Building Rome: Get Happy

Green Embers’ Building Rome theme this week could not have come at a better time.  This week’s theme is:

SETBACKS ARE NOT ROADBLOCKS!

And yes, I really did feel it was that important that I screamed that at you.  Sorry for any ringing eardrums.  🙂

So, anyone who reads this blog knows I’ve had some major “setbacks” lately and have even blogged about the incredible sadness and loneliness I have been feeling, that have been created by said roadblocks.

After some discussion with the ever-so-wise QoB, my unhappiness problem can be eased by three things, which are going to be this week’s goals:

1) Get out of the house at least once a day.   Even if it’s just to sit out on the back patio or get in the mini-pool or drive down to BP and put gas in the car.  I think this goal is particularly important because it causes one to have to shower and dress, which are altogether motivating in themselves, which leads me to my next goal.

2) No matter what I am doing that day, be dressed, showered, and ready to walk out the door at a moment’s notice by 11:00AM.  I mean, this probably sounds pretty easy to most people, but it just isn’t for me.  Not when I’m feeling bad.  But what I do know from experience is that it DOES work.  Doing all of that gets you motivated to do more stuff, and doing that stuff motivates you to do even more.

3) Stop isolating.  Now.  This could probably go along with number one, but is really is distinctively different.  People are seeking out my company, and I am sometimes saying “no,” all the while whining that I am so lonely.  I do have opportunities to get out, but I am not going because I feel like I’m not good company, because I worry what to talk about, I worry what people are going to think of me.  I just worry.  I have let this problem overcome me before, and I literally turned into a hermit.  Not happening again.

My Do-or-Die Goals:

1) Take care of all  Kizzie’s needs, including play with Kizzie every day for at least 30 minutes.   It amazes me how much happier and relaxed Kizzie is now that Rascal is gone.  She definitely is loving having more time with me and I am (I think) doing a good job at taking care of her.  We have been playing a lot and she’s back to sleeping in the middle of the bed.  🙂

2) Hygiene/Self-Care.  Satisfactory.

3) Take all medications as prescribed.  I sucked.  I’m working on it now.  That is all.

4) Eat healthfully.  Still on a very carb/protein diet.  Not sure that’s quite healthy, but it’s the only thing that keeps my tummy happy.

 

Last Week’s Goals:

1) Continuing to read two hours every day.  Doing it and LOVING it!

2) Ask some friends for feedback about lack of blogging.  Asked, answered, and advice put into effect.

3) Start reducing cigarettes smoked in an attempt to quit which will be upcoming.  Day One was today and I did not meet my exact goal, but I did pretty darn good.  Hopefully Day Two will be easier.

27 thoughts on “Building Rome: Get Happy”

  1. Item 2 is a big one. I joke about teleworking in pajamas, but even casually dressed I can see a difference in my productivity. Strange but true.

    Good for revising goals and working on items in progress. Rock on!

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    • I know, isn’t that odd? Just by taking a shower and getting dressed, you get this big oomph of motivation. At least I do. Now if only it wasn’t so hard to drag my happy ass into the shower and into some regular clothes! 😀

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  3. It all sounds great, but I’d put off trying to quit smoking right this moment. Settle down a bit first. I’m very very very much in favor of quitting, but you really don’t need to add another layer of stress right this moment, do you? Timing matters. I think you’re doing great, but then again, only you really know how you’re doing.

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    • I totally hear what you’re saying about waiting to quit. I’m not at a “quitting point” right now, I’m just cutting back. I need the money I’m spending on cigs for groceries and it is altogether ridiculous to cough the way I do or to have to depend on inhalers to breathe. I just feel like I can’t keep going this way, so I am taking baby steps (gradually reducing smoking) to quit. I wouldn’t even say I’m a month or so away from quitting altogether, probably longer.

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  4. Great goals but not as easy as they sound. Especially getting cleaned up and dressing each day. At least that’s my biggest struggle. I do agree with Marilyn, you may want to put off quitting for now. I’m standing on the sidelines with my pom poms and rooting for you.

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  5. Hi! Nice to meet you! I can so relate to the isolating thing and to getting out at least once every day. During the last few weeks, I haven’t had outside obligations every day, and it’s so easy to isolate and feel myself sink a little bit more each day. But I, too, found that saying yes to social engagements, and getting out and walking to a coffee shop did a lot to help me feel more connected. I’m still waiting for a little more motivation, but there is progress. I hope you have a good week!

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    • Hi Deborah! 😀 It’s nice to meet you as well. Yes, isolating is a major issue for me and if I don’t take care of it right away, it gets out of control. I just found myself an hour ago turning down my dad for a trip to the ice cream shop because I wasn’t feeling up to being around anyone (today was my first day back at work after over six weeks off due to illness). I know I need to say “Yes!” more often and I am working on that. I hope you have a good week, too! 🙂

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  6. I have to say that the overall tone of this post is very upbeat and fits the title of Happy! I’m very pleased for you!

    I understand the importance of #1 – getting out of the house. Some days, for me, if it weren’t for the fact that I’m a compulsive letterbox checker, I would have no reason to get out of doors, walk the dozen steps to the mail box and the return dozen to the house. Sometimes I have a feeling of jarring surprise – “whoa! Who put this backyard here, where the backyard is supposed to be?”

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    • Yes, getting out of the house is crucial for me. And I also get that almost disorienting feeling sometimes, like, “wow, why did I park my car there?” or especially going back to work today (which I will hopefully blog about later today.). So yeah, I get it. Getting out is very important!

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  8. Thanks for your support on my post, Rosie. These are good goals, and maybe you saw from what I wrote why I’d be biased. Many of these goals are ones I’m working on, too! Seriously. I know that getting dressed and getting out of the house is helpful to me as well. Let me know how you do, okay?

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  9. What I appreciate most about your blog, Jaklumen (or is it just Jak?), is that you are just so very honest. I feel like I am that way in my blog, so I really appreciate it in another’s.

    You should really think about joining Building Rome. It’s on Green Embers’ website and it’s meant for people to jump in at any time. I have found it very motivating!

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  10. Excellent point on NOT isolating…We see this problem in the elderly, retired, invalids, etc. The mind does wander around in on itself and problems magnify. Thanks for highlighting this! You’re inspiring.

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    • Well thank you! Yes, when I worked in the mental health field, it was something we worked about with our clients on a daily basis. I think especially impaired were the mentally ill retired/elderly. There just aren’t a lot of activities (especially here) for them to go do, and they oftentimes can’t get out by themselves. I feel like services for people like myself and the people you mentioned above have improved over the last several years, though. Thank you so much for dropping by and saying hi! 🙂

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  12. Pingback: BR 31 – It’s a coming! | Green Embers

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