023 about how I've booked my first proper solo holiday too Sth France 2024! I'm extremely strong but very nervous about it! I did everything with my husband, obvious I had lot's & lots of girlie time with friends but he was the one who organised many trips. Anyway happy 2024 to you & all from Greta
It's fine to be nervous but I'm so glad to hear you're doing that. Good for you and have a great year
It's also nice to have a regular spot you visit alone (it was the amazing Swan pub in Rowberrow for me, where I tried to stay whilst away with work), where you get to know the people who work there. And then it's always nice to take friends and family to those places too!
Very good point I love the idea of a place where they know you and welcome you however you arrive - alone or with friends
Well said. Just do it!