Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

Meh

I seem to have lost my motivation for diary keeping 🙁  Sitting here now I'm struggling to write anything.  My mood has been quite flat since the whole 'Tier' approach was introduced.  That combined with increasing case numbers, the approaching winter and end of British Summer Time has tipped me over the edge.  I don't feel low particularly but I don't feel my normal happy self either.

I'm trying to keep busy every day as that seems to help - a little gardening, a little housework, a little virtual socialising and some creative activity.  In fact, I'm making good progress in all areas.  My creative outlet at the moment is (ironically) writing.  I've re-joined my Writing Group's Z00m meeting and have promised to finish a Halloween story to read to them by Tuesday so that's given me a bit of focus.  An old friend who hasn't been up to socialising for the last six months got back in touch last night which is fantastic and I've arranged a video call games night with her and her hubby tomorrow so that's something to look forward to.

Builder has been out to pressure wash the patio ready for sealing.  However, the mortar seems to be coming out so that and a couple of other minor fixes need to be sorted first.  Our new windows were due to be fitted mid-October but they're now saying mid-November at the earliest 😲  I'm not happy about it but there's not much I can do.  I'll call them in a week or so and push for an installation date.

I've been keeping up the yoga and am seeing some real improvement in my flexibility.  I was always really good at head stands so I'm going to work up to doing those again and also hand stands which I've never been really good at.  If I can crack those at my age it will be a huge accomplishment.  I'm off to do another session now so listen out for the crash 😂

Take care everyone

Fortune x

the_cross_rabbit

I think quite a lot of people are feeling out of sorts at the moment. I finding it very hard to stay positive and motivated, feels like I’m pushing a large square stone up a mountain at the moment. Take care. Off to find a chisel to try and alter the stone.
CRx

themadvix

Glad to hear you're keeping busy Fortune - that's got to be the way forward! I think it's hard to find motivation at this time of year anyway, with the weather, the light and the clocks, and this year is going to be especially hard without much to look forward to this side of the days getting longer. Now I've written that I'm wondering how I'll cope! *Chants 'we will get through this, we will get through this'.* 

I did a bit of yoga this morning and really must get back into it and do a longer session too. I find my flexibility improves hugely when I'm doing it, but reverts quickly when I'm not. I was not very stretchy this morning! No crashes heard, so hope you've managed your headstand!

tedlewis355

Yes a lot of stressed and anxious peps out there

still hope things will get back to normal soo

badmemory

It almost feels like an adreneline (sp) crash.  I had no problem during the original lockdown, didn't leave the house for 5 weeks.  But suddenly about 10 days ago I just had this feeling of why bother.  No idea where it came from.  But I sat in the hairdressers yesterday having my cut & colour like I've have for at least 20 years & wondered why I was bothering.  I am currently trying to administer a kick up the backside because this is definitely NOT acceptable.  Maybe it is time to see if the sunbed I have in the loft is still working.

Fortune_Smiles

the_cross_rabbit said:

I think quite a lot of people are feeling out of sorts at the moment. I finding it very hard to stay positive and motivated, feels like I’m pushing a large square stone up a mountain at the moment. Take care. Off to find a chisel to try and alter the stone.
CRx

One day at a time, one step at a time @the_cross_rabbit.  I am imagining you chiselling that stone into a beautiful sculpture.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

Glad to hear you're keeping busy Fortune - that's got to be the way forward! I think it's hard to find motivation at this time of year anyway, with the weather, the light and the clocks, and this year is going to be especially hard without much to look forward to this side of the days getting longer. Now I've written that I'm wondering how I'll cope! *Chants 'we will get through this, we will get through this'.* 

I did a bit of yoga this morning and really must get back into it and do a longer session too. I find my flexibility improves hugely when I'm doing it, but reverts quickly when I'm not. I was not very stretchy this morning! No crashes heard, so hope you've managed your headstand!

It works for me @themadvix.  I feel as though I'm accomplishing things even if they are just little things.  The yoga is helping too as I'm practising two or three times a week so can see progress happening quite quickly.  No headstand this time though... I'm having to work up to it 😆  It may take some time...

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

tedlewis355 said:

Yes a lot of stressed and anxious peps out there

still hope things will get back to normal soo

Thanks for popping in @tedlewis355.  Yes, hard for everyone.  Really hoping there's some good news soon.  We jolly well could do with some.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

badmemory said:

It almost feels like an adreneline (sp) crash.  I had no problem during the original lockdown, didn't leave the house for 5 weeks.  But suddenly about 10 days ago I just had this feeling of why bother.  No idea where it came from.  But I sat in the hairdressers yesterday having my cut & colour like I've have for at least 20 years & wondered why I was bothering.  I am currently trying to administer a kick up the backside because this is definitely NOT acceptable.  Maybe it is time to see if the sunbed I have in the loft is still working.

Maybe we need to be a bit kinder to ourselves @badmemory.  This is an unusual and challenging situation - it's not surprising we're all feeling below par.  I put together a 'survival plan' during the first lockdown, then as restrictions lifted didn't feel the need for it.  Now restrictions are back another 'survival plan' is required of course but I haven't implemented one yet.  Keeping busy works for me but self-care is important too.  I find I'm not blow-drying my hair or painting my nails because, as you say, why bother?  However, I always feel better if I do so I'll factor that into the plan.  Having said that, I have decided to 'embrace the grey'.  During the first lockdown my colour grew out and I realised there was very little difference between my natural colour and my highlighted colour.  That's going to save me £300 to £400 a year 😲  But I am intending to spend that on other me stuff 😁

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

One Day at a Time

Thanks for your comments guys.  They are much appreciated and have perked me up no end.  I have decided I need another 'Survival Plan' to get me through the coming months.  Keeping busy will be the main stay including the hobbies I enjoy alongside the chores.  Also self-care so paying attention to my health and well-being.

It's hard to keep an eye to the future at the moment but I don't want to go entirely off plan with the money saving so, as always, I'll be striving for balance.

So today I have:

• done an hour's yoga practice.  I'm really enjoying it and making good progress... although no head or hand stands yet 😉  I'm wondering whether I'll go back to classes now.  I pay around £95 per term so could just continuing practising at home and save the money
• cooked three meals based on what needs using up in the fridge and what home-grown produce we have in store - smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on muffins, Feta, Sweetcorn & Chard Tacos and Slow-Cooked Sausages in Apple Gravy with mash and peas.  The chard was from the veg patch and is probably the last we'll get.  The apples were from the last bag we picked from our Tom Putt tree in the hedgerow and the mash and onion from our harvest store.  There are enough sausages for tomorrow's supper and a portion for the freezer
• completed some housework.

I'd intended to have a nice, hot bubble bath this evening but I want to do some work on my Halloween story and I've run a bit short of time for both.  Think I'll have a shower instead and keep the bath for Sunday.  Because I'm being disciplined about getting the chores done during the week I can spend the weekend doing more of the fun stuff.  So tomorrow I'm planning to carve a pumpkin 👻  I carve one every year with a different design each time.  Hardly anybody sees it as we're at the end of a no-through road but I enjoy doing it and it's a mark of the season so I've decided to keep up the tradition.

Thanks again guys and take care all

Fortune x