Valentines day is almost upon us and I half thought about regaling you with dating disasters from days gone past. There was at least a story to tell at the end of any, usually very short lived, attempt to find a significant other. And whilst never say never when it comes to dating, I’m more about enjoying my life as it is and in honour of that here are the 5 things I’m loving right now.

01

Travel Planning

its my 50th birthday soon and I’m determined to get a few trips in the calendar. So far theres a trip to Amsterdam – its on my 50 things list to make my own Tony’s Chocolonely bar which I’m told is possible at their factory / shop type thing. And then there’s Paris with the friends I’ve known the longest and I’m loving the suggestions so far – going to the shop to write a letter to our future selves and making a lipstick has made it onto the list too. Exciting….(there’s also potentially Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium and maybe a quick Caribbean trip, I feel so lucky!)

02

Dancing

Running took up my focus in January but I’m back at dance class on the dance floor, its such a freeing form of exercise. Yes, I’m meant to follow a routine – and I try to which is as much a work out for my brain as the rest of my body – but its also just fun. And a good way to switch off my busy mind.

Whatever the exercise – I swear by these Sweaty Betty Power Leggings.

03

Trying Out New Restaurants

Its on my 50 things list to try 1 new-to-me restaurant a month and this week I tried out Stem. A chef-led British bistro and wine bar serving seasonal British food. It was lovely.

Where next, that’s the question?

04

Life Drawing Class

I used to do life drawing classes weekly as a teenager desperate to get into fashion college. I think back then I didn’t really know how to enjoy it. I would tightly draw every detail and worry if it didn’t resemble the person in front of me. The class I went to recently was my more relaxed, maybe the pressure was off, maybe its an age thing but I sort of didn’t care if it didn’t look perfect at the end. We had some great new tips from Bella Franks from Bellas Bits and Bobs and I’m holding out for their next session.

I find immersing myself in creativity just so restorative.

05

Getting Together with Friends

This has been one of my favourite things recently – a birthday, a group of girls and an outdoor sauna proved the perfect catch up. An impromptu gathering at a friends with the purpose of me sorting the soon to be big birthday celebrations. A knitting circle – a Sunday afternoon, tea, cake, knitting project and good company.

Community and connection are fundamental to our wellbeing, especially as we get older.

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