The Woodland Within: Reflections on Identity and Self-Care
I'm tired. I've made a big financial investment and the whole process has worn me out. I started writing several articles and none of them seem to be right.
When I think about who I am, one of the first things I think about is being a Woodland Owner. My partner found the physical work in our wood challenging, and he wanted to use the money for something else.
We were going to sell.
And then I realized: I'm a Woodland Owner. That's a huge part of my identity, and I couldn't let it go.
But the thought of paying for his half was a substantial cost, and I kept wondering how I would manage it.
And then I began to see the wood in a different way. This is not a cost. It's not an expensive holiday. It's an investment - moving my retirement savings into the Wood. At some point in the future, if I need the money and I'm too old to manage the wood, I can sell it.
The money was transferred yesterday, and the wood is mine. Today, I feel exhausted.
I used to push through the pain, push through the tiredness, and do more and more and more. But today, I'm not. Today, I've rested more. I've listened to music. I've pottered around, finding satisfaction in little things. I've realized that deadlines are not that important unless I've got a plane to catch. Most deadlines can wait.
It's me who decided this newsletter should come out on a Tuesday. Does it matter if it comes out on Wednesday or Thursday? I don't think it's going to affect you.
Being true to myself and being true to what life is like as a woman in her 60s - I'm now 67 and three weeks - is crucial. It's an age where I don't have to push through. I don't have to make myself work harder than I need to. I need to do things that bring me joy and fulfilment.
After this, I'm going for a walk. When I come back, I'm going to carry on pottering and go through a pile of papers that I never really have the time to go through. I might put something on the telly, spread the papers on the coffee table, and see how much I want to do. If I decide I want to just sit back and watch Midsomer Murders or the equivalent, then that's absolutely fine too.
Part of who I am is being a Woodland Owner. That is part of my identity. But it's not all of me. It's one facet of a complex, evolving self.
Reflections on Identity and Self-Care
As I reflect on this journey, I remember that our identities are not static. They grow and change with us, sometimes in unexpected ways. The wood has become more than just a piece of land - it's a symbol of my values, my connection to nature, and my vision for the future.
Self-care, I'm learning, isn't just about bubble baths and face masks. It's about honouring who we are at our core, even when it's challenging. It's about making choices that align with our true selves, not just our habits or others' expectations.
Questions for You
So, dear reader, I invite you to reflect on:
1. How do you define yourself? What parts of your identity feel core to who you are?
2. Have you ever made a decision that felt true to your identity, even if it was difficult?
3. How has your self-care evolved as you've grown older? What have you learned to let go of, and what have you embraced?
4. Is there a place or thing in your life that, like my wood, represents more than just its physical presence?
5. How do you balance honouring your commitments with being kind to yourself?
So, what about you? How do you define yourself? And how do you move forward?
You are probably not a woodland owner, but there's something else that's a big part of who you are. Maybe you're learning to balance that with taking care of yourself, just like I am.
Remember, it's okay to take a breather sometimes. Whether you're pottering in the garden, going through old papers, or just watching your favorite show, it's all part of life. And that's alright. In fact, it's more than alright - it's necessary.