Before talking about my odd body “features” let me tell you a few stories from my past week.

NOT THE BEST PATIENT

Anyone who has been around me when sick or injured knows that I am not the best patient. As my tattoo says I prefer to be “living life in the fast lane” not being bound to the bed or couch by ailments. This last week I had one of each. That is one injury and one illness.

As you might know I am training to run a marathon in October and last Sunday I went out and conquered my first 10km run and in just 1 hour and 2 minutes. Immensely proud of this achievement. However, at around 2kms I felt my back very sore, an existing injury which flares up from time to time. The pain intensified so much so I had to stop two or three times to stretch but I was determined (right down stubborn) to finish my 10kms. That didn’t end to well and I have lost out on a full week of training as a result…..

To top it off I got the FLU….. hot, cold, hot, cold, aches, tiredness and all the rest that goes with it. Lemsips, cold and flu tablets, tea and hot water bottles and some TLC was thankfully all that was needed and it only lasted a few days….. so although I missed most of the spring sun this weekend I ended up being able to go for a 6km run with my sons company earlier this afternoon!!!

So moaning done I am now back in fighting form.

CONTINOUS LEARNING

Many motivational experts encourages that to grow and be successful we need to be continuously learning. Of course this is simple;

• Do a masters
• Do a course
• Network with experts
• Watch documentaries or TED Talks
• Read
• Read
• And read some more

In fact I read an article the other day, (there is some irony in the fact that I read it) which outlined that the average person reads 4 books per year whereas a CEO or successful leader reads 4 books a month. That is one book per week. One book per week.

This fact nearly made me cry when I think of my goal to be a successful leader…. Where in my week will I fit reading a full book? Every single week. A book about a business related topic, to top it off. I don’t think my current read of Sheila O’Flanagan’s, What Happened That Night or the one before that Mark Johnson’s, Den Enkla Sanningen would count….

I love learning and do believe I learn every day without having to follow all these thousands of “simple rules” that are listed for us to make sure we are successful. I learn from people, from other industry colleagues, from networking, from doing courses, from reading, from my family, from my personal self and in a thousand more ways. And I am not willing to give even one of them up in order to follow one rule to be successful. I believe I need to find my own way.

Finger crossed I won’t be proven wrong.

ODD ARSE CHEEKS, BLACK EYES & WRINKLES

Yes, those are all descriptions of me by none less than my amazing children….. Whom I of course love dearly not matter what they say! Especially when they say it with a grin on the faces and twinkle in their eyes. After all that is my own sense of humour ingrained in them.

Sitting at the dinner table during the week my son says “Mam, what is that in your forehead”. I take my hand to my forehead and try to remove this “thing” he has spotted. “Where”, I say? “Oh, never mind it’s a wrinkle!”…………………. Now this is the same child who is adamant to, every time we are in public, announce that I am 40, which I am not…. Not even close. (1.5 years left – loads of time).

This was swiftly followed by my middle child aiding me with a spring clean of the wardrobe!! Putting on a rather pink dress, she erupts laughing, “Mammy, your bum looks so funny in that dress”. Well that dress went to the recycling bin. Odd arse cheeks….. of all the things I had to worry about.

by my daughter. She adamantly placed half a stick of concealer under my eyes, saying “Genie, I’m not sure even this will make your eyes less dark underneath…….

All while I was reading my book, working on my 3 month strategy, training for a marathon, cooking the dinner, doing the washing, educating myself with an online course, reading a safety report and losing an hour because of “Spring Time”……. Once again, if you want success, it’s SIMPLE!!!! Just go for it!!

Have a great last week of March everyone. Easter Bunny is just around the corner.

St Patrick’s Day is here and it is one of the few days in the year where I truly remember that I am Swedish. Although I celebrate with my family and friends this Leprechaun coloured day I still live it like the tourist I think I will always be here in Ireland.

On the 11^th September in 2000 I came to the green isle with a great vision to get myself working as a translator in the UN. English was the first language to master. Only the other day when talking to a young man at work he stated “Oh, I would have never guessed you were Swedish. Your English is far too incorrect for that”. That was a refreshing way to look at it…….. mostly I get the more polite version. “You sound more Irish than the Irish themselves”.

The photos underneath were taken the day I left for Ireland, nearly 18 years ago….. Look at the state of the hat….. but when seeing the hairdo….. maybe the hat is better.

So today I ventured to Kilrush with my middle daughter to check out the parade, which lasted the whole of 10 minutes. Lucky enough because the breeze had quite the bite.

We are now cuddling up with a three course meal, candles and wine of course.

So I think I will need to add something to that first goal list I outlined in my very first blog post. I want to be a real tourist and go to the Dublin parade wearing a silly hat, even sillier than the picture, and a pair of those leprechaun shoes that the man on the Swedish train was so adamant that us leprechauns have.

To all my Irish friends and family. Happy St Patrick’s Day!!!

 

TERM-ON-FECKIN…..

I have to write about another part of this week gone by. Term-on-Feckin. What more would a blog title need?! On Wednesday afternoon after the work was done, most of it anyway I took to the car with my Spotify playlist and aimed for County Louth and the picturesque village of Termonfeckin.

Nearly 7 years ago, right in the middle of setting up my own business, I got a message on LinkedIn with a subsequent phone call from a Mr. Niall Edwards. He contacted me to see if I would be interested in supporting himself and his business partner (better known as the boss) (but don’t tell Niall that), Carmel McCarthy, in the delivery of some training.

We met that summer in Annacotty and have not looked back since.

I strongly believe that you need to make friends for the different parts of you. So in finding My Me, Niall and Carmel have become friends in business. Well in saying that I think we surpassed being just work friends a good few years ago.

When I knew the barrier was broke is when I after a work function suffered the worst hangover of my adult life…. In Termonfeckin. That is a long way from home and my own bed but I was well minded and left that evening, instead of morning, to get back to Clare.

So this week myself and the boss had some work to get done and as always that begins with a great catch up. So over wine, dinner and a tiny piece of chocolate and some more wine we debated and discussed everything from business, relationships, children and some more business. This woman, Carmel, is one of lives mightiest. She has an impeccable sense of humour, a warmth that is contagious and an honesty that is refreshing.

So time well spent.

Well what else can i blog about today but mothers and Mother’s Day!!

Today is not Mother’s Day in Sweden so it gives me the opportunity to say it twice in one year ‘Mamma, jag älskar dig’.

My mother has given me so many of my strengths, quirky little ways and I can at my age say it loud…. I’ve turned into her in so many ways.

So to name a few similarities;

1. My small feet
2. My contagious laugh
3. My shortness
4. My love of baking
5. Great hugger, albeit not as frequently as my mum
6. My social cravings
7. My slightly topsy turvey mood 8. My trust in kindness 9. The “gut” instinct

Then there are a few I have not taken up on;

1. Cleaning regime….. nope still allergic to the carpet beater, Ajax and building all the Lego to make sure no pieces are missing.
2. Ironing – my mum, used to (important piece), iron even socks and nickers….. one of my least favourite household things to do. Even the thought of it makes me shudder.
3. Fixing my hairdo…
4. Oh oh can’t think of any more……

According to my mum I’m also more prude then her….. after all she is my mum.

The main thing about her is that she is my best friend!! She loves me unconditionally and I her.

I say it everyday not just twice a year… she knows

A MOTHERS GUT INSTINCT

Before I was a mum myself I could not for the life of me figure out how my mother new everything. Even all the things I didn’t tell her or the things she couldn’t count up (such as a robbed cinnamon bun). But she always knew….. if I was sad, if I had met someone, if I was lying….. she just knew.

Now a mum of three wonderful brats I have that same instinct. I just know….. and it’s the little things that give it away.

So I’ve caught them raiding the sweet press, wearing clothes they shouldn’t under the hoodie, telling little fibbles and pretending to be sick!! I’ve also caught their sadness, worries and stressors as well as having shared their winnings and smiles.

So I tell my kids daily that a mother knows everything so tell me before I ask!!!

AM I A GOOD MOTHER

As a mother I think we always question if we are good enough. It really is a big task and responsibility to guide these little people on their journey.

Do we give them enough discipline, love time and attention??? Do we spend too much time at work, are we too selfish with our time are we fun enough.

The questions and doubts are endless. But I think a day like today really demonstrates how we are processing.

Today I got a handmade card from my 11 year old daughter…. one that really showed me how she sees me. It also shows the impact spellcheck has on kids!!

To all mothers out there…. happy Mother’s Day. Hope your all spoilt rotten.

The MidLife Crisis Continues………???

Maybe she was right in saying that I was suffering a midlife crisis… I am definitely not the best at trying to prove the opposite at the minute; probably not even trying.

As I have, over the last few weeks, made some major moves on my goals, I believe I might be looking slightly mad (those of you who know me, you already know I am), which I am totally cool with!!!!

So here are two of the things I have been up to in order to get back to the famous goal list and my mission to find my ME;

1. I have stopped eating skittles and started training for a Marathon as I have actually hit the “Reserve Your Space” button for this year’s Dublin Marathon, which takes place on the 28^th Scary…… But the runners are on, training plan in place and by simply sharing my plans to reach this goal it will come one step nearer as I am slightly stubborn to prove those with sceptical faces wrong.

2. The second thing I have done is the total opposite to running a marathon….. I have booked in to do the Indiependence Festival in Mitchelstown. Proper. 3 days and 2 nights in tent, wellies and baby wipe washes. And I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course I have the lady troops with me to survive this endeavour and we are quite practical so have purchased fluorescent clothing and whistles in case we get lost amongst all those that weren’t even born in the 80s.

Oh, and during all this I am of course on the lookout for my 39^th Christmas Present. My next tattoo…. J

International Women’s Day!!!

This week we will celebrate Mother’s Day, but today is International Women’s Day, which is a day that I think we need to use to scream how proud we are to be women…. Only kidding…….. Well a little bit.

I believe it is that day you start to recognise the impact that women have had in your life and the friends you have close to your heart and what we can bring each other for the future.

It is hard to list all those whom have had an impact on me, there are many. Some for love, some for true friendship, some for business development, some fleeting connections with long lasting impact and some to just be with….. Last year when the going got really tough I particularly recognised these women in my life…….

International Women’s Day means that bit extra to me being Swedish in Ireland….. Because even though I often say I am at this point, more Irish than the Irish themselves, the truth is that many of my traits have been fostered in Sweden and the Swedish way. Ways I am very proud of.

Capturing the Moments

To finish this blog post I want to share one of my everyday moments with my amazing 9 year old son. We were having our homework time and were doing maths yesterday evening. The question which was asked related to angles where he was asked out of three images to identify the right angle.

He had done this correctly at first, but blotted it out and picked another angle. I said you were right the first time, you shouldn’t have changed it. He proudly answered; No mum, don’t you see, it’s a left angle.

A welcome giggle at the end of a long day.

 

 

Is it possible to get writers block after just five blog posts……..? I actually don’t think so but there are times when what you really want to write down on paper is not ready to be shared. I have had a few of those weeks…. Where the stories were just for me.

However, I have over this time been thinking of how to keep the blog alive so it doesn’t sleep and I’m thinking that I could possibly STOP putting pressure on myself as to what I write about or how long the posts are and just share some smaller notes and thoughts.

So I am going to give that a try!!!

This blog post will talk about three different stories;

1. Tattoos
2. Hide & Seek
3. Time Out

So let’s start with the 3 tattoos……. The minute I turned 18 I turned rebel. But only against one person really – my mum. So outside of moving out of home I also got a tattoo and a tongue piercing!! The latter removed but the first remain. The Chinese sign for woman, which is still quite suitable to me in context of really believing in the empowered woman and her importance!!

But more relative to the story is that I decided in December 2016 to get a tattoo. Well I had decided before that but it was in December I booked it in, Christmas spirit and all that. This time I chose some wise words, often said to me by someone I truly value as someone who knows who I am and what I am about. Often receiving a text message or call saying “Well, how is life in the Fastlane today?” I thought if I have a life motto or simply a way about me that this phrase is it….which will even lead me to write about my second topic – hide and seek. So my choice of tattoo became, as seen in the picture below, Living life in the fast lane, written on my left lower arm. This saying means a lot to me and the values I hold for the opportunities we are given! Take them and go with them! We only have one chance to overtake ourselves – breaking our comfort zones.

There were some initial shock factor, I think my dear mum (now my best friend by the way) was more taken aback by this one then the one I decided to get done when I was 18!! “You can see it, it’s quite big, you’re a mum, and you’re a business woman”…… lots of commentary. I remember a friend and work colleagues’ reaction too – “it’s the midlife crisis, you’ve entered into it early.” J That made me laugh.

Now if it is a midlife crisis one would like to know how long it’s going to last because I think I’m still in it…. I got another one last Christmas J This time I chose birds…… symbolic, present and to me the sign of movement and having a way forward. 5 is the number of them that I put there which at the time had no significance it just looked good but now means more….. 5 members in my childhood family and 5 in my family now….. My strength – 5.

Now getting a second one, at my mere young age of 38, was seriously upsetting to some more people, my nearest in particular! The statements started to sound more like… Yeah it’s nice but….. That’s probably enough now. Hmmm, I don’t like to this day being told what to or what not to do so the plan (mad or not) is to get one this Christmas and finish off my tattoo series ahead of my 40^th birthday, wait, until the day I turn 80 when I will on my right arm tattoo “Time to slow down”.

Hide & Seek

So on the note of living life in the fast lane….. in one of my earlier blogposts I mentioned that I last January made the conscious decision to step back and I know that looking from the outside it probably looked like I did the opposite.

There are two main factors that have always played part in my ability to cope with stress and undue pressures;

1. Laughter and humour. Put me under stress and I will turn into a stand-up comedian.
2. Hiding behind something…. Simply keeping myself busy

Last year was no different although, in my own opinion, I did take a step back. In January 2017 I started the roll out of a Health & Wellbeing programme through my role as a health and wellbeing officer of our local GAA Club, CLG Cuar an Chlair. I gathered a team and set out on a journey with them which was, has been and still is amazing.

I have learnt so much through what this, now award winning, programme has brought to me as well as other people in our community.

That is why I look at that project as a hide and seek. Although I hid behind it, as a coping mechanism, I did manage to seek out pieces of me throughout… so there is something to the saying “Seek and you shall find”…… This inability to be with just me does lead me into talking about my final topic in this blog (which now is far from short)……

Time Out

A few days ago I had a work project a bit from home and agreed with my family that this was now an apt opportunity for ME time. Scary prospect to be with just me, but it was a few of the most amazing days I working mum, living in the fast lane could ask for….. I worked by day and by night I cooked healthy meals, watched a full season of a girly series, read my books in front of lit fires and so on. At the weekend I took in the most amazing scenery by hiking up to the highest point in Clare, Moylussa, which I fitted in twice (bum muscles so not used to that) followed by a lengthy walk to the farmers market in Killaloe and the (not so sure about this one) Brian Boru Fort….. I also had time to bake some treats, sit out (during the coldest weather) and eat my lunch in the beautiful suntrap of a garden I was blessed to stay in.

I can write about this experience alone over several pages or blogs but it was magic and the Airbnb place that I found to stay in was equally magic. I would recommend it warmly for a retreat of this kind, whether on your own or with a friend. What I also realised was that I can actually be with myself now…. That is a drastic change that shows the place I have reached since starting my journey.

The landlady that I stayed with said to me before heading off that she was pleasantly surprised at the fact that I, of my age (I think she meant so youthful), was able to spend this time with me without bottling up….

On my way back to reality and the day life I made one final stop for ME. I collected a beautiful commissioned reflective self-portrait which was painted by a very talented lady, Clare Hartigan. The first draft of this painting was painted like you see on the left below and when I received it there was just something that didn’t fit. I asked Clare if I could look at it for a few days and get back. By the time I did she had changed the whole image to what is now hanging on the wall…. And I cried when I saw it. (To the right below.)

There are a few beautiful sentiments with this which makes it even more valuable to me……

Firstly the other me, the original image, is still behind it, which has depth and then in Clare’s words; “I feel like your head was telling me one thing and your heart was telling me another …. I listened to your head but when I showed it to you I felt your heart was very honest in its response. Your heart told me what you see now.”

So finishing with a thank you to Clare for finding this me…..