I’ve been lucky enough to start 2018 in a whirlwind of adventure visiting beautiful Australia. As we’ve been staying three nights here and four nights there, we’ve been stepping in and out of a lot of different family and friends lives and seeing so many different ways of living. It’s been exhausting but eye opening and so wonderful that it has inspired these tips to make sure 2018 is your best year ever.
They say eat, drink and be merry at Christmas and we’ve done it in abundance. Lots of laughs, fizz, food and swimming, we’ve been very active, but we’ve still come home rounder than we went. My children have been in playmate heaven; they have had so much time with all their cousins as well as making so many firm friends within moments of arriving at a every park or pool.
Get the Best out of 2018
Along the way I’ve seen that riches come in many forms. Here are my late night musings as I recover from jet-lag and what I think we need to focus on to get the best out of 2018.
Work towards Something
Our friends Rodger and Agnes have the most beautiful house I have ever visited. Through restoration and hard work they have created a paradise that they can enjoy everyday. Last year their home and garden were opened twice to the public through Australia’s national trust. It has taken them twenty years to reach this proud achievement and I am sure they will spend may more yet on perfecting it.
We are creative creatures by nature, so choose something to work on and build this year. Come December, you will be able to look back with satisfaction and see what you have achieved. It doesn’t have to be house restoration; you could pick an instrument, a language, anything! I am forever working on my photography and I’m also slowly learning to master the handstand. What ever you choose just remember you are playing the long game and forgive your shortfalls as you learn.
Choose Experiences not Things
My favourite day this holiday was when my hubbie’s cousin took us to a place called Obie Obie Gorge. We couldn’t take cameras so I’ve tried to infuse this experience on my memory. It was like stepping into the fairyland of the movie Maleficent, shafts of light hitting shining water on this hidden river. It was a real adventure climbing the Gorge, hiding our bags and swimming from one section to the next. It was a day of rock jumping and sitting under rainbow streaked waterfalls.
This experience was worth it’s weight in gold.
Quality Time
This whole adventure has been about having quality time as a family, but it has really highlighted one area in which we have been falling short. In day-to-day life my hubbie and I play tag team on the childcare and have neglected our relationship as a couple. These past few weeks have been a wonderful reminder of why we got together in the first place. Now we are home I don’t want to slip back into our old habits.
If you are doing the same find a baby sitter and make time as a couple. Your relationship is very important.
Be Generous
Our friend Mark lent us a car for our visit, and his generosity gave us freedom and flexibility. Our holiday would have been completely different without his kind gesture.
Spoil the people you love with food and fun and your time. This has been at the core of our adventure and we are so lucky.
Focus on the Good and Forgive
Every family has their drama, but as an outsider, it’s easy to have perspective. We don’t always have to agree with another’s ideas and opinions. Make it a focus to try and be more tolerant of one another.
Let’s all be loving, and live and let live.
Happy New Year and I hope it is your best year yet! Miss you already beautiful Aussie family! xxx
