Hello,
How are you? I hope you are well!
I’ve been thinking about the things we forget. Not the important things—we remember plenty of those. But the small passions. The hobbies we used to love. The things that made us feel alive before life got so busy.
The Music Books in the Loft
Last week, I was sorting through some boxes in the loft. And I spotted my old music books—songs I used to play, back when I was living with my friends at uni. We’d take it in turns to sing and play at the piano and have such a laugh. Before family life, kids, homework, parents needing help, work, health issues…
I remembered those happy times, spending hours at the piano or playing the flute. I would just forget about everything else.
When did that all stop? I couldn’t even remember exactly. Life just got busy.
But those passions haven’t disappeared. They just got a little lost under everything else. Under “I don’t have time for that anymore.” Under “that’s not important right now, there are more urgent things.”
They’re Still There, Waiting
But they still make me smile just thinking about them. They’re waiting for me and I’m so looking forward to getting back to them.
In fact, I’ve just picked up a leaflet to join a monthly Tango band. Could be fun.
Maybe for you it’s not music. Maybe it’s painting. Writing. Dancing. Gardening. Reading for pleasure instead of self-improvement. Cooking something just because you enjoy it.
Those passions that you said you’d get back to “someday, when I have more time.”
Except someday hasn’t arrived yet. Because there’s always something more urgent. Someone who needs you. Something that has to be done.
But Here’s the Truth
Those passions weren’t frivolous.
They are you.
The part of you that exists beyond being useful, needed, responsible. The part that existed just because it brought you joy.
That part is still there.
And it matters more than you think.
Why We Let Our Passions Go
For women over 50, this is especially painful to recognise.
We spent decades being told—sometimes directly, sometimes not—that our joy wasn’t the priority. That other people’s needs came first. That hobbies were luxuries. That productivity was what mattered.
So we quietly let our passions go. One by one. Without even noticing.
The piano gathered dust. The paintbrushes dried out. The dancing shoes stayed in the back of the wardrobe.
And somewhere along the way, we forgot what it felt like to do something purely because it made us feel alive.
It’s Not Too Late
But here’s the beautiful thing: those passions don’t disappear. They just wait.
They’re there in the music books in the loft. In the leaflet for the Tango band. In the half-finished novel. In the garden you used to love but haven’t touched in years.
They’re waiting for you to come back to them.
And you don’t need hours. You don’t need permission. You don’t need to “find the time.”
You just need 15 minutes. And a choice.
This Week’s Practice
Name 3 things you used to love before life got busy that made you feel alive and happy.
- What hobby did you abandon when “real life” started?
- What passion got buried under everything else?
- What made you lose track of time?
And then just choose one. One passion to revisit this week.
Make time for it, even if it’s just 15 minutes.
Let the magic happen.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below or hit reply—I read every single one.
With love and best wishes always, Susy
P.S. What’s one thing you used to love that you forgot about? Hit reply—I’d love to hear. 💛
💌 If this resonated with you, it might resonate with someone you know. Feel free to forward it.
