Hey there, Sharing is Caring Members!
Been a while, but I haven’t forgotten you. September was a blur. Gone in the blink of an eye.
Anyone else experience this fast forward, what the hell, where did the time go phenomenon?
No? Just me? Alrighty then…
Time for a wellness journey update.
As you can probably tell from the general sassiness of this blog, my depression has finally lifted. I’m feeling motivated and recharged. Then again, fall does that to me. It’s my favorite season. October my favorite month. Hellooo, sweater weather, warm booties, crisp apples, fall decorating, and Halloween.
So What’s New?
Well, for starters, I’m writing again, working on book two in the Joint Task Team series. I have made a conscious decision to self-publish book one in the fall of 2021, and want to have book two waiting in the wings ready to go. When I think about all the work, time, and money investment that goes along with becoming an indie author, I get overwhelmed—FAST!
But here’s the thing, last month, I participated in a thirty-day Accountability Challenge. Designed to get participants moving towards their goals, the challenge offered an opportunity to make and report on daily targets, learn what works and doesn’t work for our personal circumstances, and find ways to keep moving forward amid so much uncertainty in the world.
What I learned, or maybe already knew, but the challenge solidified for me, is that my bigger goals easily overwhelm me. The finish line, an ever-moving target with scary as fuck unknowns lurking behind every door, is intimidating.
If I self-publish, will people like my books? Will the money I spend on book covers, marketing, professional editing be wasted? Will all my reviews be scathing? Am I a fraud? Will I ever finish writing another novel in a series?
Will I… Will I… Will I…
And on and on I go.
The self-doubt is crippling.
So what did I do to set myself up for success? I set my daily targets low. Today I will write one page. Today I will start a new scene. Today I will do my best to make it through this workday without maiming anyone. Today I will read this new book. Today I will finish writing this chapter.
Well, guess what? My passion for writing was rekindled. Creativity returned. My productivity went up. My mood stabilized. My crippling fear took a back seat. And super happy to report, most days, I exceeded my writing target, and on the days I didn’t, I didn’t beat myself up over it, which is new for me!
Lesson learned—give myself reasonable, achievable targets that move me in the direction of the bigger goal.
Got it. I can do this shit.
So What’s Next?
Yes. I already knew accountability was an important factor in achieving my goals. It’s why I lost fifty pounds when I joined Weight Watchers all those years ago, and why I started this chronic pain blog last January. But we all get lost sometimes, bogged down by life. Beat up by our own personal demons.
2020 didn’t go the way I imagined. When I started my wellness journey, I didn’t anticipate being completely derailed by a worldwide pandemic. I started working longer and longer days, started working weekends, started gaining weight, started feeling dejected, isolated, and hopeless, started suffering from increasing pain levels.
Summer slipped past me, largely unnoticed.
Then September hit, I signed up for the Accountability Challenge, and I was reminded, when I set small goals for myself, with some sort of daily or weekly check-in, I usually meet or surpass my targets.
So, I’m doing it again.
I’m restating my intentions. 2020 is not over. I’m still on my wellness journey. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, it’s time to refocus.
My goals: (Not in any particular order)
Goal: Write and post two blogs in October.
Target: Write and post this blog on October 1. WOO-HOO! Nailed it. Target achieved.
Goal: Lose the COVID weight plus the twenty pounds of pre COVID weight gain.
Target: Lose one pound this week.
Goal: Repair the damaged tooth that is ripping the shit out of my tongue.
Target: Make a dentist appointment. WOO-HOO! Appointment made. Target Achieved.
Goal: Reduce the physical pain I’m in.
Target: Eliminate bread from diet to reduce inflammation starting today.
Goal: Work towards the completion of the current work in progress.
Target: Write one to five pages by next week.
Small Doable Targets.
That’s it. Small doable targets to manage those thoughts and feelings that overwhelm, leading to action paralysis.
As for accountability? Well, I stated my intentions here for a reason. I’ll pop back in to let you know how the above went.
There’s more (of course, there’s always more) I need to do to get my wellness journey back on track and my pain under control, but I’m taking baby steps. And yeah, WINTER is coming, and you all know I’m not the Queen of the North, so that’s a niggling worry in the back of my mind.
For now, I’m feeling good. Which is to say, I’m in pain, but I’m optimistic, even though I’m positive today’s x-ray and ultrasound will not indicate anything abnormal with my too sore to move left shoulder.
How about you? How’s everyone coping? How do you set your goals? Big chunks or small? What have you accomplished that you’re happy with/proud of/just wanted to get fucking done?
Anyway…that’s it for now, friends. Hope everyone is staying safe and sane!
Until the next blog—peace out pain sufferers.
Current pain level 7/10.
Glad to see you back to your old f-bomb dropping ways. Some excellent reminders here on setting small goals to help you get out of a slump! Looking forward to October’s Blog #2
Thanks, Diane. The F-bombs have been prolific!
I think the thing I am most proud of is that today I celebrate 11 months of being on my own!
The fear of the unknown kept me in a bad relationship for way to long! I finally took the leap and haven’t looked back.
I too started a wellness journey to help manage my chronic pain. I started in April. I do standing yoga and meditation almost every night. If I miss a night I suffer. So, if I know I have something planned for the evening or like today I knew I would be to exhausted to do it tonight I made time during my break to do it.
My pain levels are more manageable if I practice a Yoga and Meditation.
Another big thing for my wellness is getting out into nature, there are a few trails I walk on and a few rocks I sit on to contemplate life, meditate or just sit!
I look forward to reading your next blog post and your books.
YAY to independence and feeling good about ourselves! What is this standing Yoga you speak of? Must do some research! Also need to get my butt out for a nature walk. Love fall!
Find an absolutely fantastic and free quite to meditation, including standing yoga right here:
https://palousemindfulness.com/
Yes, Edith…. this is the one I do. It is a gentle 20 minute yoga routine that I have now added yoga poses too (more standing yoga) I am now up to 40 minutes a day and it’s helped with the pain. I try to do it 7 days a week and I meditate for at least 10 minutes once a day. Sometimes more.
This routine has helped reduce pain and helped in other ways as well.
Thanks, Lyse!
Will give it a try.
Thanks, Diane!
Adding to my goals.
thanks for another good read Edith . i to made it through work without maiming anyone so far anyway lol. i learnt a few things from your blog today and that is to stop beating myself up for not being perfect with everything ,and to set smaller goals for a day to day achievement … The one thing that surprised me is you said stop eating bread to reduce the inflammation starting today . i didn,t know bread caused that ,but am willing to give that a shot myself .if it works whynot … it,s been a rough couple months working through this pandemic crap, so have been going through stages of happy, mad, glad ,sad on the daily …hopefully all will go back to normal soon ,,, take care ,stay safe ,looking forward to the next blog …Liliane
Thanks for reading, Liliane! Yes! We need to stop beating ourselves up – we’re in enough pain already. Now that you mention it maybe bread is not causing inflammation but it is definitely contributing to my general feelings of unwellness. Will pay attention to how I feel as the days/weeks go by and will report back!
So glad your back! I started a list of to do things for a week at a time. It is helping me to keep moving. This last month has been a terrible time for pain! Most days have a hard time walking or lifting my right arm . One day at a time !
Thanks! Should have title this blog One Day at a Time! Hope you feel better(ish) soon!
You’ve got this, girlfriend!
One day at a time. Always.
Thanks, Suzanne!
Hi Edith..I have been in chronic pain for many years with osteoarthritis and OPMD…some days I can’t function..
I have also been doing the “one day at a time” and try not to beat myself up but it’s not always easy..
I write littles notes of things to do “today” and feel good when I can cross them out as done..
Hope you are doing well
Auntie Leonne
So hard not to be hard on ourselves! Need to add self-kindness as a goal!