Blog Spot - Dear Diary By Clive Allwright

I’m sure some of us started the New Year with some resolutions based on wealth, health and happiness.

Maybe some of those resolutions may have involved making changes in what we choose to eat, watch, or do with our free time?

I recently made the decision to deactivate my Facebook account, delete Twitter along with all my other news style apps on my phone. I’m certainly not anti-social media. There is a time and a place for everything. It’s just not how I want to spend my free time at the moment.

If I want to know what’s happening in the world, I now have to allocate the time and go search for the news. You could say I am drifting out there, completely oblivious to world events. On the dark side, along with all my leaked personal information on the dark web stolen from my LinkedIn, Medicare, and Optus accounts. If these organisations can’t keep my information secure what chance would I have with my 10-year-old MacBook Air.

Recently in the UK most of the country has been glued to the TV and feverishly texting on their phones. Getting D grade celebs voted out of the Australian jungle. I must be one of the few people over here trying to work out how to move back there.

I am so grateful for when I arrived here in the UK. I started handwriting a journal of our day to day events, my feelings and inner thoughts. I am documenting my time here while organising some help for my Dad. It’s a daily account of our laughs, fears, wins and challenges. All documented in my own scribbly handwriting, in a large moleskin book.

I really want to remember this time Dad and I are spending together as accurately as possible. Also, how I was feeling at the time I was writing it. It’s been a very cathartic experience. Instead of scrolling on my phone at the end of each day, I revisit my day and my emotions in my journal.

I am creating a detailed account of our journey here together. Maybe one day my children or even grandchildren would like to read it, when they are maybe caring for me.

I can never remember what I was thinking when a picture is taken of me for a social media post, But I can recall what the weather was like on my wedding day, or the colour of my school uniform. But I have no recollection what I did on January 31st.

I recently listened to an incredible interview on Australian ABC radio show “Conversations” with Richard Fidler and one of my ever-favourite thespian of the arts Richard E Grant. Richard E Grant explains how he has kept a diary, since he was 11 years old. I would highly recommend listening to this episode. I won’t spoil it, but Richard has recently released a new book called “A pocket full of happiness” A personal memoir through one of the most challenging chapters in his life. Dame Judi Walters wrote “Fascinating, funny and heart wrenching. Ultimately uplifting because it’s a beautiful and honest celebration of a deep, deep love”

Our lives could be measured by the many different chapters we have experienced. Not by our reels and stories on social media. The real chapters of our lives have most probably influenced our personalities that made us who we are today.

Most of our characteristics or character defects have been created through the different chapters of our lives. This chapter in my life has helped me write down my feelings and emotions into words, by using words instead of thoughts, I now think about my choice of words so much more.

I now prefer to say, “I get to help my Dad’ instead of “I have to help my Dad” It makes a big a difference in the way I have approach this chapter in my life.

May I suggest, you try swapping the word from “got” to “get”. For example: Try saying “I get to go and pick the kids up from school or I get to go into work today” You’ll be amazed how you will approach everyday stuff in a more positive manner, just by changing one word in a sentence. Remember, there may come a day when that privilege could be taken away from us, so try to enjoy it!

Because I now have more free time from not being on my phone, I have made more spare time for things like reading. I will leave you with this beautiful quote I recently came across.

“Today I will open my eyes to all the possibilities before me. My potential is limitless and powerful as the god of my understanding. Today, I will act upon my potential.”

Wishing you all a little pocket full of happiness in 2023.

PS: I still have my IG account to watch some reels before bedtime.

Clive x