Forks in the road

How to decide the right path?

I’m sitting at the juncture waiting for a sign.

Well, there is actually a sign and it’s got a big number on it.

As I enter the month of June, ‘tis my last month in my forties.

I’ve never really had a ‘mid-life crisis’. I quite enjoyed turning 40 and it goes without saying that 30, 20 and (I’m guessing) 10 were excellent.

This time feels different.

I’ve become more aware of things like my health.

The dreaded lurgie that has knocked me out flat for the last week has been different to other illnesses. Usually I can bounce back quickly from anything. This one has hung around and around.

I’m clearly going to be fine but this time I’ve noticed a real lack of energy. Should my Fifties be when I actually become more aware of my health and start making the so-called ‘lifestyle’ decisions? Less of this and more of that?

A fork in the road.

Career wise, there’s a bit happening behind-the-scenes. Will save the detail for another post but let’s just say there’s some clearer paths that feel safe, and some cloudier paths that feel exciting.

At some point I’ll have to put one foot in front of the other and choose a path.

A fork in the road.

Then I’ve got to step up in my role at home as my eldest embarks on his first exams and my daughter needs help to overcome some school-based challenges.

This one is an easier decision (of course I’ll do what I need to do!) but it doesn’t come without an offset of time that needs to be spent on other things.

See above about health and career.

To be clear - I’m not asking you ‘should I play golf or help my kids?’. That’s a no-brainer.

But the forks in the road are appearing in front of me at a more regular basis than has happened over the past decade.

It’s all part of the journey, isn’t it? That’s what you reassure yourself with.

Just not sure I’m used to it all happening at once.

A confluence of timing.

The next decade is nearly upon me.

The forks are appearing.

Guess I’d better get a plate.