Almost two years ago, I made myself a kind of motivation board. Times were kinda hard – they had been for a while so there was work to be done just to dig us back out of the hole we were in. But it felt as though there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. And that meant there were things to look forward to.
In fact, it felt as though the repair work was going to take even more strength than it had taken to be at the bottom. And so, I made a board with the help of Pinterest and some freebie bit of software and it has been on my desktop ever since. Some days I don’t notice it. But most days something therein catches my eye and makes me smile.
Tonight I stopped and really looked. I took in each image and thought about what it had represented.
In fact, it felt as though the repair work was going to take even more strength than it had taken to be at the bottom. And so, I made a board with the help of Pinterest and some freebie bit of software and it has been on my desktop ever since. Some days I don’t notice it. But most days something therein catches my eye and makes me smile.
Tonight I stopped and really looked. I took in each image and thought about what it had represented.
The Yellow Fiat 126
Not quite a 126 but I am now the proud owner of a lovely little yellow car that makes me smile every single time I see it. It was a combination of necessity – we needed a second car to enable us to both work – and personal expression. I was determined that the two could be sought together and I was right. Sometimes it is worth persevering to get what you really want.
Iceland
My daughter had a ludicrously expensive school trip on the horizon and, although we had no real idea how we were going to manage it, we were determined to find the money somehow. We were only responsible for half the cost – shared with her dad – but even so, it was an absolute fortune. She doesn’t have any clubs or hobbies to shell out for so it felt reasonable. Despite all odds, we did it!
Rioja
Being able to afford the occasional bottle of my favourite tipple. Many an evening has been spent in the most satisfying company, sharing a bottle (or several) whilst putting the world to rights, planning a fantasy life within our little bubble, or just feeling the warm glow both inside and out.
Not quite a 126 but I am now the proud owner of a lovely little yellow car that makes me smile every single time I see it. It was a combination of necessity – we needed a second car to enable us to both work – and personal expression. I was determined that the two could be sought together and I was right. Sometimes it is worth persevering to get what you really want.
Iceland
My daughter had a ludicrously expensive school trip on the horizon and, although we had no real idea how we were going to manage it, we were determined to find the money somehow. We were only responsible for half the cost – shared with her dad – but even so, it was an absolute fortune. She doesn’t have any clubs or hobbies to shell out for so it felt reasonable. Despite all odds, we did it!
Rioja
Being able to afford the occasional bottle of my favourite tipple. Many an evening has been spent in the most satisfying company, sharing a bottle (or several) whilst putting the world to rights, planning a fantasy life within our little bubble, or just feeling the warm glow both inside and out.
 | Paris My soulmate in City form. I lived there many years ago and it has never left me. Finally, in August, I made it back there some six years (and two children) since my previous visit. It reignites my entire being. I shine when I am there – when I even think about being there. Spending five days there felt like a lifetime and reunited me with parts of my spirit I didn’t even realise were missing. |
That Yellow Dress
It might not seem like much but I needed that dress the minute I first saw it. I don’t often buy clothes for myself and when I do it is usually out of sheer necessity. Having little money meant that even the relatively modest price tag was out of reach. Once our financial position hit an equilibrium, I re-visited it several times but still didn’t feel I could justify the purchase. Finally, last night, I went ahead and ordered it.
Samsung Edge
As a technophile, I was struggling to manage with my old decrepit phone. Yes, part of it was pure consumerism. Part of it was attraction to beautiful design. Nevertheless, once we had the chance to finally upgrade to a new, shiny device, I was straight there with bells on.
It might not seem like much but I needed that dress the minute I first saw it. I don’t often buy clothes for myself and when I do it is usually out of sheer necessity. Having little money meant that even the relatively modest price tag was out of reach. Once our financial position hit an equilibrium, I re-visited it several times but still didn’t feel I could justify the purchase. Finally, last night, I went ahead and ordered it.
Samsung Edge
As a technophile, I was struggling to manage with my old decrepit phone. Yes, part of it was pure consumerism. Part of it was attraction to beautiful design. Nevertheless, once we had the chance to finally upgrade to a new, shiny device, I was straight there with bells on.
Kefalonia
My best friend decided, finally, to get married. In the Lake District. But then it all changed! And the very first thing the two of them did – before they had got any further than the ‘What if we got married overseas?’-stage, they were on the phone to see if there was any way we would be able to afford it. So, I immediately said yes. We would, of course, find a way. Again, with hard work, clever juggling, and a fair wind, we got there! It was perfect and worth waiting the hundred years they’d been together.
What’s left?
I am yet to find myself a yellow (or any colour) Jensen Interceptor and haven’t yet purchased the yellow Louboutins but at least that gives me something to continue to strive for.
And what was the point of all this? No, it wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about buying stuff. It has given me a way of measuring, of remembering where we have come from and got to. In the process, we have shared experiences and precious times with family and friends. And with each other.
I feel a little daunted at the realisation I need to create a new motivation board now and I have no idea currently where I should start…
What would be on yours?
My best friend decided, finally, to get married. In the Lake District. But then it all changed! And the very first thing the two of them did – before they had got any further than the ‘What if we got married overseas?’-stage, they were on the phone to see if there was any way we would be able to afford it. So, I immediately said yes. We would, of course, find a way. Again, with hard work, clever juggling, and a fair wind, we got there! It was perfect and worth waiting the hundred years they’d been together.
What’s left?
I am yet to find myself a yellow (or any colour) Jensen Interceptor and haven’t yet purchased the yellow Louboutins but at least that gives me something to continue to strive for.
And what was the point of all this? No, it wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about buying stuff. It has given me a way of measuring, of remembering where we have come from and got to. In the process, we have shared experiences and precious times with family and friends. And with each other.
I feel a little daunted at the realisation I need to create a new motivation board now and I have no idea currently where I should start…
What would be on yours?
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