opening chapter four – hello april
Longer days. Lighter days. Here comes the sun. At last. Colour pops. In its element, the English garden comes alive once again. Bulbs burst. An annual gift. Fresh, fragrant and flourishing. Good Friday. Easter Sunday. Another Bank Holiday? Keep ‘em coming! Families gather. Feasts with friends. A toast to togetherness, bottoms up! My birthday. Another year older. But wiser? Time will tell. April showers. Then sunshine. A constant battle to and fro. Sow seeds. Dig deep. Feel the earth between your palms. Lunch outside. Shall we risk it? Oh go on then… it paid off! Chicks hatch. Lambs skip. Nature works its magic, yet again. Mini Eggs. Hot cross buns. Let the Easter egg hunt commence. Spring is here. Ladies and gentlemen, our collective patience paid off.
I was reminded in recent days that life can be taken from you in the blink of an eye.
We could live to 100, yes. But we could also die tomorrow.
It sounds morbid, I know, but after listening to Oliver Burkeman on ‘The Diary of a CEO’ this week, he encouraged me to think, ‘if I die tomorrow, would I die happy?’
Happiness is a funny one isn’t it? So much of it – for me at least – has been tied up in achieving my next goal. Be it in life, love, or our ever-evolving careers, there’s been numerous times in my life when I’ve thought, ‘I’ll be happy when…’ Then reached that goal, set another and allowed the process to start over.
Which is why, this month, I plan to put an end to chasing happiness and actively encourage my brain to appreciate the here and now instead.
(If the above sounds familiar, I encourage you to join me too!)
With both mine and Ali’s birthdays this month, the Easter Bank Holidays and a special trip to the Maldives planned in a matter of weeks too (pinch me!), expect a whole lot of ‘Lydia lets her hair down and celebrates with family and friends’… not to mention, ‘goes to town on spring inspired dresses, decor and dining’ as April unfolds!
I will also take advantage of the pockets of sunshine that April serves and up my greenhouse game to ensure that the kitchen garden works its magic in weeks to come.
Biased perhaps, but it always feels like a month to remember.
And with Oliver Burkeman’s question at the forefront of my mind, I for one am excited to embrace it in full.
Hi Good morning ?
I’m from the US. I’m convinced if you lived here we would be friends. We have so much in common. I also, when I find something I really enjoy eating I go wild eating it for at least a month, then I’m done for awhile with it. I love this blog as I have all of them. I could have missed it, but I don’t recall you’ve mentioned your favorite style of music. I so love music. Thanks for sharing apart of you with us. Have a fantastic week ?
This is the month of my birthday too and I have planned a road trip that starting in Provence, I’m really looking forward to it !
This is the month of my birthday too and I have planned a road trip that starting in Provence, I’m really looking forward to it !
It’s still a pleasure to read your Chapter.
Best wishes,
Ah a fellow Aries! Happy Birthday for this month Zoe! That road trip sounds incredible – I hope you have an amazing time. Lydia x
Lydia, I totally agree.
Hows the riding going? 🙂
I would looove a Holland and Cooper equestrian haul on you yt channel!!
That would inspire me so much when spring is upon us 🙂
Hi Martina, so lovely to hear from you. I haven’t been riding in a few weeks because of my operation but I’m looking forward to going back to the stables soon! Thank you for the suggestion – I’ll see what I can do 🙂 Have a great week! Lydia x