I write a lot about saying no and taking time for yourself, but there are some times in your life where saying yes is the best option.
I don’t mean saying yes to taking your kids on another playdate, or yes to helping out at the school fair, or saying yes to making a different dinner to what you had planned.
I mean saying yes to an adventure or opportunity.
You might be held back from saying yes to it because you don’t think you are worthy enough, or don’t think you can manage it, or think that it will be too hard. I think if those are your feeling then you need to say yet even more.
Let me take you back to March 2014. A family friend emailed me to say “Just heard that Leeds Castle Education department are looking for new staff. Now sure if it the right time for you, but thought I’d let you know.” It wasn’t the right time for me at all really. My eldest daughter had just been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and life at home was pretty tough. She was really struggling to cope with her feelings and it was a pretty stressful time. But this was an amazing opportunity.
Judy had emailed me because we had spoken about me working there before. Whilst I was at home looking after the kids and not teaching I had wondered about whether there was more out there for me than going back to the classroom. I had a history degree and well as a teaching one, and education in museums really interested me. Judy worked at the castle in the education department and I had wondered about asking to do some work experience there. But then a job opportunity fell in my lap at my girls’ school. I was asked to be a TA and was given a wonderful part time contract and just put Leeds Castle out of my mind.
So then Judy’s email popped up and it got me thinking. I was confident that the family situation we had that time wasn’t permanent and it wouldn’t always be like that, maybe I should explore it and see where it took me. So many things were telling me to say no, childcare for the kids, lack of time, Holly special needs.
But I said yes.
I said yes to pushing myself out of my comfort zone, for trying new things and taking risks.
I worked a few days a month for the first few years, fitting it in between my TA job and learning how to do the job well. Then last year when I was ready to move on from school I was able to take on more shifts and make it work around me running my business from home.
In the past year I have been promoted to an Education Leader and run the social media for the department. But all that pales into insignificance compared to what I have actually experienced by saying yes.
I fly an owl on a regular basis, I have dressed up as a Victorian ‘Lady’ and pretended the castle is mine, I regularly gallop through the historic gatehouse on a pretend horse, I see the changes of the seasons in the most beautiful setting, I have learnt how to get out of the maze, tried Segway, been on a punt ride, done many fun photo treasure hunts, made amazing new friends, learnt fascinating history, explored secret staircases, count peacocks, ducklings and cygnets as part of my colleagues and acted out many a hilarious story and swam waddle.
There is another story to tell behind how all of this then took me to being in that beautiful dress in the castle on that hot, June day. That will come next week, make sure you subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss it.
But for now, think about what you could say yes to this week that could lead to you more fun and adventure. And realise that although we need to say no more in our lives to protect our mental wellbeing, sometimes saying yes can lead to the most amazing, magical things!
