about me

Hello! Bonjour! Buongiorno! Hola!

My name is Shanny, and I am the creator and author of this little narrative of my life that I like to call ‘Let your joy rise to the surface’. I welcome you into my little world (I hope you’ve got your passport and that you’ve had your shots!), and I hope you enjoy your stay here.

So, why write a blog? And how is my blog any different to the millions of others out there on the Interweb? (ewww, I hate that word – ‘blog’ – sounds like something you’d throw up…). Anyway, it is my vision to document my new life A.M. (After Marriage, and coincidentally, the initials of my soon-to-be ex-husband), as I discover who I am as an individual person, a single woman…just me.

My story is pretty generic and well-known: husband leaves wife after 10 years together, wife is devastated, husband turns out to be a cheating scoundrel, wife reinvents herself as a strong, fabulous, independent woman, blah blah blah… But here’s the real kicker, the element that sets me apart from most women – I was only 27 when it happened. Yup, you heard right – 27 years old, and about to get divorced from the man who I once described as the one thing I needed more than air. I don’t know anyone else my age who has gone through this major upheaval in life (this is usually the type of story you hear from older ladies), but I guess the beauty of it is that I can make my own rules up as I go, and trying to remain as optimistic and positive as possible. I’ll be honest, it has been quite a shock, but it has also been quite an amazing journey….however, this is not about him, it’s about me and my life.

One of the first things I did during my ‘recovery’ phase (i.e. January – March 2011) was to write a list of all the things I wanted to do in my life. Now, I know this is not a new concept (and yes, I have seen “The Bucket List”), but my take on the list is a little different. This is not meant to be a list of things I need to do before I die (because I’m not dying, I’m living!), but rather a list of things I’m going to do now that I have no boundaries, no restrictions, no limitations, and no one but myself to depend upon. It is a list of big and small things, important and trivial things, and everything else in between. But that’s what makes it so special – it’s MY list, not someone else’s! And I am important, trivial, and everything else in between, so why shouldn’t my plans be the same? So with that thought, I have decided to record my journey through this shiny new life of mine, through all the ups and downs, the excitement, the nerves, the new ‘firsts’ in my life…and most importantly, to follow my progression through my list. I have entitled this little chronicle of my life ‘Let your joy rise to the surface’ because that is my new mantra for my new life; they are the words I now live by. I was inspired by an old school friend (thanks, Rach @ inspacesbetween) and the words just resonated deep within me.

I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts, following my journey through my list of things I want to do (and am doing, day by day), and laughing with me through the experience. I hope that you find my entries entertaining, delightful, and uplifting. And for all the other women out there who are going through the same transition as I am, I hope it inspires you to write your own list, follow your own dreams, and let your own joy rise to the surface…

Shanny xxx