Last month my social media feeds were awash with people visiting the Chelsea Flower Show; this month it’s the Hampton Court Flower Show. It honestly feels like anyone who is anyone has gone to a flower show of some kind or another during the last few months.
In reality, perhaps it’s because every year Facebook kindly reminds me that this year was supposed to be my year. Social media has a fantastic way of reminding me just how untravelled, embarrassingly unadventurous and ashamedly conservative I am.
Apart from going to a flower show, there are many things in my (almost) 48 years that I haven’t done and I imagine many of you probably have. Remember the game ‘Never Have I Ever’? I love it, mainly because I’m rarely the one taking the forfeit and don’t seem to have a problem thinking up something that I haven’t done but know others will have.
Talking of which, fancy a game?
Never have I ever…
1. Got a Tattoo (or wanted one)
I mean I’m not saying I’m going to get one any time soon and to be honest it’s not something that I’ve ever hankered after BUT now that my eldest daughter has one and my husband is threatening to get one for his 50th (much to the rest of our amusement) I’m wondering if I’ve missed something.
If you’re reading this dad, my tongue is firmly in cheek.
2. Eaten Sushi
People (even young children) seem to rave about sushi. I don’t like the thought of cold food and with it being largely fish based, the chance of food poisoning is pretty up there. Why would I want to subject myself to that? I sometimes feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I’ve never even tried it but I can’t see that changing any time soon.
3. Had a Pyjama Party
A pyjama party is a rite of passage for a girl these days. I’ve encouraged my girls to have them but I honestly don’t remember ever partaking in one myself. I quite like the idea of lounging around in my pjs, make-up off, girlie laughs aplenty. What’s not to like?
4. Watched a Whole Episode of Game of Thrones
I can’t categorically say I’ve never watched Game of Thrones full stop but it only took me 10 minutes of one episode, to realise that it’s not for me. I’m not judging anyone who is an avid fan (pretty much the whole world it would seem) but I dislike fantasy which probably explains number 8 too.
5. Been to Eastern Europe
You see what I mean about being untravelled?
By nature I am a creature of habit and lurking in the background is a tiny fear that if we venture somewhere completely new, we might not like it as much. I think my desire to keep the whole family happy always overrides my (tiny but still there) adventurous spirit.
Increasingly I am realising that the world is enormous and incredibly diverse. My husband loves a travel book/TV series and as we get older, we would like to discover the world a bit more. Let’s hope we’re not dead before we get the chance!
On my list in Eastern Europe is Croatia and Budapest. We *almost* went to Croatia last year and it was an option again this year but it was pipped at the post by Portugal and Italy.
6. Shopped in LIDL
Don’t shout me down people but I just do not get the obsession with LIDL. People tell me about the bargains but they also tell me that the cashier literally throws every item at you as it’s beeped through the scanner (or is that ALDI? Never been there either!). I haven’t got the emotional strength to deal with that kind of behaviour, bargains or no bargains.
7. Bought a Designer Clothing Item
I guess this one might depend on what you class as ‘designer’. I’m referring to a £500 handbag or a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. I know that we are supposed to be ditching the ‘fast fashion’ but I just don’t think I can get on board with this kind of spending. It feels way too decadent.
My husband will be happy to read this.
8. Read a Harry Potter Book
I’ve watched a few of the films (meh) but I’ve never read any of the books, not even a single page. My son, by contrast, has got the boxset on his bedroom shelf and has read them all. But that doesn’t mean that I have to as well.
9. Been to the Cinema by Myself
I rarely go anywhere on my own (except clothes shopping) and I’ve always put this down to the fact that I’m an extrovert and prefer to be in the company of others. In reality, I think that I’m a little bit scared of the idea of sitting in a cinema like Billy No Mates. I mean, what will other people think?
You know what? I no longer care what other people think and am going to challenge myself to achieve this by the end of the year.
* * *
So that’s 10 things I’ve never done, that I imagine you probably have (or at least some of them). Here’s rooting for 2020 to be my year for The Chelsea Flower Show. Or Hampton Court, I’m really not that fussy.
Have you done any or all of the above?
*Images 2 and 3 are courtesy of Unsplash
18 COMMENTS
Jill Bald
5 years agoI have done two of those ( been to Poland and LIDL).. However you have done things I would never do in a million years – parachute jump; skiing; that thing you do in the treetops ( forgotten what it’s called). We’re all different.
Suzanne W
5 years ago AUTHORWe are indeed, which makes the world a more fun place!
Gail
5 years agoIf it helps, Suzanne, I have never been to a flower show either 🙂 . I have done a few of the things on your list (Lidls is only 5 minutes from my doorstep), but others – not at all.. I only read my first Harry Potter book this year, and I watched some of Game of Thrones but couldn’t handle the violence so I gave up on it. I don’t buy designer stuff either, and I don’t think I’ll be getting a tattoo any time soon….! xx
Nipa
5 years agoWait, are you allowed to live in the U.K. if you haven’t read Harry Potter??!! 😂 I think I loved the books as much as my kids did, maybe more. But, Game of Thrones, that I can live without!! Xo Nipa
Suzanne W
5 years ago AUTHORYeah I’m not a big fantasy reader but I did enjoy Harry Potter World a few years back. Have you been?
Sarah MumofThree World
5 years agoI love this! It’s got me thinking. There are so many things I haven’t done either, including most of these! I haven’t watched so much as a minute of Game of Thrones (we don’t have the right TV channel), but I know I wouldn’t like it. I don’t like fantasy, but I love Harry Potter! I was hooked from the very first page. I’ve been to Russia. Does the count as Eastern Europe? I’ve been to the cinema by myself a couple of times and loved it! I need to do it again. You can just sit there with tears streaming down your face without worrying that your kids/ husband are laughing at you!
Suzanne W
5 years ago AUTHORNo you’ve really got me looking forward to an afternoon at the cinema! Yes I believe Russia does count as Eastern Europe – what an interesting place to visit!
BLEKE
5 years agoSuzanne,
I’ve never broken a bone.
I’ve never been skiing (see first item!).
I’ve never had a mobile phone.
I’ve never watched “Love Island”.
I have been to Russia — but in those days it was part of the USSR…
Emma MacDonald
5 years agoI’ve done all of these except the designer clothing. Unless you count an £80 pair of Gordon Jack’s when I was 15. I’ve never even bought Uggs!
You’re not missing much on the game of thrones thing at all. It’s rubbish! I do love tattoos and SOME sushi though – not too fond of sushi rice.
Jenny Taylor
5 years agoOh girl you need to try SUSHI, and HARRY POTTER, and shop in LIDL I love them all lol 🙂
Kerri-Ann Hargreaves
5 years agoOoh I have. All but the last two. I have watched all the HP films and visited HP world in Orlando but never read a book.
Patricia Cooper
5 years agoI have eaten sushi, been to Croatia and shopped in Lidyl. The others no wish to do any of them.
Jo - Mother of Teenagers
5 years agoHa ha Suzanne how weird I feel we could be sharing a parallel universe! I don’t have a tattoo (terrified!), loathe sushi (the texture!), had a pyjama party (don’t get the appeal really), watched Game of Thrones (much to my family’s disgust), read a Harry Potter book (not my thing at all) shopped in Lidl or Aldi (I have walked in and straight out) or been to the cinema by myself (I hate even having coffee by myself). BUT I have been to Croatia after being persuaded by a travelling friend and it was one of our best family holidays – beautiful food, fabulous sites to visit, lovely people, great hotels. – you will love it. I have bought a piece of designer clothing or two! I am a bit of a sucker for a little bit of luxury every now and then. As for the flower show thing – I go every year with a group of girlfriends to Chelsea but loathed it this year – just too busy and crazy and loads of people. My favourite is Hampton Court, it’s quieter, nicer setting and just feels calmer which makes the whole day out more enjoyable. Great post – really made me think about other things I have never ever done. XX
Suzanne W
5 years ago AUTHORYes I think it’s the texture of sushi and the fact that it’s cold. You’re right about Aldi – I walked in once because I saw something online that I thought would be nice to have (a plant I think?!) but walked straight out again. I’ve heard that Hampton Court is the best so that’s where I’m headed next year! xx
Becky |Spiritedpuddlejumper
5 years agoI can’t believe you’ve never eaten Sushi or been to a Lidl! You haven’t lived, haha! With you on the Game of Thrones thing though, I’ve never seen an episode either! x
Suzanne W
5 years ago AUTHORI kind of know that I should try Sushi to actually form a qualified opinion on it but Lidl? Not so much ha ha!
Chloe: Picture Taker Memory Maker
5 years agoI haven’t done 2, 5 or 7 (or been to a flower show), but the rest I have. Love this idea for a post – it’s really got me thinking about all the things that I have/haven’t done and do/don’t want to do!
Evergreen Direct
5 years ago“Great share!”