Living in the present for 2022

makingmehappy

I'm starting a new diary for the coming year. I didn't use my last diary as much as I could have, but I'm hoping to change that this year because I need help to focus on things. 

I've realised that my coping mechanism for the last few years has been to spend most of my time making plans for the future, and thinking I'll just get through this thing, whatever it is, or this week/month and it will all be better. I'm having trouble with thinking like this at the moment, and I think I've really lost the ability to live in the now, so that's what I'm concentrating on. There are things that need to be done, but I will try to bring these down into short term goals.

One day at a time.

Makingmehappy

Dorisd

Hello @makingmehappy didn’t want to read and run, well done on deciding to live in the present. It’s too easy to make plans for the future and then realise today has passed you by. If you can get on a plan and budget it does take the pressure off and you find yourself more in the here and now. Good luck.

anjyeah

Looking ahead at the big goals is always a good start as it keeps us in the mindset. Stopping by here to cheer you on as you tackle your little goals. Good luck! 

makingmehappy

Still practising the living in the present thing and have to keep reminding myself.  

Went back to work last week, and had to spend the weekend recovering from the shock. I definitely feel retirement calling, if only I had enough money! I've started a course that I've wanted to do for a long time. It's related to work and maybe will give me some different options. I probably shouldn't have taken this on as I don't really have time. I'm already behind with the work and will have to ask for an extension to an assignment due this month, which isn't a great start.

Need to sort out a couple of appointments and household admin for my parents, and also some stuff for myself. Other than that, I just want to do some general tidying, clearing and cleaning at both places. Loads of cleaning and maintenance things need to be done, but I don't want to start anything I can't finish and I don't have any energy at the moment.

I really want to focus on my health and fitness this year, as it impacts everything else. I've (eventually) started dry January, and hoping to see some positive effects soon. Maybe I'll even lose some weight 






  

makingmehappy

Still finding the living in the present difficult, mostly due to trying to work out a way to get of work. Work is really horrible at the moment, and I'm feeling quite bad. The last 2 weeks I've had a panic attack on the bus on Monday morning, and I'm feeling sort of a sense of dread all the time. I've felt like this before a couple of times, when I was younger, and I've eventually just handed in my notice and left, but that's not so easy when you're older. I'm too stressed and wound up to leave and find another job, and too stressed and wound up to stay.

So, I'm going to try to face this head on and see if I can find a way to hang on for a couple of years when I'll be closer to state pension age and won't have to make my savings last for so long. If I can find a way out in the meantime, all well and good.

First things first, I'm trying to be disciplined about a morning and evening routine, so that I'm not as tired. It hasn't worked well today because I went to bed late and have been awake since the early hours with things running though my mind. Part of the plan is to go out earlier, walk to a further bus stop 10 minutes away to get a bit of fresh air and exercise, and have a bit of quiet time at work before everyone gets in. Now that we all have to be in the building it's noisy and chaotic again, and I think I've lost the ability to cope with that after the last couple of years.

One day at a time.

Sunshine_girl2

Hi making me happy , your situation is not dissimilar to my own , being near retirement age and being lucky to have two parents still alive. 

I am thinking of going part time in the summer , is this something you could do ? I am lucky in that I enjoy my job and we are still wfh . 

Will subscribe . 

doingitanyway

I know exactly how you are feeling. 
The course sounds good and will give you options and options stop you feeling trapped.
I'm sure many people will struggle with the office after such a long break.
Spurring you on!

makingmehappy

Hello @Sunshine_girl2 and @doingitanyway, thank you for your kind words. I don't really have anyone to talk to about these feelings and stuff just keeps going round in my head, so it's really helpful to hear other thoughts.

Sunshine_girl, my official contract is actually part-time, but I have usually worked extra on a zero hours contract for extra money. There are also extra things in my contract which attract toil, and over the last couple of years, there's just been a lot of extra work done on a goodwill basis. There doesn't seem to be a lot of goodwill coming back from the business now that things are getting back to normal though.

I've reduced back to my part-time contract from now on, and hopefully this will make a difference, although I'm already feeling the back to work Sunday dread. I've managed to get some leave in February, so I'll grit my teeth for the next few weeks and see how I feel after that.

makingmehappy

I'm trying to be a bit more organised about tracking my spending and bills this year, so January total for spending on food and all other stuff apart from transport and usual bills was £166.02.

It probably doesn't sound much, but I'm a bit surprised to be honest, because I thought I was having a no-spend month! I haven't been anywhere apart from work, I've used stuff from cupboards and freezer, I've done dry January. If I've spent this much when I've been watching every penny, I really dread to think what I was spending before.

I'm definitely going to carry on keeping proper notes of spending and bills and being honest with myself about it.

January 

Spends            £166.02
Transport         £54.60
Giving               £5
£10 a day challenge £29.38
NSD                19
Afd                   29
lbs lost             0 (2lbs on!)

Sunshine_girl2

I think the total is very good . I budget £130 for food and £80 for petrol though this does change if I travel further in the month .
I allocate £100 spends for going out , hair dresser etc . 

Have a good weekend . 

Topher

makingmehappy said:

It probably doesn't sound much, but I'm a bit surprised to be honest, because I thought I was having a no-spend month! I haven't been anywhere apart from work, I've used stuff from cupboards and freezer, I've done dry January. If I've spent this much when I've been watching every penny, I really dread to think what I was spending before.

I totally identify with your sentiment, my January total came to £601.49 and I thought I was doing a “No spend month”. There’s a £200 unexpected car repair bill in there, and a £96 trip to the vet’s for our dog. The fuel use isn’t included as I’d filled up in December and need to fill up again now it’s February. I also have a private treatment regularly which currently costs £85 a month. Those extras come to £381.00 which, taken off the month’s total means my spending was £220.49. That money was entirely groceries and household goods, but has nothing to do with the monthly direct debits for heating and running costs.
What keeping an accurate record has done has given me a handle on what’s going on, so I intend to continue to keep a cash book, and try as much as possible to “shop” from the store cupboard (full enough to withstand a siege I think).