Dear Rose # 48 - Welcoming Myself Back: Finding Optimism After a Ten-Year Cycle

Rose is an amalgam of us - women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond who are looking for somewhere they are seen, heard and listened to.

Dear Rose,

Today I saw my physio. After his questions about my current injury and an examination, he asked, “And how are you? How’s life?”

It was so lovely to be asked that question—he’s seen me cry and knows I’ve had pneumonia recently. As soon as he asked, I knew my answer: “I’m really good, thanks. Life feels really good at the moment.”

And it does. Lately, I’ve been noticing how grounded and happy I feel. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to say that with conviction. The last ten years have been really tough, and I don’t know if there’s something astrological about ten-year cycles, but it truly feels like things are finally swinging back to a new, positive normal. (But I still have my fingers crossed behind my back because I’m scared I’ll jinx it.)

The best part is I finally have time for really great self-care—I’ve nailed the perfect chicken and brown rice salad for lunch, I’ve started working my muscles to fatigue to support my bone health, and I relish long slow weekend mornings reading in bed. My day job feels challenging in a good way, and my passion job (yoga) is filling my cup more and more every week, at the same time as I’m setting better boundaries.

I’m finally living with a sense of optimism again, which has always been my true nature. I’m so happy to welcome myself back.

Love, Em xx