It’s time for the last Link Party of 2018 with Sheryl at “A Chronic Voice”! This months prompts are:
Great prompts, Sheryl!! and thank you to everyone who participated. I really enjoyed reading your answers. Happy Link Party Everyone!!
De-Stressing & Simplifying
I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to stop volunteering for a local food program that I helped get started in my local school district. I’ve been agonizing over this for weeks now. I helped with the Thanksgiving food pantry last month, and still haven’t recovered from it. I know it’s time to do it, but I feel sad about it as well.
What helped me make up my mind was Maya Northen Augelli’s Link Party prompt about Simplifying. She said the following:
“So in terms of simplifying, I’m focusing on two aspects: 1. Looking at what in my life still serves me, and what has run its course….
…not everything that served you at one point will continue to for eternity.
2. I’m looking to simplify my inner life.”
As far as simplifying “my inner life,” I have some emotions to work through regarding discontinuing volunteering for this organization. I think this is our fifth school year. It’s been a major part of my life since I had to quit working.
I also have to work through emotions, and thought patterns relating to family dynamics as my kids are all grown. For example, I’m struggling with wanting to “fix” their problems, but I can’t. I’m not responsible for them any more. They are adults. Listening without “helping” is sooo hard!
The last item I want to work on to help me de-stress, is doing the exercises in Linda Graham’s book Resilience: Powerful Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty , and Even Disaster.
Savouring
I put up a few Christmas decorations earlier this month. I’m savouring the colored lights in the evening on my little ceramic Christmas tree, and on the two strings of colored lights I draped around the windows. I enjoy the way they glisten on my porcelain nativity set.
Last weekend carolers came down my street, and I cracked my window open so I could hear them singing and laughing. It was so pleasant.
Resting
As 2018 winds down, I’m really struggling with emotional, and physical exhaustion. It’s way past time to listen to my body, and slow down. Unfortunately, my fibromyalgia is flaring, and I’ve got costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage of the ribcage). So pain is interfering with sleep quite a bit, and the steroids I was given don’t help!
The hardest part of resting for me right now is getting my brain to slow down. It seems to be in high gear with anxiety.
Finalizing
Usually I wait until after Christmas to wrap up the year’s business. However, pain is preventing me from doing my usual Christmas preparations, so I’m working on paperwork stuff. Last year, I picked the phrase “Live Loved” for 2018. I still have no idea what to use for 2019.
I’ve got a new planner already, and need to get it set up before the end of the month. I just love its bright, cheery cover and insides. I also need to do filing (yuck), and work on the next month’s budget (double yuck).
There were some really good things that happened this year: I sold my house, and moved into an apartment. I released 38 pounds of weight. I had a lovely time in Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania this past July.
But you know what? There were many unpleasant things too. I think that the most important concept to finalize at the end of the year for me, is to LET GO of the past, and step expectantly into each new day. Is a new theme revealing itself? Only time will tell.
Wrap Up of Link Party
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas!! May you savour it’s delights. Rest frequently. Keep it super simple (KISS)! And don’t forget to relax! LOL!!
Please share this with friends and family, and if you’d like email notification of new posts plus access to my Subscriber-Only Library, please leave your email address below. Till next time, Kathy