New Year, New Me

HampshireH

I find taking the decs and tree down a great task. Mine came down last Sunday. I feel like I get so much space back again in my small house.  Makes my lounge look massive for a week or so before the illusion fades.

Glad you are feeling better

RedLipstick

Well done on keeping with the list, it definitely helps. What a shame about tomorrow's walk not happening! But means you can chill at home and get some extra rest before heading back to work. And stay warm!

I'm also back to work on Monday though keeping the Christmas decorations for one more week to keep me in the spirit, not a fan of going back to work after a long break, especially knowing I've got some very busy months ahead  Should probably get the cards down though.

LzzyIsGod

Somehow taking the decs down is nowhere near as much fun as putting them up! 

Flick85

LzzyIsGod said:

Somehow taking the decs down is nowhere near as much fun as putting them up! 

Definitely not. And, this year I actually cable tied some decs and the lights to the tree to protect them from the cats… so it’s going to be a bit of a job to take them down I fear!

Flick85

Another successful NSD today.

Christmas is no more. My house feels sad without the pretty lights! 

Have cooked up a lentil dhal to take to work for lunch tomorrow. I’ll have to buy some milk for desk coffees, but I’m determined not to spend anything else at all tomorrow. That means no Diet Cokes, no nice coffees, no extra snacks. If I wake up and it’s really snowy I can probably do a work from home day, but I’d much rather go to campus.

It’s going to be a full on few weeks. But, I’m looking forward to getting on with it and back into the swing of things again.

edit to add:

Last night a friend invited me to the pub for their 40th later this month. It would mean an unplanned trip south in a couple of weeks, so while I’d really, really like to go I’ve decided that I can’t really justify the expense. It would cost a minimum of £100 on train tickets and tfl and that’s without including food and drinks while away. Even if i was to go just for 1 night and crash at a friend’s it’s not within budget so I’ve said I can’t make it. I feel bad, because I’d really like to go. I might assess the budget situation later in the months and see if there’s enough wiggle room to make it. But, that’s quite a big wiggle required! And by then the train tickets will be even more expensive. Hmz.

LzzyIsGod

That's a tricky one, and I'm sure it won't be the last time you (or I) face this kind of dilemma. Reading your diary I suspect we probably think along similar lines and I know personally I would be going back and forth mentally doing the "Shall I / Shan't I, Should I / Shouldn't I" decision dance. 

Sometimes I get the terrible guilts at spending money when I could / should be paying towards something else and sometimes it's not worth it for the days of angst afterwards. Similarly though the FOMO is Real and I'd want to spend their birthday with my friend. 

Is this friend coming to your birthday celebrations later this year? That might help make a decision. 

birdsfoottrefoil

Hi Flick, just read your diary though whilst having my lunch. Good luck with you plans, sounds like you have a fab group of friends over all and loads of lovely things planned!!

Sarahwithlove

It's hard getting the balance sometimes isn't it when you want to do all these nice things but can't justify the expense. Just try to remember that in 12 to 18 months you'll have so much more freedom to say yes and it will be worth it in the end. 

Justcrackingonwithit

Just read through your diary, we sound very similar, although you can add 10 years plus onto your age for me! Trust me 40 isn’t that bad! I’ve just started my diary as I’ve just bought a house on my own and have a loan and some CC debt I’m keen to pay off. And like you my garden has been left so that’s this years project.

I love the idea of having something every month to look forward to, I do something similar, and have got a spa day this month, then a weekend away in February and March.

Will be here cheering you along x

Flick85

@LzzyIsGod yeh, it’s definitely FOMO. A lot of my friends - who I’ve known for 25+ years at this point - still live in the area we grew up, and so see each other fairly often. But, I moved 250 miles north and I just feel a bit on the outskirts and less connected to people I used to be close with. 

This friend and his wife have said they “might” come to my 40th but they also might not be available. They’ve not got any specific plans, they just might go away for the weekend or something. I’ve given 10 months notice(!) and intentionally organised my own bday 250 miles from my home so that distance isn’t an issue for that lot on the basis that they all have kids so aren’t likely to travel up north for little old me… and after all that effort to make it easier for them to show up, they might not bother. Way to make me feel special and loved hey?!?! 

To be clear, some of my friends already had plans that weekend - not irritated by that at all, it’s the ones who might choose to do something else that kind of upset me. As if there aren’t another 51 weekends in the year to go away…. Meh.

But yeh, all in all, I think I’ll probably just miss this one seeing as he’s giving less than 2 weeks notice and I’m not local. I’m heading south the weekend after for another friend’s 40th and because of engineering works on the railway that has to be a 3 night trip so it’s not a cheap one either.

i think because I’ve never had a wedding (and probably never will), and I never get birthday presents or or anyone spoiling me, my 40th means more to me than it does to other people. I also spent my 30th in a major depressive episode (thanks undiagnosed Autism/Adhd) and for many years I didn’t ever think I’d get to 40. So, it prob just feels more important to me than I think it does to some of my other friends 🤷‍♀️