20/08/2026
I did a thing. And at the time of commitment, I was flooded with dread, shame and guilt instead of being full blown excited in anticipation. I spent a s**t tonne of money on a last minute decision to take my daughter on a winter break into sunny, warm and tropical Darwin.
It was a bloody great decision and one I do not regret in the slightest! We had the best time, I am still feeling warm in the after glow and excitement. It is incredible what a break in routine, trying new things and going new places can do for your brain and enthusiasm for life ( not to mention actual sunshine, warmth and natural Vitamin D!) These are memories my daughter and I will share forever. She's only 15 and growing up so, so fast. I will cherish them forever, and it was worth every penny.
But what I wanted to share, was how overwhelming the emotions were that came up for me, when I made this decision and committed to the big purchase. My daughter was excited (and incredulous!), but I was just wracked with guilt and shame that I'd done the wrong thing, and how could I justify spending this much. I didnt want to share my exciting news with my extended family, and I was wracked with guilt about how I would break the news to my son that he would be left at home! (Turns out he was really excited for us! He knows he will get a turn, and he got to have a whole special weekend of activities just with Dad)
It is funny the emotions and beliefs that keep us stuck in life. And incredible what we can find for ourselves and what we can achieve, when we start to become aware of them.
Now, I would love to show you some photos of me and my smiling daughter having a lovely time in the sun together (of which I have many), however I DO NOT have her permission to paste her face all over Facebook! ("Don't you dare!") ๐ So you will just have to use your imagination!