Have you had a Top 10 Day of the Year yet?
OMG, I had one this week! And it’s only January!
I could just feel it.
Me, at 55 years old, a midlife gal. I couldn’t ignore it.
Now, don’t get me wrong…I didn’t notice it right away.
But a few hours in, I totally did.
You may not know what I’m talking about with this whole “Top 10 Days of the Year” thing.
Make sure to listen to Episode 78 of the Women in the Middle Podcast, where I interviewed my Uncle Bob (an expert in celebrating life!) about the importance of new traditions and new ways to celebrate life. This idea came from him.
At the end of every year, he reflects back and identifies to TOP 10 DAYS OF THE YEAR (inspired by David Letterman, of course!).
And guess what? He doesn’t track them throughout the year, but just looks back.
The other thing he said is that as he thinks one might be happening, he LEANS INTO IT MORE…kind of amplifying it’s power.
I love that.
So a couple of weeks ago, I booked my tickets to California. As I was looking at flights and checking out the hotel, I realized it was right on the beach.
Then I got an idea.
Maybe I should go a day early and go whale watching.
You know how much I love whale watching!
- Could I do that?
- Could I afford it?
- Was I cool with going alone?
YES, YES and YES!
I became giddy as I went from “just going to the retreat” to figuring out how I could REALLY have more fun and AMPLIFY the whole experience and effort.
I saw myself resisting the price.
I saw myself feel like I couldn’t go.
It’s so funny because as I soon realized the mind drama, I also realized I could TOTALLY do this.
Then I booked it! And once I started to think about how I could have even MORE FUN, I got more ideas.
I invited my Uncle to meet me for lunch, right after I landed (the Top 10 guy from the podcast – he would have to drive in 2 hours from Palm Springs, but I asked).
Then I posted in my retreat Facebook group to see if anyone else (my new friends that I hadn’t met yet) wanted to join me.
And I even bought a VIP Whale Watching Ticket that came with better seats and perks.
NOW I WAS EXCITED!
So I got to my hotel. My Uncle took me to lunch at a restaurant with an amazing view on the beach. My whale watching new-friend arrived at the hotel too. My Uncle drove us to the Whale Watch.
And it got better!
- I loved my new friend!
- We saw a pregnant Grey Whale, tons of Dolphins and Sea Lions.
- Our seats were amazing!
- We got a free glass of wine!
And I could just FEEL how relaxed and happy I was that I pushed a little, stretched a little, and WENT FOR IT to create more joy in my life.
Yes, it was a top 10 day.
And as I’m sitting here freezing my butt off in Toronto with about a foot and a half of newly fallen snow, I’m super grateful to have had this experience last week.
This, my friend, is what regret-proofing looks like.
So my question to you is, if you haven’t had a TOP 10 DAY of the year yet this year, what ways are you planning to bring more joy into your life so you increase the likelihood of having one soon?
P.S. Have you joined my FREE Facebook Group yet? It’s called the Women in the Middle Podcast Community and it’s where we keep the conversation going about all of the midlife things we’re talking about on the podcast. You know…regret-proofing stuff like career boredom, empty nest, aging, birthday milestones, mindfulness work and causal coaching. Don’t waste another second – we’re waiting for you! JOIN HERE!
