Today is my 55th birthday. I have never lied about my age before but I’m wondering whether I should start now, or at least make it available only on a need to know basis, because I cannot believe that I am in my mid-50s. That’s always seemed old to me before but now I’m there it doesn’t feel in the least old. Which just shows something or other.

It’s true that I’m starting to forget words and have to wait longer until my rusty mental Rolodex crank up and produce the mot juste  I’m looking for. Since I hardly talk to anyone here I think that’s fairly excusable. Though I consider myself quite with it generally, I find some of the intricacies of modern life perplexing. I really, truly do want to understand about the 72 genders, for instance, but they can be a bit hard to remember. Equally, I find it hard to compute how people with widely differing and firmly held beliefs can stand by the same failures of logic that constitute Brexit. I baulk when I see the word Mode.

On the other hand, I’m fitter and healthier and arguably just better than at any time in my life and, hard work though that is, I’m enjoying it to the full. So, what have I learned over the past year or so?

• It can take years to build healthy fitness habits but it’s all about Perseverance. A year ago I’d never have dreamed that I could run up these here hills or run a kilometre in less than 6mins 30 (that’s downhill and with a following wind, but hey, I’m 55). Yet here I am;
• Sleeves are not necessarily your friends. Sleeveless tops can make you look less wide and prevent a farmers’ tan (Thank you @Margo for that:)
• It’s better to plough right in than waste time fretting. What’s the worst that could happen? Crochet is dead easy to unravel and redo;
• If I’ve thought things through and checked my objective facts, it’s better for my self-respect to stick to my guns than bend with the typhoon;
• People who think and sound like they know better often don’t;
• It’s better to distract oneself than fret. (Two points about fretting. What does that tell you?);
• My hardship would be someone else’s dream. I should always bear this in mind;
• Sudocreme is a highly effective treatment for mosquito and sandfly bites;
• Putting one’s hair up in a high ponytail after application of Olaplex or Living Proof helps prevent frizz;
• Autocorrect is a false friend;
• Meals without carbs are perfectly acceptable as long as there’s plenty of green veg or salad;
• Highly iced water always tastes better than room temperature water;
• Vitamin C serum is ruddy brilliant for the skin (I use the one in capsules from @BeautyPie every day;
• It’s possible to have far too many eyeshadows;
• Better to respond strategically than react without thinking;
• Silence is sometimes much more effective than words.