I’m a little dizzy as I write this. There are mornings that I wake up and start moving around too fast and I get dizzy. Days like this remind me that I don’t have to do anything if I don’t feel up to it. I had plans for today but after feeling the way I do since waking, I may have to cancel.
Last night I took melatonin and muscle relaxer so I could sleep. The combo works well but sometimes I’m groggy the next day. My first thought is to feel guilty for feeling bad, but that’s not even rational. I know that I haven’t kept up with my water intake and I’ve been eating crap.
Stop it! I know what I need to do, and I keep losing focus and doing what I want. Being 50 doesn’t help either. I’m blessed to reach this age and I will do my best to stay healthy. Every time I lose focus, I will forgive myself and refocus.
Did u know that one of the antonyms for retirement is advancement? Really?
I do understand that retirement means the end of your day job and your “work” but is it the end of your advancement? Absolutely not!
It’s almost like retirement is the beginning! It’s when you finally get to try all the things you had to pass up because of work. It’s when you finally must sit with yourself and get reacquainted! Think about that:
” Get reacquainted with yourself”
For those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression, this can be life changing. A lot of us struggle with our feelings when we first retire. There is some self-doubt when we realize that our worth may have been tied up in our jobs/careers. And now we have all this free time for self-loathing.
For me, I had to resituate my life. (Is that a word? Not sure) 😳. There are three things I’ve realized that I need to do every day to enjoy my retirement. No if, ands or buts about it!
1. Wake up and realize how blessed I am to make it to retirement. There are 70-year-old people out there still working and wishing they could retire! Not only that, but how many people do you know who didn’t even live long enough to retire? You are blessed. Don’t forget that!
2. Get outside. This one is hard for me. Sometimes I have to force myself not to isolate. But I know that if I just get out, I will feel so much better! The first step is the hardest!
3. Do something I enjoy. That’s blogging, digital photography, arts and crafts or playing Sims4 on pc.
What things do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Retired or not, don’t let life get you down! Chronic illnesses and all; get up and enjoy your life!
As some of you may know I’m in the process of getting dental implants. It’s been 6 months since my extractions (all remaining teeth), and it’s been tough. But let me just say, I know it could be so much harder! I’m on a dental implant support group on Facebook and some people have some real horror stories!
I opted to not have “temporaries” while I am healing, so I’ve spent the last 6 months toothless. It’s not pretty, but I wanted my gums free while healing. I have an appointment to check on the status and put in the abutments (or caps) on October 13. It’s been a long time coming!
When I first knew that I needed the implants, I started researching and boy was I surprised at how much they were going to cost! The highest quote I got was $47K and the lowest was $12K. At that point, I was really discouraged, BUT GOD.
I was able to get all the implant work done at the VA Hospital for free. In order to get free dental, you must have a service-connected disability at 100%. So, for me that means I am retired and getting disability from the military. I didn’t know that the VA would pay for implants, and I am so thankful they do. Otherwise, I would not be able to afford them! God is incredibly good!
Wordless Wednesday: Trees have character. I’m not sure why but they are so beautiful to me! I’ve ended up with trees in a lot of my earlier artwork. You can check those out here!
I’m not even a “nature person”, but something about trees grabs me!
My last doctor’s visit was a few months ago. I always worry because I get afraid that something is happening in my body that I don’t know about. I try not to concentrate on things like that because I can really work myself into a tizzy!
On my appointment a few months ago my A1c was 7.6. Being a type 2 diabetic is so hard. Some days I just want to eat any and everything that I want! In my dreams I have a nice dinner from Olive Garden, topped with a brownie and ice cream!
After that appointment I knew I had to really do something instead of just talking about it. I signed up at Summit and started just walking for 30 minutes a day. They have an indoor track which is so convenient. Texas heat is no joke! Even on days when I don’t go, I end up walking Moki, so I’m getting at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 or 4 days a week.
So back to my appointment the other day: my A1c dropped to 6.6! I am so happy about this! Fellow diabetics and supporters know how big of a deal this is. All my other tests were looking good too and I left there with a renewed sense of purpose. My anxiety is trying to stop me from going to the Summit, but I refuse to let that happen. I will be back!
Suffering from anxiety is hard. Sometimes it makes me feel “stuck”. What I mean is I’ll be doing fine for a week or two…taking diligent care of myself and getting out and then there comes a day when I might have to change plans or something and stay in. It’s like, the longer I stay in the house, the harder it is for me to get out!
I begin to feel anxious when planning to go to the gym the next day. Where are those feelings coming from? Am I afraid to go out now? Do I not want to be around people? What is it? I’ve had doctors’ appointments this week, but it’s been a week since I’ve gone to the gym…I was doing fine before, but now it’s like I have to coax myself into going back. Once I get there though, I’m fine. And if I keep going, I’m fine, but if I have to skip for any reason, I feel lost and have to start all over again finding the confidence to get out.
People who don’t struggle daily with anxiety have no idea what a day in our lives is like. They can’t even imagine. I hate the way anxiety always has me second guessing myself. It makes me afraid of the normal things in life. But I won’t stop fighting. I can’t.
If you would like to know more about this art piece, please visit my Photography Projects.
