Remembering to Take Pause

[twiggy]

It's so easy to get caught up in all the stressful events in life. When you add in growing health issues, life really can become quite difficult. Looking back, I feel like I've spent way too much time overlooking the good things because I was so focused on the bad. I would like to spend whatever time I have left on this planet finding more of the good. I'm learning to appreciate the beautiful moments when they happen, however brief. I've discovered that there are good things out there, but I have to be open to noticing them. For example:

I have never owned a house, but my son and I live in an apartment that is in a clean, quiet, and safe neighborhood.
I can only eat a few bland foods due to severe IBS, but I have enough variety (herbs. etc) to keep it interesting, and they are healthy meals.
  (I can treat myself to something like an occasional burger, provided I have a Pepto Bismol chaser - so awesome).
I don't respond well to most medications, but it has taught me to look more into natural alternatives, and they really do help me.
I've become forgetful, fatigued, and struggle with Sjogren's, but my son lives with me to help out, and in California family members are paid to do that, (win-win).

I could go on, but that's the general idea.

I've also become more aware of what does me good... I enjoy sitting by the window and hearing the wind in the trees and the view of the flower garden nearby. During the winter I feed dozens of dark-eyed Juncos that migrate here until March - so adorable. I make myself take pause, breathe deep, and really take note of the moments that I'm not feeling any pain or discomfort. I've become a "minimalist" but still surround myself with what brings me joy. I love going for short walks, using my girly dumbbells and a stationary bike for exercise. At the end of the day I watch ASMR on YouTube and fall asleep, quite relaxed.

I'd love to hear ideas from others. What things help make you feel better?

[meirish]

This will be interesting to hear...hope others will joint in. I love to read, read, read!!! I also ohave TV on at the same time and will watch the screen occasionally when I hear something that is interesting. My husband thought I was nuts, but women are better at doing more than one task at a time.

Like you twiggy I love being outside and one of the hardest things to do was to give up my flower and vegetable gardens. I love the clouds, breezes, smells of the flowers and trees and living in a smaller apartment in independent living gives me terrible claustrophobia at times. I am so lucky to still be able to drive and will get in my car and head to the country roads and just drive and enjoy God's green earth. Also enjoy going to various parks that are on lakes and sit in my car and read plus enjoy the scenery. This is the most fun when the trees are turning and the birds are flocking to head south.

Also, I love the night. The greatest joy of my old age is being able to stay up til 3 or 4 AM and do what ever I want. I love the sounds in the night with the windows open and watching the sky at night. Being old and retired really helps me do this every night. The second thing I love to do in my old age is go to Walmart and just walk the aisles and just look and look. Don't buy all that much but so much fun to look to my hearts content for as long as I want. I don't have to go pick up kids from school or get home too cook a meal. What freedom in old age.

I enjoy people and visiting but find that the time I spend alone is the time I really cherish. WE are all cut out of a different cloth so others may find some of these things very boring.  I just thought of one thing that many will think of as really, really crazy. We remodeled homes a lot as we moved and I had to paint a lot of rooms. I loved it when I got the kids off to school, got my cold Coke out of the fridge, turned on the radio and painted. All by myself. Just enjoyed this so much. Now I have nothing to paint and would enjoy it but know that it would kill me to even try. I don't move so good anymore. Anxious to hear what others enjoy. meirish

[sixty]

It was fun for me to read your posts Twiggy & MeIrish!  You sound like you live simply like I do.  I too enjoy the fact I can stay up all night if I want and just watch old tv or whatever.  Being retired is so liberating and the fact I don't work on Monday morning makes it the best day of the week.  If I had any advice for anyone it would be to live as simply as you can.  Not only is it easier, it's much cheaper!

[twiggy]

I gave myself a quiet day yesterday (turned 63) and treated myself to a piece of cake - yum. It was fun coming here today to see all the nice ideas. It made me realize that I completely forgot to mention TV. I love watching movies and shows. Guess my memory continues to fade, but as they say... one of the advantages of losing your memory is that you get to watch your favorite movies over and over again, as if it's your first time. The music I enjoy most tends to come from movies as well (The Last Samurai, Dances With Wolves, and many others).

I will sometimes play video games. I'm far from the gamer-type (I don't exactly have cat-like reflexes), but my son plays them. When he was younger and was moving out to live with a friend, I knew that we wouldn't be talking much on the phone. He is pretty much my only family, so it was really hard cutting those apron strings. I had decided to step out of my comfort zone and learned to play a game that he played. When he left home, it allowed me to spend many hours almost daily with him. It was like he was right there, even though he was many miles away. He would tell me about his day and how his job was going while we ran around on our characters exploring lands, doing quests, and going through dungeons. There was a lot to do together, and I was always thankful that I got to spend time with him that I otherwise wouldn't have. I don't do much gaming anymore (and my son is back home), but on occasion I will still run around with him on anything from Animal Crossing to World of Warcraft.

Thanks for your posts - I enjoy seeing them.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I'm finding reading harder and harder these days. My eyes aren't focusing properly. I thought about audio- books - but I'm a bit deaf too. I do spend mindless time on an iPad however - playing games.

Take care - Scottie