Tuesday 7 June 2016

A Life Itinerary




Without intending to sound morose, I have spent the last few years wondering about my life's purpose often feeling that I have 'achieved' little.  When I started to write down my life itinerary so far it seems that I have experienced a very rich and fulfilling life contrary to the niggling doubt that I hadn't.   I have split my findings under the headings of travel, courses, work and interests.  This list isn't comprehensive, it is just what I am able to recall at the moment.

Travel
Countries visited: Wales, Belgium, Guernsey, Jersey, Mainland Spain, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus, Zante (Zakynthos), St Lucia, North America, Portugal and Lanzarote.

Courses
Courses taken: Reiki, *watercolour painting, soap making, writing for magazines, City and Guilds cookery, jewellery making for beginners, fabric flower making, willow weaving, Open University courses in physics, chemistry, earth sciences and biology, machine sewing, first aid, viticulture, gardening, yoga.

Work
As a teenager I was a dresser for a day at London's Astoria theatre.
First job was in a florist's for just a few weeks then a long stretch of time doing administrative jobs for companies ranging from builder's merchants to market research to National Health Service (NHS).

My voluntary work has included a few hours serving in a Cats Protection shop and a sporadic 4 years at a London vineyard.

Interests
My interests and hobbies have dominated my life.   As a child I was always drawing or making things with Plasticine.  My creative hobbies have included painting (all mediums), drawing, modelling with clay, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, holistic medicine, keeping fit, yoga, collecting gemstones, growing things (I used to have an allotment), sewing by hand and machine, embroidery, cross-stitch, crochet, knitting, journalling, card making, writing poetry, reading, walking, philosophy, psychology, paganism, self improvement, writing blogs, mixed media, astrology, cats, herbs, cooking and eating food.

I hope to add many more things to the list over the coming years and go back and fill in those things I had forgotten about! 

*I did the above painting in 2008 and have never done a watercolour landscape since.

What about you?  Do you have an interesting life itinerary of the things you have done so far?

9 comments:

  1. This is a very good exercise, Simone. I think I'll try it for myself, as I often forget so much of my journey to this point in time. My list of travels would include only North America and only a few hours outside of the US. But I have seen much of my own country, though not as much as I'd like.
    I really love your landscape painting. I have to admire people who can make watercolors behave.
    Please don't be so hard on yourself. You are well thought of by many in the blogging community as I suspect you are in your own environs.
    Still thinking about that lovely accent in your video. My voice seems so ordinary in comparison.

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  2. What an interesting idea and it shows what an interesting and diverse life you are leading. You've done such a variety of courses.
    Lisa x

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  3. What a good idea. It must certainly make you think to sit down and list all of your life experiences. You have travelled far more than me outside of the UK and you have such a wide range of interests and hobbies. I love your watercolour, so pretty and delicate:)

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  4. Well I think you can forget about not achieving anything Simone......that is quite a list!!! I wish I was as widely travelled as you!!
    And you certainly have studied quite a bit.
    I love your painting, maybe you should revisit the watercolours, you obviously have a talent for it.
    V x

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  5. A pretty watercolour and an enviable list of things achieved! You have travelled a lot!! It is a good idea to write these things down and then notice just how much you have done and what an interesting life you are leading!
    Helen xox

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  6. I don't know whether I have an interesting life itinerary, as I've never thought about doing it, but what a good idea!! You have been blessed to have traveled so much (tons more than me) and to have the opportunity to do all of those courses - I would love to be able to do an open university course, but time and money are in very short supply, so I can't.

    You are also blessed to have good health - something denied to many

    This is a good exercise

    xx

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  7. Glad you could look back and see all the wonderful things you've done and tried. I think it's easy to forget all that we've done. I know I often get surprised looking back through my old photos.

    I hope that you can look forward with excitement and hope knowing how many interesting things you've already done and how much you are capable of accomplishing!

    p.s. you should get your paints out more often!

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  8. That's an interesting way to look at it, Simone.
    I think each chapter of life looks so different for me,
    like different seasons. Sometimes when I'm in a time like
    you describe, I like to think it's just because lots of things
    are dormant right then, like in Winter. But Spring, she always comes. With fresh blossoms and bright colors and warm breezes:)
    Love to you in all of your seasons,
    Jennifer

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  9. I envy your list of travels, Simone! How blessed you are to have seen such places!

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