Who am I & What is this Handbasket?

[Dogmama]

Maybe it's a change of life thing. Maybe it's the result of a week long vacation. Maybe I'm just suffering from analysis paralysis & need to take action.

Why don't I do the things that nourish my soul anymore? Like long bike rides, massages, yoga, eating good organic foods & keeping contact with my friends?

When did I decide that fast gym workouts, long hours in the office and arguing with dim-bulbs (NOT this forum) were more important?

When did I decide that my outside appearance was more important than my inside serenity?

How do you escape the judgemental eyes of your boss, coworkers & society in general? How do you decide that your own wellbeing is more important than an annual evaluation at work? How do you decide that the gossip of co-workers & others ("Look! She only worked 8 hours today!") is crap and take care of yourself?

[Veronica]

Get out of the basket quickly!

My basket led me to gain 15 pounds in a year. Get out now!


Seriously... we humans seem to forget how precious our time is sometimes and get wrapped in the petty crap that makes us human and doesn't count for diddly.

What did I just say? It made sense in my head.

V.

[Trek420]

V, it made more sense the 2nd time

Who was it who said "No ones last words were "I should have spent more time in the office"?

[mtbdarby]

DM, how wonderfully weird that this board coincides with my daily life!
I've been thinking the same thing lately. I REALLY was looking forward to getting out and riding this weekend and didn't. Why? Laundry, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn, rain and walking the dogs won out. Were they bad choices?? Not necessarily. I walked the dogs in the pouring rain Saturday morning and thoroughly enjoyed myself! (I was glad I was walking and not biking in that downpour). Then I opted to sleep in both days and went to church on Sunday - to a sermon about dieting and how our spiritual fitness is more important than physical fitness (even though it's important too).

So even though we need to take care of ourselves physically, it's more important to take care of us on the inside - to love ourselves, be happy, and enjoy this life we've been given. All while being coworkers, moms, sisters, wives and friends. It's a delicate balance but well worth the effort put into it.

I've decided to join a 6 week study group on the Purpose Driven Life. I've hemmed and hawed because I didn't want to give up a night with my son but decided I needed to do this for me. No guilt, this is something I've wanted to do for a long time. And I NEED some adult communication in my life or I will do nuts!

[kaybee]

Oh DM, I've been having that conflict for a while now. Most days, I deal with it pretty well. I do have to tell you, though, that I've been having lots of conversations with a higher power lately, and have realized that some days it's just not EASY to let it all go. You have to take care of yourself, physically and mentally, first. You also have to realize that the coworkers and the boss that criticize probably probably don't have anything else do do with their time and/or they are jealous. Either way, it's sad, and you do not want to end up like them. When in doubt, do what's healthy for YOU.

KB

[kaybee]

Forgot something -- when you're feeling like this, it's especially important that you go out and do whatever it is that makes you feel better, whether it's riding, walking, running, hiking, whatever. Not many things bother me after a good 6-7 mile run! (Hmm, maybe that's why I decided to train for a half marathon.) By the way -- I finally "escaped" when I decided that life is too short to care what anyone who is not important to me thinks.

KB

[roshelleuop]

Dogmama,

I think lately the ONLY thing that has kept me grounded has been my faith in God (like several of the other ladies have mentioned). If you are not a christian, I apologize for posting this to you, but I'm going to post it anyway incase someone else would like to read it.

Woman today not only have to raise their children (including husband ), but many of us also have full-time jobs!!!! I think many times people still categorize women as the caregiver, the house cleaner, the chef, the doctor, etc. but what about the 8 - 10 hour day I also just worked!!! When I get to the point where I want to just scream SCREW THE WORLD!!!! I take a minute, say a prayer and force my mind to slow down, and God very quickly makes me rememeber how incredibly blessed I am!

I remember I have three (not cheap) bikes in my basement that I ride regularly with my functioning legs and arms and not to mention I was able to afford them. I also have my running shoes sitting by the door that I'm able to use whenver I want without the help of a machine or nurse. Then I keep going and remember that even though my kids and husband demand every waking moment of my time for one thing or another (that they could probably have cared for on their own ) I am so incredibly blessed that they are there, we have a house over our head, and are all healthy. Just my two cents on how I get through the day!

Also, MTBDARBY~~ I see you are from Wisconsin, are you doing the Purpose Driven Life at Elmbrook Church by any chance??? My family attends there and I've also been contemplating giving up a day (that I would usually probably go for a ride or run) to do it!!! Just curious!!!

Roshelle from Milwaukee
http://wisconsinbetties.blogspot.com/

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Roshelle,
I think your post is relevent to the issue being discussed. I feel much the same way you do too, and I have similar ways of coping as well.
I happen to be an Atheist, but that does not prevent me from feeling "blessed" by the things in my life that I know others do not have. (goodhealth, a place to live, food, good friends, people who love me and who I love back, etc.) Like you, I often reflect on how grateful I am to have these things in my life, and how I must try to share some of those good things with those who may not have. I get strength and resolve from such reflections, and contemplating it all helps me to cope with stressful events and situations that naturally are a part of life too.

[mlove]

I have grappled with this for years. Faculty members think I should be around whenever they need me and the students think I work 24/7. My brothers "tease" me because I don't work a 60-80 hour week--but I don't earn the kind of money for that many hours. Of course none of them see the computer work on the weekends, the grading and keeping up with class prep, even though it isn't really part of my job to teach.

Having been in therapy three times since I took this job in 1990, there are no easy answers. Working out at the gym lowers my high levels of adrenaline. Having started riding this summer has helped. Knowing I am retiring in two months is definitely making a difference. But I still wake up at 4:30, wondering if I can get through the working day and what unpleasant things will hit me.

Spend time with people you enjoy and make time for activities you want to do. Easier to say than to do, but everything worthwhile takes some thought and effort.

[xeney]

This is a big problem for me. After a really, really bad year -- huge, crushing workload, a couple of miscarriages, my husband deciding that he didn't want kids anyway -- I decided that the least I could do for myself was to stop working weekends, to tell my firm that I can't do every single thing they ask me to do, and just dial it back a notch. But then two coworkers went out with medical problems that make my life look like a picnic, so there went that plan. There is no end in sight and most weeks it seems like there is not one thing I can do to bring a little joy to my life. Most weeks it is a struggle to find 20 minutes to work out, to walk the dogs, to clean the bathroom, to read a book.

I am the primary breadwinner and that makes the strain worse, probably, because I never have the option of just walking away. Although that option looks better and better.

[mtbdarby]

Rochelle,
I'm up here in Merrill, so it's at Trinity Lutheran church. Just deciding to do the course has pepped me up a bit! I'm really looking forward to it.

[roshelleuop]

Good for you! I'm thinking about doing the course this winter after all cycling events have slowed down. Good luck and if you remember when it's all over, let me know how it is!!!!

Take care!!!!

Roshelle

[mimitabby]

This is a big problem for me. After a really, really bad year -- huge, crushing workload, a couple of miscarriages, my husband deciding that he didn't want kids anyway -- I decided that the least I could do for myself was to stop working weekends, to tell my firm that I can't do every single thing they ask me to do, and just dial it back a notch. But then two coworkers went out with medical problems that make my life look like a picnic, so there went that plan. There is no end in sight and most weeks it seems like there is not one thing I can do to bring a little joy to my life. Most weeks it is a struggle to find 20 minutes to work out, to walk the dogs, to clean the bathroom, to read a book.

I am the primary breadwinner and that makes the strain worse, probably, because I never have the option of just walking away. Although that option looks better and better.

Xeney, boy you have really gone through a lot. Sometimes you really have to ask, is this (situation, partner, job) what you want, today, tomorrow, the rest of your life?
do you really want to stay where you are?
for the rest of your only life?

[Bad JuJu]

Xeney--I have to agree with Mimi--you sound so unhappy! I could think of a couple of suggestions, like hiring someone to clean the house maybe a couple of times a month, or getting the non-primary breadwinner to pitch in a little with the bathroom-cleaning and dog-walking. But those are just stop-gap measures, when the real issue lies in asking yourself those questions Mimi asked.

On the other hand, I'm no shining example. I have a great campus gym where I can work out, but only go sporadically. I love yoga, but only get there about once or twice a month. Absolutely KNOW I need to eat better, but somehow...don't. Loving to ride my bike and actually doing it are my saving graces. And remembering, like Lisa S.H., all the good things I DO and HAVE in my life.

Just my $.02.

[esther231]

Dogmama, good questions. I have no clue.

I think life is a balance. Sometimes, I'm leaning too much in one direction and I start neglecting the other parts of my life. Something wakes me up and I remember to balance again. It happens over and over and over again so you're in great company.

Xeney, I worked 6 days a week for six years. I just went back to 5 days a week this year. What I did during those years that kept me sane was become fiercely protective of my day off. I had to. Sometimes I didn't do anything with the day and sometimes I did alot with the day. I did learn to say no - I can't come to whatever or do whatever - cause I needed some time during the week that was mine. I could fill it up ahead of time with stuff I wanted to do but I wouldn't allow it to fill up with stuff that I didn't really want to do. Hang in there.