Sure There’s Always Next Year

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The year flew didn’t it

I bet some of the young wans here didn’t realise how fast time is capable of actually travelling when they see this is exactly 51 weeks on from this column

So here’s the annual return.

In terms of the promises I put out there; here’s some achievements.

Coffee is pretty much gone save for the odd stop off at the Costa or Topaz when I’m on the road. And on that the Sweet Treats for a yoyo deal are gone too. They don’t even get a look in and its Americanos only. The hot beverages consist of Puerh Tay mostly with Rooibus in the evenings.

My water intake is still not at the 3 – 4 litres a day but I am getting there and am working on it. In fairness the drinking was top loaded over the latter part of August, as ye well know it was my 50th so things went on a bit. But overall I’d say alcohol since probably

April is a quarter of what I would have supped this time last year. And I hope to drop that even further. Incidentally nights out are now only bottles of Coors Light. No top shelf or cocktails or pints.

And interestingly, I don’t need to pay attention to it anymore, I just stop automatically. Which is a standard I never would have envisioned this time last year.

No more Drive -Thrus either since say January; the only Maccy D’s since then was treating Fluffy to a Happy Meal a few weeks ago and of course I kept him company. Takeaways are so rare now that they are recognised as a treat and not the normal recourse for Dinner.

That Mezzanine level I talked about last year, well it is down a bit, but not enough. I am in the process of getting tested as my GP thinks I might have an intolerance. Which doesn’t surprise, as unlike what I set out to do this time last year, I haven’t managed to let go of the Spud.

In any form. Same with the bread and pasta n’ stuff. So there is still plenty to do there. And the Salt, I’m still a divil for the salt.

Now the bad stuff;

That bike I mentioned is still hanging on its hook in the garage, it never even got touched
And that 3 stone I wanted to shift. Well at Christmas I was asked about it, and I had to answer “only 4 more to go.”

That October and November was murder, and it was all my own doing. For days and sometimes whole weeks all my food intake was drive thru, take-aways, garage meal deals – you name it.

I got away with it largely because I’m tall and my work clothes were always a size up. And still are. So to be 3 stone lighter than I was this time last year, I have about 11lbs to go. And I am in a size 14 but as I said, I prefer looser fitting especially when I’m on the road, etc.

Over the last 5 months I did get back into the sea, but mainly kayaking. Which actually suits me better now. So hopefully I’ll keep it up over the winter and get canoeing again over in Strawberry Beds.

But I do aim to get back into deepwater swimming; so like the starchy carbs that too is a work-in-progress, and better again – its because I actually want to.

But these are some the physical outcomes of my 50th year. I also came upon some new outcomes for myself.

I made some new friends that I can’t bear to think about being without. Hopefully they know who they are when they read this.

I have also decided that I only want people in my life that I want to hang out with or work with. People that enhance my life or contribute to it. It wasn’t a decision I made, it was an organic conclusion about the rest of my life that came upon me naturally.

I am not wasting what time is left on matters and people I have no interest in or don’t add something. Simply put, if they aren’t going to feature when I’m 70 or 80 I’ve no room for them now.

I have also found my grá for writing again. So that book I started 10 years ago is finally going to resurface. I also think some possible writing partnerships have opened up; whether they materialise into an’ting daycent or not – it doesn’t matter. I’m there for it.

Also, I’ve discovered I am not afraid of being me. Since my early 20s I never allowed photos of myself save for the odd work one, and I was never pro-active in promoting myself professionally or talking myself up. I have been known to turn down opportunities and staying where I am.

In fact feedback from an Interview one time recorded that the panel could tell I was holding myself back. But that’ll never happen again. I am going to say yes to everything that fits me and go through every door that opens up in front of me.

Which is why I kinda gave my 50th a full go, a proper blow out that started on the 17th and came to end in the early hours of the 27th – and with one of our own too.

On a personal level, I am delighted with myself that I gave in to it and didn’t brush it off like any other day, which is what I would have done this time last year. So when it comes your way, and it will, I would absolutely recommend you do the same.

Going forward I want to live and work with who I want, and the way I want, there is no more making do, or putting up with things because its handier and easier, or towing the line, conceding for the easy way out, or staying in the rut because I know were the grooves and rough edges are.

I will live and work in a manner that I want, am proud of and hopefully love. And I will be exactly where I want to be.

So was it worth it? This 50th year Test Drive with myself? Absolutely. I’m not looking like a yoga instructor or an’ting. But that was never the point. But this paying attention to myself was worth it. And I know I will it keep it up.

One other thing that I have decided on, in fact there was no real decision to be made or thought put into it; I am retiring my Stars and Bars bikini. I could be glib about it and say it doesn’t fit me anymore, or the beany doesn’t go with the jersey, or the flags got mangled in a storm. I won’t.

It breaks my heart. I was always very proud of my reasons for the flag and I will always defend them and stand up for them.

But the Confederate Flag now flies to a very different and disgusting pride to mine, and I couldn’t possibly do that to my Grandparents and theirs before that, or to Cork.

Frilly keane’s column usually appears here on the first Friday of every month. Follow Frilly on Twitter: @frillykeane

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25 thoughts on “Sure There’s Always Next Year

  1. Henry Woods

    I didn’t read it. I came for the Confederate bikini to see if the mere sight of it would trigger people.

    1. Frilly Keane

      Ah man
      An’ I’d sent in a pic of me in it

      Only Broadsheet a funny about stuff with tootle-toos and hoo hahs n’stuff

      1. Brother Barnabas

        on for a trade, frillz?

        I’ve a nice one of me in my Dublin mankini – good bits hanging out the side

  2. scottser

    fair play frills. but seriously, if you want to shift a few get on the bike. i’m cycling into work now this past few weeks, a good 9.5k each way and i’m noticing it already.
    give up coffee though? naaaaaaahh

  3. Janet, I ate my avatar

    Hey there
    Enjoyed reading that
    Well done on taking hold of the steering wheel and all the hard work on changing direction.
    Keep at it !

  4. Rob_G

    Is there something wrong with drinking coffee I should be worrying about :/

    – anyhow, glad to hear you are keeping on keeping on, Frilly

  5. Lilly

    Well done Frillster! Get out that bike – and never say ‘going forward’ again. What’s wrong with coffee anyway?

    1. Frilly Keane

      I just made more of an effort really
      And I suppose progressed the acquaintance on personal and informal lines
      Not Work
      Or Sports
      Or Family connection
      And more importantly
      I made myself available and opened up

      The important thing
      For me anyway
      Is that the relationships are independent of work and home life
      And I cherish them

      1. Lilly

        That’s impressive Frilly, really positive. I’m fine on the health and fitness side but otherwise in a monumental rut. Need to take a leaf from your book.

        1. badatmemes

          I’d suggest coming to the One Love Concert next weekend.
          You’ll find yourself surrounded by new friends with open arms, big smiles on their faces and love in their hearts.
          I’ll play a request for you if you like, but only if you turn up.
          .

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