Hi,
How are you today?
Since you are here I assume you would like to know a little bit more about the person behind Midlife Motions.
So here it goes:
My name is Renate (Rena) and I am originally from Germany.
In 2007 I moved to Ireland where I live about half an hour south of Dublin. It was a bit of a spontaneous step. Up until three months before I took the leap, I had thought about moving to Ireland as much as I had about moving to the moon.
At first, it was a bit like a prolonged vacation during which I was working full time if that makes any sense. When the novelty wore off, I still liked it. Especially after my (now) husband joined me. We now have a circle of friends her (which I think makes a huge difference) and liking it turned into loving it. As a result, I call this place “home” now as well.
Moving to Ireland taught me a lot. A lot about life and a lot about myself. Through my training to become a life coach, I was delivered some extra eye openers on what I could have done better in the past. These experiences and implementing what I had learned helped me massively to become a more content and happy person. Regardless of how far outside my comfort zone I was taken at times, it was soooo worth it!
The Person:
• I have lots of ideas but am challenged when it comes to converting them. Which is a pity at times as I have seen others making those same or very similar ideas a reality sometime later, on more than one occasion.
• My glass is generally half full.
• At goodbyes (and a lot of other touching occasions), I tend to get teary-eyed and choked-up more times than not.
• People told me that I am a rather patient and laid back person. When it comes to technology, not so much though. If I click a button, I want that page to open. What I don’t want is an error message or a little circle that goes round and round telling me the page is loading for what feels like an eternity.
• I did most of the Camino Frances. My Camino started in St. Jean Pied de Port and I got as far as O’Cebreiro, for now. And I am fairly sure that my feet are bigger since I got back.
What’s important to me:
• My family.
• My friends – they are well distributed over the planet (Ireland, Germany, the US, NZ). With two of them, I even go all the way back to kindergarten.
• My independence.
• Sunshine – it doesn’t even have to be warm. Just the blue skies and the sunshine make all the difference and put a spring in my step.
• Traveling – even though I am not yet able to do it as much as I would like to.
• Occasional Solitude – Sometimes I absolutely enjoy having the apartment to myself. Doing what I want, listening/watching whatever I please. Bliss. But only because it is not a permanent and involuntary state and I know my husband will be back.
• A sense of humor.
• Kindness – have you ever smiled at a random stranger for no particular reason or have done something nice for someone who didn’t expect it at all? I love the happy surprised look on their faces. I think I enjoy being on the giving end of kindness even more than on the receiving one. But don’t get me wrong, I still love receiving it, so keep it coming.
• Hugs – I know some people don’t feel all too comfortable hugging others, and that’s OK. I personally love a real heartfelt hug. It always makes me feel just that little bit better.
• Food/Drink – I definitely enjoy good food and a nice drop of whatever takes my fancy at the time. Unfortunately, I don’t have the metabolism to hide the fact.
My interests – There are a lot of things really. Some of them are:
• Hiking, it gives me a sense of freedom, purity and all’s good.
• Our minds. I am curious about what makes us tick/how our mind works.
• People and their stories – because they’re interesting as everyone has their very own story and outlook on life. And I am convinced, that we all can learn a little bit from one another.
• Self-improvement, even though I only started that in my mid 30ies.
• Languages even though I am not a polyglot (yet). So far I speak German (obviously), English, Spanish (still studying it – currently I speak enough to get around without having to use hand and feet and to hold a somewhat broken conversation – A2 level by the European measuring).
• Making things/crafting – like knitting, sewing, paper maché, decoupage and whatever else I come across that catches my fancy. I have started to do all day sewing workshops (usually on a Saturday) with a friend of mine. Our intentions are always good and we always get something done. But most of the time is still spent chatting, eating and drinking. What can I say? I guess we’re just weak.
• A good book/movie – The range of genres I am interested in is very wide. I generally love to be told a good story. But I don’t do horror and splatter.
What I can absolutely do without:
• The short daylight hours during the winter months.
• When the temperature is below 10°C/50°F, it is raining and windy. In short, Irish winter weather.
• My procrastination. I have a better handle on this now but it still is a constant work in progress.
• The sale of Christmas articles starting in September or even late August. It dampens the anticipation a bit if it is around half the year.
• Some folks’ negativity, which, when exposed to it for long enough, drags me down.
• Unfairness. I know, life’s not fair and all that, but still…..
• Some people overindulging in their favorite fragrance, whilst I sit next to them on the bus/train trying to control the gag reflex and the headache caused by it.
Today, when I was walking our dog, I suddenly smelled cologne. But where did it come from. There was nobody in sight. Then it hit me. I came from the inside of the car that just passed with the windows down. Why, I ask you?
• Arrogance. It is just so off-putting and unsexy. It instantly makes me want to judge the person, which is something I generally don’t want to do. Dilemma!
• An attitude of entitlement when the person hasn’t done anything really for whatever it is he/she thinks he/she is entitled to. I mean, seriously?
• Rats! I have no idea where it stems from, but when I see one I freeze. Yeah, sure they have cute faces. But that tail………… shiver.
Some Random Trivia:
This is my favorite cup. I got it for my 23rd B-Day. So, it’s been through a lot, hence no handle.
• I never went to college or university. So far. In the early 80ies, it was more common for girls to learn a trade by means of an apprenticeship. Of course, there were girls going to college as well. But it was not necessary to get a decent job at the time. I always kinda wanted to work in an office, but was never overly ambitious (jeez that sounds awful). For me, work was a means to an end.
Since then the outlook on which career path one chooses has changed quite a bit. When I got out of school it was a bit like you get a good secure job and if you like what you are doing that’s a bonus. Today it seems to be the other way around. That probably has a lot to do with job security being on its way to become a bit of scarcity.
• Up until about 10 years ago, I always wanted to live in the US. I don’t even know what triggered this desire as it was there ever since remember. That desire is gone since I moved to Ireland. Living in Ireland has shown me that I wouldn’t be happy living in the states “full-time”. It’s way too far away from my loved ones, with way too little paid holidays.
• I loooovvvveeee cheese. When my daughter was about 8 or 9 we had a bet going, that I wouldn’t be able to make it for four weeks without cheese. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. And she did the dishes for a week. What was at stake for me, I don’t remember.
My Milestones so far:
• Becoming a mom at 19. No, she was not an accident, in case you were wondering.
• Moving to Ireland at 40.
• Getting married at 41.
• Becoming an accredited life and business coach at 45. Even though I am still working in admin it had a huge positive impact on my life.