93 Comments

Absolutely love this list Sarah. May have to write my own, since I also turned 50 this year 😃 Marry someone who's good for your nervous system.... YES! And I would add, find the friends, colleague, jobs, routines that are good for your nervous system too. A regulated nervous system is the key to life, in my humble opinion ❤️

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I agree!

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Agree, finding the job that’s good for your nervous system is the most difficult I’ve found. It feels like most workplaces are built on systems and ways of operating that go against our true nature and consistently trigger stress responses. The best solution I’ve found is working on myself and finding a pretty good workplace that does meaningful work while not working full time. Curious to hear how you have found a good nervous system job?

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Yes it's hard for sure. For me I didn't find that balance until I became self-employed and got to be in control of my hours and the work I take on, and even how I set up my office space. I realise that's not possible for everyone though...

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Love this. Agreed!

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One of mine is: act like everyone is your peer. The CEO, the employee, the child. Since I stopped acting in line with the heirarchy, I don’t put up with anyone’s garb, I call it as I see it and am way more open to ideas. Love this list, it really made me think! Thank you Sarah!

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Pleasure Stef!

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I feel incredibly seen... as a scanner!! Thank you for helping me understand myself a little better. My whole life I’ve had multitude of interests, I’ve always told people I’m just a curious person who’s always eager to learn.

So far in my life I’ve been a Paralympic swimmer, worked in a newsagent/post office, studied fine art and became an academic and artist, moved to the UK and became self employed as a keynote speaker and emcee, became a diversity, inclusion and disability consultant, freelance writer, editor of three disability focused magazines, then moved back to australia to work as a disability affairs journalist with the ABC, am now a sports journalist with ABC sport, with a side of emceeing, and am also now considering doing my PhD...

I’m glad to know I’m not alone in not being able to focus on one career/interest 😆

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Ah, I'm going to look out for you now on the ABC!!! Bravo for scanning so widely and deeply!

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Oh wow, I thought I'd done a lot of different things - well done you! So cool to have so many "iterations" of life and why not I say?! I have had about 28 jobs in my 44 years and done everything from working at a drive-in, teaching swimming, studying photography, working in payroll/admin, advertising & universities to working as a project administrator, executive assistant, business development manager, marketing, and then charity founder, lived experience speaker and soon to be author. I think I am still searching for my "thing" but rather than searching for it "out there" I am searching for it within me first, then following what lights the inner fire... it's a whole new way of life (and a little uncomfortable)

Do the PhD!! Why not?? :)

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I too feel incredibly seen! Proud scanner here. I staunchly refuse to let go of my multitude of interests. There's just so much wonderful stuff to do: NFP fundraising strategist, freelance video producer/editor, wildlife carer, learning french. My friends think I'm mad but I want to do it all! So happy to be in such good company here. :)

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I love this Sarah! I am going to print it out and put on my kitchen wall for early morning grounding and mindset.❤

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Chuffed!

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Just thought exact same :) And love this list too S xos

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I love this list, even tho' I'm 71. Never too late to learn. ❤️

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Never, I hope!

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Never be the smartest person in the room.

No one likes being the butt of a joke. I volunteer regularly for that position.

Be kind to everyone, including yourself. No one is perfect. Don’t hold yourself to that standard.

Have fun. Every day.

Thanks for the list!

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Thanks Sarah! What a great list.

I loved the pedestrian walkway one. I'd also add to this "Don't be that person talking on speakerphone or playing out loud audio from your IG / FB feed in public! What if we all did that??"

I loved all of these but re #25. I am a lifelong earplug user, I simply can't sleep in the same room or in a noisy room alone without them. I find that unless the earplug is slightly pointed at the front I can't get it in far enough. I've tried the ones that look like the Mack's ones (and many other designs) but I find the ones that have a bit of a point go in way easier after you roll them and smoosh them in.

Re #38 - do you do this even if you have carry on luggage that needs to go up top? I do only if I have a bag which can fit under the seat in front of me. On long-haul flights I normally have a wheelie bag and if I get on last there's no space left in the overhead lockers and it's either taken off me, or put at the other end of the plane etc. It riles me up when I see that people have un-considerately shoved little handbags, jackets and shopping bags up there, which can obviously go under the seat in front of them. Grrr. Am trying not to grouch about other people so much this year!

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re earplugs, I'm with you. I use the ultra soft Macks.

re luggage, I'm not shy about rearranging things overhead, but I think it helps being tall...

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Lovely. Your mind reports stuff which makes me feel comfortabler. 🙂

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Haha. I like that comment Steve

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A couple of things, very random remarks I've remarked of yours. I think you used a word something like 'snarfled' in regard to someone pinching your book. And a there was a post photo of you in the luggage hold of a bus trying to get away from perfume. I can relate to that.

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•Point number 6

I find it very interesting

But I wish you could elaborate more as in wha do you mean when you say “I now let my body keep the score”

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it's a concept that comes from Bessel van der Kolk's book on trauma

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A brilliant read, thank you so much xx

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Thank you Sarah, your list is wonderful. I am going to share this with my family. I have read your suggestion of using in a sentence "and this...", I am hoping you could direct me (us) to the thinking behind using it or how to put into context? I recently use suggestions from Brene Brown's work on rumbling conversation starters (it was great) - is it along similar lines?

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OK, so, instead of saying fixing climate change is possible BUT it's hard, you say, fixing climate change is possible AND it can be hard to times AND we can do our best

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thank you - this has helped and by pure chance , I have been re reading your book "This one wild and precious life" (only book I have read twice) and in the chapter I was reading "a brief bridging chapter" found your reference to also using the work "and". I will give this little gem a try, I have to now given this lovely coincidence ;). x

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A beautiful list. I suspect you have many more, dear Sar.

I'm so pleased your loved ones have poured love over and into you these past couple of months as they celebrated your milestone birthday with you.

Big love xx

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I need to turn 100!

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I look forward to celebrating it with you!

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Thanks so much for sharing 50 years of wisdom Sarah. Faithfully a follower X

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This is wonderful Sarah. Thank you.

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So good! Thank you. 🙏

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Happy Half Century year!!!! .. great advice. Thank you always for your honesty, thoughtfulness, wit & charm. Love reading your words... XB

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Thank you Bella

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