Watty's Awakening

Watty1

Back at my desk to work. Took most of yesterday off, the pain levels in neck, arm, shoulder have steadily got worse but yesterday was osteopath so had appointment, drank lots of water and came home and went to bed.  Bing watched Toxic Town on Netf1ix  which is excellent if anyone wants a few hours watching.

So tired I would love to take today off too but there is much to do.   Interestingly I cancelled some calls because I felt so awful yesterday, and people fall into two camps, those that responded saying so sorry to hear you are ill and hope you feel better soon and others who send very complaining emails saying how inconvenient for them it was.    It really reinforced my sense of being done. I know they probably have a lot going on in their lives but I want to feel vibrant well and joy in mine rather than just be their "go to" when they have a question and expected to perform regardless of how I feel.

I have reframed this as they pay me and therefore they will assist my retirement goals.

teapot2

Excellent reframing, hope the osteopathic appointment has helped with pain levels.

Slinky

Sorry you're not feeling so good Watty. Your comments about the comments you received yesterday rang the bell of the D list categorisation. 

You might find this an interesting read if you haven't come across something similar before:

https://billsquires.actioncoach.co.uk/2022/06/17/how-to-categorise-clients-and-why-you-should/

daisy_1571

That was interesting reading slinky, thank you

Daisy xxx 

Watty1

That was an interesting read @Slinky and helped me think through my customers.  Some are 'high maintenance' but so appreciative and lovely and always thank me and some are 'high maintenance' and downright rude.   So a further reframe is that it is also going to be really good for me learning to set boundaries.

After PPH i react to 'please' when someone is really very rude and disrespectful so I will start to learn to let that go.   

Another part of healing. It is a lot like peeling an onion I suppose.

Watty1

Pain levels reduced.  The VNM said I looked brighter this morning.   The osteopath has sent me some exercises with a lovely tick sheet so i can make sure i do them.   I feel I can re-join the world a little so I will catch up on work this morning and sort slides for next week's module which is the new one I added based on my own review of the beta course and then take CC out for a wander.

I have invested n another m/chef box for the week ahead simply because whilst I feel below par I'm not getting to meal plan, shop and prep like I need to and the week ahead is busy.  I know it is not really the 'retirement' prep I wanted but the first step to retirement is to sort my business and I want to get work a little more settled as whilst struggling with pain I've just not be working as much as I need to.

Cherryfudge

It's good to hear you are feeling a little better and can get on with some work stuff and riding. Don't forget to schedule in some down time for your self - among other benefits, you will need to know how to relax once you retire!

Have a lovely ride on CC: all this sunshine should be good for both of you.

Suffolk_lass

No advice from me, but a small insight into our retirement. We both worked until shortly before our 61st birthdays. I saved so we could live, day to day, on personal pensions but any large capital things were from savings or waiting for our state pensions, which we both now receive (since 66th birthdays). 

We live modestly by the standards of many but do not miss out, and both have expensive hobbies (bees and motorbikes). We grow a bit of food, not so much from necessity as from flavour, satisfaction, and knowing what is in it. We need a lot less since retiring, from a consumer point of view - clothes in particular (with the exception of bras, I buy very little). It is reassuring to know there is a buffer of savings, which I add to, day by day, because we receive more than we need.

With his third health episode in three and a bit years, my husband is not indestructible and your health cannot be relied upon. It can change in a moment. My frailties are physical (usually old sport) injury derived, but with knock-ons, and all the little things inside me are part of monitoring systems for lumps, bumps and potential nastiness, so in the system. Look after yourself. An example is that I take antihistamine every day, because I get hayfever, leaf-mould rhinitis in autumn and I'm allergic to my cat (apparently living with a short-haired stops the big reaction, were we to have none), and I react with more than average swelling and itchiness if the bees sting me. I happily take two paracetamol with caffeine to stop the tiredness and stiffness after inspecting my bees. It lets me keep going. A compromise? maybe, but a good one for me.

I am treasuring our time together, because who knows when it might change.

CCW007

Watty1 said:

I have invested n another m/chef box for the week ahead simply because whilst I feel below par I'm not getting to meal plan, shop and prep like I need to and the week ahead is busy.  I know it is not really the 'retirement' prep I wanted but the first step to retirement is to sort my business and I want to get work a little more settled as whilst struggling with pain I've just not be working as much as I need to.

How much more would it cost to have takeaways every evening because you are too wiped out to cook? This is self care; you are cooking good food and reducing the pressures on your time 

Watty1

@CCW007 what a lovely way to think of it. Thank you.  The lack of thought but a good meal that is quick to prep has been so helpful when feeling wiped out.

@Suffolk_lass thank you for the insight.   I think the "who knows when it might change" has been, for me, key to coming to this decision.