Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

MovingForwards

You are beginning to see the lightbulb flicker Ren. The negatives are so much easier to see than the positives.

A piece of paper / back of an envelope to list tasks for the week, then tick / cross them off. You could even do it by days of the week. Everything from washing up, having lunch, preparing a shopping list, weeding 1ft square goes on and it allows you to see what you have achieved, without realising you are learning to plan. Do that for a few months and it becomes second nature.

I assume the bank is too far to take a slow stroll back from. (1) saves half the bus fare (2) don't need to be around others, although it's possible not many people are using the bus anyway.

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

You are beginning to see the lightbulb flicker Ren. The negatives are so much easier to see than the positives.
Ha! Yes, there is a glimmer there somewhere....
A piece of paper / back of an envelope to list tasks for the week, then tick / cross them off. You could even do it by days of the week. Everything from washing up, having lunch, preparing a shopping list, weeding 1ft square goes on and it allows you to see what you have achieved, without realising you are learning to plan. Do that for a few months and it becomes second nature.
I did start doing this for household stuff/activity levels, and I even splashed out on a cheap notebook, so I know it does work. If I don't list, I don't do....
I assume the bank is too far to take a slow stroll back from. (1) saves half the bus fare (2) don't need to be around others, although it's possible not many people are using the bus anyway.

The bank is a bus trip away in a small town, and as its raining (again) I wussed out and bought a return. £3.60. Seems a huge fare to me... however, it was worth it.

2 of 3 done! Savings account open! I got the paperwork and waved it in front of the right person... only to be told to do it on-line, duh! Then went home and did it... I am gormless, ha! But finally got my brain in gear.

Not a waste though, I sussed out new opening hours at bank, and waiting system. I re-registered at the only library for miles around. Bizarre experience as the only one in it, but, achieved another goal I had been wanting to do for months - access to free books and not buying any. Again, saw they are well-organised with distancing, etc, opening hours checked. Came out with 6 books! Job is a good 'un! 

Gave me a 2 hour outing, lots of fresh air, and the sun briefly made an appearance so I wasn't completely soaked...

MovingForwards

Congratulations! You did it 🥳
Does this mean you have online banking?

How wonderful the library has opened up and you grabbed some books. Have a look in the cooking section as they do have some useful ones. Is that in walking distance or is that part of your day out on the buses?

Two tasks down and the week has barely started!

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Congratulations! You did it 🥳
Does this mean you have online banking?
Yes! Yay! Finally got poor old brain into gear....
How wonderful the library has opened up and you grabbed some books. Have a look in the cooking section as they do have some useful ones. Is that in walking distance or is that part of your day out on the buses?
It's in the same small town, the local one I could walk to sadly shut years ago, so I will have to bus the books back. I think that's why it's taken me so long to do it!
Two tasks down and the week has barely started!

Go me! 

MovingForwards

Yes, go you!
The Ren from a few months ago would still be panicking about £9 for food 😉
The new Ren is budgeting, shopping and becoming aware of the 'value' of money and not just spending 🤗

Irenadler

Going to the library was, well I keep saying it, weird. 

Of the 2 staff & me, travelling around their one-way signage and book browsing, I could swear I was being followed around by one of them to see where I touched anything, and it being vigorously wiped behind me.... I really had to force myself not to look. So I was careful to only lean down to read titles/authors, pick up and check blurb on rear, and I think I only put one carefully back on the shelf... In the end, it made me feel so uncomfortable I stopped looking & squinting sideways and got the books just from the end of the aisles...

I was fully expecting to be hosed down with disinfectant at the issue desk... I mean, I know I can be paranoid sometimes, but this was definitely not my own brain fart. All p.c.'s were shut down & not in use, which is understandable, but probably accounted for lack of people in there.
MSE Side of it:

Still on the positive side it was free, and I have free books to read, if I can get to properly concentrate on them...

MovingForwards

Perhaps they were checking to make sure you were real and not an imaginary visitor 🤫
I'm sorry that it ruined what should have been an enjoyable browse and selection.
Perhaps stick with keeping £1 a month for a book or two from the charity shop. Gets you something to read and helps others too.

ginnyknit

Hubby used to love a potter in the library while I went shopping but he says the whole experience is ruined now for him. Ithink he spends time now putting the world to rights with the librarian man who wears a beret a jaunty angle - he is a wonderful person and quite suits the beret. Dont forget you can order books for collection and renew ones online now. Then if you dont have the energy to travel you wont get fined. Im hearing a very positive turn to your posts, less of the ' Im going to do' and more 'I have done this' wonderful xx

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

Perhaps they were checking to make sure you were real and not an imaginary visitor 🤫
Hmmmm, guess they aren't used to visitors any more... I am definitely real, last time I checked! Ha!

I'm sorry that it ruined what should have been an enjoyable browse and selection.
Well, not ruined, just not the best feeling for someone like me to feel they are being followed! Still enjoyed looking...
Perhaps stick with keeping £1 a month for a book or two from the charity shop. Gets you something to read and helps others too.

That is probably better - my own mini circulating library... and at least it's walking distance, no bus fares...

Irenadler

ginnyknit said:

Hubby used to love a potter in the library while I went shopping but he says the whole experience is ruined now for him. Ithink he spends time now putting the world to rights with the librarian man who wears a beret a jaunty angle - he is a wonderful person and quite suits the beret. Dont forget you can order books for collection and renew ones online now. Then if you dont have the energy to travel you wont get fined. Im hearing a very positive turn to your posts, less of the ' Im going to do' and more 'I have done this' wonderful xx

Thanks ginnyknit, that's a really good point about collecting and renewals. I always forget stuff, or, think after the event - duh!

It's so sad. I always used the local library until it was shut, even though the hours of opening got weirder and shorter i.e. almost impossible for working people to get into it. 

Yes - I am hoping I am getting better (I won't say completely well, but, improved). Finally starting to get a proper grip on things...cheers!