Deferred Maintenance - what a great metaphor, I love it! Who knew that quotes from Century 21 could apply so directly to our lives!? I asked a busy sandwicher the other day what she would do with a free hour to herself and she couldn't come up with any non-care related tasks because it had been so long and she was so overwhelmed. Looking forward to reading more about what you did and how it impacted you!
My heart goes out to that overwhelmed, "busy sandwicher." Sometimes a little self care can feel like a victory, right? All we can do is do what we can ... and then just be. All best to you, Christine!
I loved the sign over the tilting door and the sinking house. Smile! Who smiles at anything these days? But the weeping house can be a source of humor---maybe---if you didn't live there. I identify with the slowly sinking foundation and the peeling paint. I, too, am retired and now in my last act, but the stuff is still piling up. As I do this, I need to make 4 phone calls, send 4 emails, write a poem for my poetry group, clean up the dirty dishes, and water the plants. Then there is helping the healing of my knee and reorganizing the medicine cabinet. Living----that's the culprit-- but my last act isn't coming to an end soon. So, I take naps when I want to, eat chocolate occasionally and have coffee with friends. The paint peels and the foundation sinks and still I smile. :)
Carolann, I love this. There's something to the idea of just letting things be and smiling. I can almost hear a poem emerging in what you wrote, by the way. I'm glad to hear you're writing these days!
For what it’s worth, Sarah, my “New Year’s resolution “ list does not seem to change from year to year. This makes me wonder if my list is really stuff I don’t want to do and maybe don’t have to do. I am retired and no longer in the “sandwich generation “ so realistically, I could tackle some of my “to do” list items with more gusto if I chose to do so. I guess this means that I have the time but not the will. According to your description, maybe I’m taking care of myself, after all.
Sue, I love your conclusions! Maybe some of these things on our lists can simply be crossed off and abandoned. I'm all for that, at this point! And I'm glad to hear you're taking care of yourself. Thanks for setting a good example for me. :) Take care!
Very good analogy, Sarah! I might print out that image of the car as a reminder!
I'd only like to add that I've read how many people and 'things' are pulling your time in many directions these last few years, and I STRONGLY relate to that, even now, with just Mum and myself, I've already pivoted 3 times in 2 days. Suffice to say, we may not need to dedicate time for the FULL maintenance, but I'd suggest getting help or breaking it into smaller, manageable pieces over time so it's less scary and grating on the nerves! (aka convincing myself as I write this in a comment to you ;-) ) My list did a mini-explosion yesterday with a house issue, so your post is perfectly timed! I literally called for help earlier today, so it's now in the 'moving forward' pile.
"Pivoting" is seriously a lifestyle, isn't it? My mentor used to tell me "we need to be 'nimble,'" when it came to our advocacy campaigns, and I think that was excellent training for this season of life. I hope your house issue is quickly resolved and that things even out. As much as can be expected anyway ♥️. I love that you have a "moving forward" pile!
YES, I think Pivoting and agility are the levelling up human-skills we ALL need to unlearn, relearn ;-) Thanks, Sarah...I had another issue appear Friday. Sometimes it can feel the issue pile never goes down...that's when we need to step away from the piles and get a big mug of tea or go for a walk! I hope alls well with you.
Yes to that big mug of tea and walks! I just finished up the former, and my dog is summoning me for the latter ... he seems to know when I've hit my limit. ;)
And I get it ... the issue pile rarely does go down ... so we might as well take our breaks and take care of ourselves. <3
Lovely Sarah.
Thank you, Lindsey <3
Deferred Maintenance - what a great metaphor, I love it! Who knew that quotes from Century 21 could apply so directly to our lives!? I asked a busy sandwicher the other day what she would do with a free hour to herself and she couldn't come up with any non-care related tasks because it had been so long and she was so overwhelmed. Looking forward to reading more about what you did and how it impacted you!
My heart goes out to that overwhelmed, "busy sandwicher." Sometimes a little self care can feel like a victory, right? All we can do is do what we can ... and then just be. All best to you, Christine!
I loved the sign over the tilting door and the sinking house. Smile! Who smiles at anything these days? But the weeping house can be a source of humor---maybe---if you didn't live there. I identify with the slowly sinking foundation and the peeling paint. I, too, am retired and now in my last act, but the stuff is still piling up. As I do this, I need to make 4 phone calls, send 4 emails, write a poem for my poetry group, clean up the dirty dishes, and water the plants. Then there is helping the healing of my knee and reorganizing the medicine cabinet. Living----that's the culprit-- but my last act isn't coming to an end soon. So, I take naps when I want to, eat chocolate occasionally and have coffee with friends. The paint peels and the foundation sinks and still I smile. :)
Carolann, I love this. There's something to the idea of just letting things be and smiling. I can almost hear a poem emerging in what you wrote, by the way. I'm glad to hear you're writing these days!
For what it’s worth, Sarah, my “New Year’s resolution “ list does not seem to change from year to year. This makes me wonder if my list is really stuff I don’t want to do and maybe don’t have to do. I am retired and no longer in the “sandwich generation “ so realistically, I could tackle some of my “to do” list items with more gusto if I chose to do so. I guess this means that I have the time but not the will. According to your description, maybe I’m taking care of myself, after all.
Sue, I love your conclusions! Maybe some of these things on our lists can simply be crossed off and abandoned. I'm all for that, at this point! And I'm glad to hear you're taking care of yourself. Thanks for setting a good example for me. :) Take care!
Very good analogy, Sarah! I might print out that image of the car as a reminder!
I'd only like to add that I've read how many people and 'things' are pulling your time in many directions these last few years, and I STRONGLY relate to that, even now, with just Mum and myself, I've already pivoted 3 times in 2 days. Suffice to say, we may not need to dedicate time for the FULL maintenance, but I'd suggest getting help or breaking it into smaller, manageable pieces over time so it's less scary and grating on the nerves! (aka convincing myself as I write this in a comment to you ;-) ) My list did a mini-explosion yesterday with a house issue, so your post is perfectly timed! I literally called for help earlier today, so it's now in the 'moving forward' pile.
"Pivoting" is seriously a lifestyle, isn't it? My mentor used to tell me "we need to be 'nimble,'" when it came to our advocacy campaigns, and I think that was excellent training for this season of life. I hope your house issue is quickly resolved and that things even out. As much as can be expected anyway ♥️. I love that you have a "moving forward" pile!
YES, I think Pivoting and agility are the levelling up human-skills we ALL need to unlearn, relearn ;-) Thanks, Sarah...I had another issue appear Friday. Sometimes it can feel the issue pile never goes down...that's when we need to step away from the piles and get a big mug of tea or go for a walk! I hope alls well with you.
Yes to that big mug of tea and walks! I just finished up the former, and my dog is summoning me for the latter ... he seems to know when I've hit my limit. ;)
And I get it ... the issue pile rarely does go down ... so we might as well take our breaks and take care of ourselves. <3