I've observed that I grow in spurts. After periods of dormant inaction, I get seized by inspiration and then pursue a new activity with manic fervor. Enthused, I can't learn fast enough, can't move fast enough and throw myself into a new passion with crazed effort.
Are you like this? Do you grow in spurts or steadily?
Twenty years ago, for example, my life was boring. I examined my dissatisfaction and resolved to do something adventurous. Something exciting and fun. I knew that's what I needed to inject into my staid life as a middle-aged lawyer. Without advance knowledge. I stumbled into motorcycling and the rest is history. I avidly pursued the activity, learned all I could and grew quickly as a person.
Last year, I started feeling that familiar sense of dissatisfaction. I knew I loved riding but was foolishly doing less and less of it. Not for any reason, I'd just fallen out of practice. The turning point was when I realized I hadn't taken a long motorcycle trip in years. Years! So I committed to changing that -- and improving my life in the process.
The first thing I did was to create momentum. I replaced my aging bikes (15 years old) with new machines. That simple act stimulated me to want to ride more. Plan, I can now travel far away with the security of reliable transportation.
In the past six months (which include three months of Winter), I've ridden over 6,000 miles. I've gone to:
- Boston
- Detroit
- Pittsburgh
- Philadelphia
- Punxsutawney, PA
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Potsdam (on the Canadian border)
- Greenport (east end of Long Island)
- Rhode Island
- Montclair, NJ
- Toronto, Canada (in two weeks)
This recent spurt of activity has lifted my spirits and given greater depth to my enjoyment of everything. Even work seems easier now because I'm in a good mood. My physical fitness has also improved and my energy-level is higher.
When you feel irritated or listless, it may be time for a change -- for some personal growth to help your overall attitude. Symptoms like irritation tip me off that my life is lacking something vital.
Do you get what I'm describing? Do you grow in spurts too? When was the last time you improved your life?
I definitely experience something similar. Although it stems from the depression and anxiety, I'll go through slumps and then spurts when creativity and energy hit me. I'm currently on an upswing and I'm trying to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteI've signed up for GISHWHES (An international scavenger hunt taking place at the end of July, message me if you think you'd like to take part!)
My hope is to begin traveling again myself now that my brother is closer. I'm job hunting again and beginning to draw and write again. I'm really determined to keep pushing myself up and out. I'm tired of waiting for a life worth living, and want to make my own happiness.
Good insight. We wait for life to "happen" and then years go by. We have to grab it by the... um... whatever and create our own joy. Our lives are up to us.
DeleteI'd enjoy seeing you again. If you're ever anywhere North, let me know and I'll travel to where you are. TN is very far for me by itself; the only limitation on my travel is time and it takes too long to get there.
I hear that. Definitely hope to be north again. It's a good 16 hr drive between us!
DeleteI'm still waiting on the 'break' of ennui but I'm definitely working harder at it and looking outside my comfort zone to get there.
Irritation is definitely a signal. I am actually a bit irritated right now, LOL. Must do something about it ! Big hugs my friend, and well done on your travel adventures, I am glad you managed to do so much !
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion & beauty blog
Vale, I hope you find something that pleases you to pull you out of your funk.
DeleteYep,I do that: years of being annoyed, irritated, bored... And then I do something that is a total surprise to everyone but me (in the past it was first going to uni to study what I'd sworn never to study, getting divorced, quitting a job I hated...) and yes, I'm bored as hell, and hate my job again, and life in general feels blaah... But that might be just because it's 2 weeks till summer break, and I just got home after a red-eye and it's 5 am...
ReplyDeleteGet some sleep!
DeleteI am the same way. Nothing gradual about it. Love these pics and wow about all your recent travels!
ReplyDeletexoxox,
CC
My recent growth spurt is a strict diet to lose 100lbs worth of "growth spurt" LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand at what you're getting into. I do mostly feel content in my small bubble of happiness, but here and there I get bored. And bored badly. That's when I get all creative and find that one thing, maybe an activity, maybe a product, it doesn't really matter, that gets me all hyped up and I just can't stop researching, planning and doing. It's those moments, days and so on that keep me going. Keep me going from being too stuck in a place, moment or memory.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post and reminder that we can - and should - shake our lives sometimes. It's almost frighteningly easy to grow dormant, especially as we reach a certain point in our lives/careers, but there's rarely any reason for such to be the case. I am more a gradual person myself, but have experienced spurts before and eagerly look forward to when such arises (or I intentionally create them). As always, dear Ally, your wisdom and honesty is a breath of fresh air that we can all benefit from.
ReplyDeleteHave a stellar week!
♥ Jessica
Love your words -- yes, humans have a tendency toward inaction and it's healthy to "shake our lives."
DeleteThat is incredible that you have gone so many places via your motorcycle. Oh yes the spurts, first time the happened I moved to the west coast, the second time it happened I went back to school to start a new career, the third time it happened I moved back to the east coast/New York, and the 5th time it happened I started a blog :O
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
I mean 4th lol
ReplyDeleteI thought you were omitting your fourth spurt when you took up bellydancing... :-)
DeleteTo be honest, I'm not sure how I grow. But I do know, I grow everyday in small ways. I think we all do. If we don't, we stay dormant and never become the true person we were born to be. And I know you know exactly what I mean by this. I've truly enjoyed watching your growth here on this blog.. you definitely inspire.
ReplyDeleteKia / KTS
www.houseofkts.com
Thanks, Kia! It's nice to display one's growth and have others learn from it. I've gotten a lot from watching other bloggers grow. Then again, when I was young, I read reams of biographies, looking for secrets to living life well.
DeleteGreat and insightful post. it is easy, as we grow, to accept the status quo and stagnate. You are right, irritability is the end point of that.. and a change is smart. You have done that, and I am so pleased for you, all 6000 miles.
ReplyDeleteLove the Detroit quote!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
So well said, Ally. When I feel bored and restless, I try to check in and see what needs to be added or subtracted. Brava to you for all your adventures! And I cannot wait to see you next week, xox
ReplyDeletehttp://notdeadyetstyle.com/what-a-difference-a-pro-makes-visible-monday
Oh wow... you've certainly been around. I do have what you describe as "growth spurts" I usually will focus on a certain subject and take it to the max.. then go for something else. In my case the idea is to mostly a continuous learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI found this interesting.
ReplyDeleteUsed to be when I felt like this I'd hop on a plane and go somewhere and live there for a while. I haven't done that since I was married though, some 25 years ago. That is when I lived in Europe on and off for years.
I can see where I need to be challenging myself more. I'm too comfortable.
Cannot wait to see you!
bisous
Suzanne
I'm going to challenge you during our visit to dust off and show us your baton-twirling skills!
DeleteSuch a great post Ally. It's so easy to become complacent, something I'm definitely guilty of. I've actually got some mini-goals for this summer so that I don't fall into my usual summer vacation time suck vortex!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.com
I can totally relate. I def feel better when I decide to pursue an activity and/or goal and really make it happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm like this, too! I haven't changed things up in a long time, and I can feel a change coming...
ReplyDeleteIt's so good that you take matters into your own hands to improve your life!
ReplyDeleteI always have lots of ideas and I'm super enthusiastic for a few weeks and then it dies...and only the really good ones stick, haha!
-Kati
http://almoststylish.blogspot.de/
Great post, with each year I find that I'm growing in many different ways. Now, I find myself doing things that I never thought I'd do, expanding my horizons. You've travelled quite a bit it seems with your riding. <3
ReplyDeleteFASHION TALES
I tend to agree that we grow in spurts. My growth spurt was a long time coming due to raising a family. Once I found the joy and passion for riding I haven't looked back since 2011 when all of this and Moto madness started. I've gone from small scooter rider to 700 cc sport tourer and motorcycle instructor, However I am getting that restless feeling again where I need to have some skill growth or do a long trip. I started all of this at 46 and some would say it is a midlife crisis, but I don't think so, I think it was just a natural progression for my love of motorcycle and the fact that my daughter is venturing into the adult world on her own. I'm still not done my Moto adventure have no idea where I'm going next with it but I sure am having fun. Have fun on your lovely new bike it totally suits you, widhing you many many miles, Keep the shiny side up.
ReplyDeleteMy partner rides the bike too, but he has so little time. I urch him to ride more often because it is really relaxing for him. So I know what you mean!
ReplyDeletewww.nancysfashionstyle.com
I'm not sure I've had that happen to me, maybe? But I love hearing about it happen to you. It sounds like I need some growth in my life!
ReplyDeleteGet to it!
Delete