My five favourite decades – how to live your best life!

Decades seem to come and go with rapid regularity – or is that just me?

What is your favourite decade?

Denyse has asked this question for #Lifethisweek and her post was very interesting with her choosing the 1960s as her favourite decade due to the large amount of change in her life at this time.

I immediately thought of the current decade, my 50s.  Why?

I am now:

• more confident in myself
• more happy with who I am
• more settled financially
• free of the stresses that go with working for a living
• a grandmother
• a blogger!

But then I thought of how much sadness this current decade has brought me – the loss of my career and so many of my loved ones – my brother-in-law, my father, my father-in-law, my sister’s recent breast cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment and how the ageing process marches on regardless of whether we’re ready for it or not.

I like to think of the happy moments to balance out the sadness and these include my daughters’ weddings, our many adventures, fun with family and friends, the birth of our granddaughter…

So upon reflection I think each decade has much to offer.  Off the top of my head these are my brief and immediate thoughts from each decade.

1960-70:

Being born into a loving family, growing up with my sister and brother, spending time with both sets of grandparents, cousins and friends, riding my bike, starting school, moving into our new house, moving schools, becoming a Brownie, being the tallest girl in the whole primary school (something I’m very proud of)!

1970-80: My teens

So much change and growth in this decade, which is funny because I stopped growing taller. I started High School, became a runner, enjoyed being a Girl Guide and then a Venturer, discovered AC/DC and ‘real’ music, met my husband to be, learnt to drive and got my driver’s licence, survived a tragic school excursion and received a Bravery Award from the Queen,  became an aunt, a bridesmaid, finished school and started working in a bank, became engaged, left home and moved to the city.

1980-90: My 20s

Got married, bought a house, renovated the house, had my three baby girls, became a Breastfeeding Counsellor, did it tough financially, made friends for life, spent time with my parents, grandparents and other relatives, supported my husband in his further education and touch football career, introduced our daughters to bike riding, our eldest daughter started school and we enjoyed spending time with friends.

1990-2000: My 30s

Moved our family to a small country town, daughters started school in a new town, made friends, then moved our family to England for a year’s Teacher Exchange when youngest was only three and a bit, had a great year travelling England and Europe in every spare moment, made friends for life, enjoyed parents visiting from Aus, returned home, bought a house, got a dog, then some chooks, then another dog and some ducks and a cat.  Teenage years with 3 girls was an experience I’d like to forget sometimes but they turned out fine.

Act mindfully, accept entirely, move strongly, think softly, speak beautifully, live simply, love completely

I became a Brownie leader then a Guide Leader and later the Regional representative. We became host parents to a Danish exchange student who is still a member of our family today.

Returned overseas with husband, leaving the girls with friends and relatives, then later in the decade took them all to Europe with us.  Much time spent enjoying time with family during this decade.

I had lots of jobs, a babysitter, a waitress, a check out chick, a personal assistant for a local business, an Adult Education Centre coordinator and then I started a job in Education in a minimum security correctional centre (prison) which became a long and rewarding career.

2000-2010: My 40s

I studied by distance education while working several part time jobs and raising my family and finally became a teacher (I’d always want ed to be one).  I progressed through the ranks in my job and took it all very seriously, attending conferences and learning as much as I could about educating prisoners to improve their lives after release.

I joined the local  Rotary Club. We travelled some more, the girls finished school and went onto university after all taking a GAP year overseas. We became empty nesters but continued involvement in youth based programs through Rotary.

I lost my grandparents during these years but realise I was lucky to have had them until I was in my 40s.

A favourite?

My daughters still want to know which of them is my favourite but of course I don’t play favourites and so it is with my decades.  Without all these experiences, and many more I’ve forgotten, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

I am happy now, all things considered, and although I’m fast approaching my 6th decade I don’t feel that different to how I felt all those years ago.  I’m happy with my choices throughout life, I consider myself fortunate with the family I am a part of and the family I have created with the Mathematician.

I can only look forward to what comes next.

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