I am one of those readers who a) has multiple books on the go at the same time (I rarely finish any) and b) who will often flick through a non-fiction book and start reading where it looks most interesting and c) who attends the book club for the social aspect rather than the actual books.
So, calling the blog Chapter 4 seems very natural, but I do recognize for others will require some explanation.
Walking away from all the key blocks of your life – house, location, work at a similar time is either a time for sheer panic, great planning or to ‘see what lands and what happens next’ – and I’ve plumped for the latter. Stepping away, I am asking myself a lot of why’s, what’s, what ifs and probably totally over complicating things. From my musings I have realised that I am at a pivotal point and that if I choose to do so my priorities can significantly change.
This all requires much more work, but in essence my first three chapters were as follows:
Chapter 1 – youth, fun, growth and exploration
Chapter 2 – adulthood, love, my own family and stability
Chapter 3 – survival, adaptation, single parenting, career
Chapter 4 – happenstance and sustainability are my intended guiding principles, but the reality may differ
And I guess that after Chapter 4 there might be two more chapters? -Consolidation and then perhaps endings … but let’s see how this life continues to roll…
Although I’ve always avoided detailed plans, and I am not guided by any religious doctrine, I have often created my own ‘strategy’ or principles for parts of my life. Being a ‘great’ (ironic) overthinker I can talk myself into and out of the same thing within about 60 seconds, so having something to ‘hang’ my life on has helped. When I say ‘helped’ the best analogy is that I’ve placed one of those lovely bentwood hat stands in the hallway of my life so I know where to hang and find my coats. But in practice most of the coats have generally landed in that part of the hallway and few are neatly hung on the stand.
In the past I’ve had dating strategies – aka how to stay sane through the pitfalls of online data, and personal mantras to help guide my decisions.
I’m now entering a new chapter where the children are largely self-reliant and sufficient, where I don’t have to earn so much, wanting a job that makes a real difference and realizing that if I want to fulfil any of those ‘pipedreams’ I’d better get a move on…
I realise that once again I need something to steer my life. Basing Chapter 4 on happenstance and sustainability, whilst potentially conflicting themes, these represent a merger of my past modus operandi with what should, and soon will, be everyone’s major focus. I hope that I can adopt and demonstrate a sustainable way of living which in some way benefits myself, my family and friends and wider community.
Chapter 4 