Hello everyone,
This week I seem to have gone on a bit of a nostalgia trip through reading old school reports, making jewellery from my old toys and revisiting some childhood memories. Here are 3 things however that really stuck out for me:
Postcards from the Past
My mum was having a big clearout last time I came to stay, so she gave me a bag full o stuff. It's becoming quite a tradition when I visit to be given a bag or box to sort through. This time I had a bag full of old school reports, my leaver's book from secondary school and all my music certificates and the exam feedback.
There was also these two postcards from my dad. Before he died he was a salesman who travelled around the world selling educational materials to schools. At one point we had a box full of dolls from all over the world and we must have got these two postcards from his trip to Bali. It's inspired me to find out a little more about his trip if I can and head out there and try and find places he might have hung out!
Music from the Past
A friend of mine's son seems to really be enjoying classical music and likes listening to audio stories. This prompted me to recommend a Youtube playlist of stories set to classical music from the 90s called Music Box. Originally it was a magazine that would come with a cassette tape (then later a CD).
On one side would be a full suite of music by one of the great composers (e.g. episode one was Holst's The Planets) and on the other side was an audio story about a brother and sister called Jamie and Sarah who went on all sorts of musical adventures. It also came with an illustrated magazine to accompany the story.
Or course, on recommending it I was right back into my imaginary classical world and it gave me great joy to read other comments on the videos from people who had the same childhood experience as me. I really recommend you check them out, even as an adult!
Future Friendships
Of course it wasn't all nostalgia and looking back this week. Over the weekend I met up with an instagram friend in real life and had an absolute blast at her girlie gathering. We ate wonderful food, drank very potent cocktails and bonded over a women's circle. The following morning we all took a dip in the River Wey which was much warmed than the last outdoor swim I did back in March!
The following evening I took one of my husbands new bffs to a Self Esteem gig - and they've become also my new bff in light of it. I'm inspired by these new friendships and it reminds me of the power of saying yes to things, and opening yourself to new people - we don’t stop making friends, even if it gets a little scarier as you get older.
Annoyingly I took barely any photos of people this weekend - but I’m treating that as a sign of a fabulous time. Instead here is a picture of the glorious river in the morning.
Those are my 3 things this week that have sparked a little inspiration for me. What about you? I'd love to hear yours either in the comments or in response to this as an email.
Really like the river pic. It’s always good to have a slice of nostalgia every now and again. I don’t do new year resolutions but rather have a challenge a month. This month is to draw a tree a day for 5 mins, that’s it but it’s great for inspiration as there are so many trees to have a go at. Just simple trees as it’s the process not the outcome. Great post as ever 🤩