The one lesson I’ve discovered from life: Writer JoJo Moyes says remember to reside within the second

Former newspaper editor JoJo Moyes grew to become a full-time writer in her 30s. Her 15 books have offered greater than 38 million copies worldwide. The Final Letter From Your Lover is now a movie starring Felicity Jones. JoJo, 52, lives in Essex with husband Charles Arthur, their daughter and two sons

Don’t overlook to reside within the second

I misplaced my mom final yr, which was clearly a ceremony of passage and a massively emotional factor for me; she’d been unwell for a very long time. However one factor I discovered from her is about dwelling within the second. 

As soon as she knew she was terminally unwell, she used to say to me she was happier than she’d ever been as a result of she’d simply get such pleasure from sitting in her backyard. And I believe all our lives over the previous 18 months have been underpinned by a fragility about what’s occurring subsequent. 

Former newspaper editor JoJo Moyes (pictured) grew to become a full-time writer in her 30s. Her 15 books have offered greater than 38 million copies worldwide

So lastly I’ve handle to retrain my mind and say: ‘OK, I don’t know what’s going to occur subsequent week, however immediately’s a great day.’ I stroll my canines each morning, which is a superb leveller as a result of canines are all the time overjoyed to see you. You may’t assume an excessive amount of, you simply should be with them.

Most of us led manic lives as much as the purpose the place all the things stopped, and it did make clear all the things. I’m nonetheless checking in on my pals day by day. I’m undecided I used to be all the time an excellent pal over the previous few years as a result of I used to be consistently busy, and I anticipated all people to know that. So it’s been a game-changer.

Don’t get me improper: the pandemic was a horrible factor. However when it comes to with the ability to reset your values and the way in which you reside, we now have to take classes from it.

I believe an excessive amount of concentrate on how individuals view you simply sends you just a little bit loopy. The great factor about stepping into your 50s is that you just perceive that rather a lot higher. I do know I attempt to be a great particular person, and the individuals closest to me know that. Past that I can not management something that anyone thinks about me.

There’s a sharp-elbowed factor occurring in your 20s and 30s the place everybody’s jostling for place. By your early 50s, it’s like a bunch of survivors assembly. Who’s been hit by the sniper’s bullet? Almost all people my age has both misplaced a guardian, suffered an sickness or bought divorced. There’s a kindness concerned now in your interactions with different individuals. And I discover {that a} pretty and quite surprising good thing about getting older.

The Final Letter From Your Lover is out now.