This past week, I celebrated my 48th birthday with an off-the-grid trip, where I worked remotely by walking to a community wifi spot owned by some new friends.
My cellphone worked a little, usually when I was standing outside, near a certain area a few blocks from my house. If I tried walking away from that zone, even one step away, I lost service.
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It was fabulous — except for the biting bugs and the attack by ninja poison ivy that snuck into the yard I was trying to mow. The grass was up to my waist — and I’m tall — so it desperately needed a trim.
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The weeklong trip made me think about a lot of things.
Those thoughts were a reflection of the book I recently read “Women Who Work Too Much,” by Tamu Thomas. At the end of the book, she urges readers to write a personal manifesto.
I put that part off, as it involves soul-searching and digging deep. I just turned 48, and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
Weird works for me, but in reality, it makes it hard to relate to purpose-driven people. It has also made some of the normal milestones people have had things I haven’t experienced yet.
I have never been drawn to a certain career or hobbies. I have always wanted to do all the things and help people when I can.
I admired my grandparents, who knew how to build a house, repair cars, garden, cook, sew, and preserve food. They were active in their community when they could be, but were self-sufficient in many ways.
I figure knowing some of the basics — how to replace a broken pipe or faucet, or fixing a rip in a jacket with embroidery — is just something that I should do as a person.
Level 48 is the same, but different. It’s a new set of adventures and quests.
A milestone, like a birthday, gives you a chance to reassess where you’ve been and where you want to go. I wanted to be president, actress and fashion designer.
I never set specific goals beyond monthly deadlines because I’m horrible with sticking with plans.
This life is good, but I know it could be more. I’m just overwhelmed with how to start aiming toward that “more”. That’s why I read Thomas’ book. I need to start that manifesto, and use Level 48 to create my best life.
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I still want to do all the things, but in a different way than what I envisioned over the past few decades.
I want to keep learning and enjoying life to its fullest.
Cheers to Level 48. Hopefully, it will be one to remember … in a good way.