Simply..not fun!....

30/8/2018

Don't you just hate it when you make a resolution and the very first day something stops you from doing it?

I was too unwell to have breakfast outside today. I was too unwell to have breakfast.

Nothing too serious - but flu-like symptoms and my body just saying Stop. And Sleep.

So I did.

Getting better, but taking a little blog break just the same and leaving you with a question...

Do you find it hard to stop even when you know you should? Even when it is what you'd tell anyone else who was unwell to do?

In A Year To Clear which i am still enjoying Stephanie Bennett Vogt asks the question How do you make things hard for yourself? It was interesting to contemplate that today and even more interesting to ask Why?

24 Comments

Mary

31/8/2018 02:40:36 am

So sorry you are not feeling well. Hope you recover quickly. As for your question, it is very timely. Out of the blue back pain meant I was forced to take it easy...at least one day. Thought I was improving, so what did I do yesterday? Cleared out the linen cupboard (which it seemed had everything but linens in it--cleaning supplies, first aid materials, light bulbs, etc etc. Result:? Partially cleared linen cupboard which I could not finish because of a v. sore back. V. stupid of me.

Freda

5/9/2018 01:38:53 am

The danger point is when you just start to feel better isn't it! You think you're back to normal before you are and get impatient to 'get on' (at least I do!). I am ressiting that this time and on the mend. I hope your back is ok now Mary, and your linen cupboard in great order.

cathy

31/8/2018 08:12:05 am

feel better, Freda!

I do sometimes feel it's hard to stop when I don't feel good. I try to convince myself that I only 'think' I don't feel good because i'm not really wanting to do what I'm doing & therefore have to plow through to complete. Kind of a 'mind over matter' thought process. Also...it's the way I was raised.

Procrastination keeps me from doing things & I'm still working on that even after all these years. Getting better, but so easy to slip back into. Tomorrow's another day attitude only let's things build up.

Freda

5/9/2018 01:41:39 am

Oh we are hard taskmasters are we not? I do all these things (and upbringing has a lot to do with it). I am working on easing up on myself and manage it some of the time....

Lucille

31/8/2018 10:02:43 am

I hope this passes quickly and you are back to full health and ready to enjoy breakfasts outdoors again in the heatwave that we are promised.
I must have been heeding your advice today as I realised that after a mind-numbing visit to Hamley's I probably shouldn't extend the day with a trip to Kew Gardens to meet someone else. I was so glad I didn't. I have often been made to feel faint-hearted by others and now care less what people think.

Freda

5/9/2018 01:44:20 am

Caring less what people think is a skill to be encouraged, worked at (there's the terminology that gets me into trouble!) and believed in. Enjoyed even! I have a way to go..

Mary B

31/8/2018 10:40:14 am

Oh dear ,hope you feel better soon and the sun still shines. Yes I do find it hard to stop. Many days I wish life would slow down and I could have a quieter day. Your question made me realise that so much of it is my personal choice , to rest or to race . Perhaps habits of multitasking motherhood never go away ?!

Freda

5/9/2018 01:47:05 am

Multitasking (though inevitable in motherhood) is much over-rated and your point about it being our choice!! Yes. Let us make wiser choices.

Lotta

31/8/2018 12:41:06 pm

Well done for stopping and sleeping! Hope you feel better soon. It can be difficult can't it... I'm much better at it these days (I learnt the hard way!) and one way I look at it now is that if this body and mind are feeling the need to slow/stop, then that is what they need and who am I to rule otherwise? It always helps. It is a kindness...

Freda

5/9/2018 01:48:55 am

I have always been good at saying this to other people - am finally getting round to taking my own advice. Feeling much better as a result thanks Lotta.

Julia

31/8/2018 02:46:34 pm

I totally understand that, Freda....i hope whatever is ailing you will soon pass..and most likely sooner because you decided to listen to your body and rest! We’ve been in high gear for months here ..and this past week, i vowed to lie on the couch and read..was that ever hard!! I am so used to “producing”, to making a difference, and to feeling i am worthy because i have done something that needed to be done..it was incredibly hard to just read! Luckily, it only took 2 days to reform myself! Not a lifetime! Hahaha

Freda

5/9/2018 01:51:56 am

Well done Julia. But even two days - why is it so hard. Our conditioning/brainwashing/whatever has been very effective has it not. Even relationship are now classed as 'work'. Madness.

Susan

1/9/2018 02:05:24 am

Wishing you a restful few days, whilst you're on blog break, allowing your body to recover from the pesky virus. xS

Freda

5/9/2018 02:37:01 am

It has worked Susan. The thing now is not to do too much too soon. Hard!

Cristiana

1/9/2018 05:39:26 am

Hope you're feeling better, Freda. You know you did well by listening to your body, but I understand how it can be hard to do when it comes to following our own reasoned advice.
As for why we make things harder for ourselves (such an interesting question), I think we trick our minds as we usually do what's easier at the moment instead of doing the hard thing now, overlooking that it will make everything easier in the future. I find it helps when I think in the long run and notice the difference between whats hard now, our harder later.

Freda

5/9/2018 02:42:14 am

Short term versus long term is often a dilemma Cristiana. I have started asking myself 'What is the deeper answer?' when making a decision - even about something quite trivial. I am finding it really useful...
Feeling much better thank you.

cath

1/9/2018 06:40:46 am

Good you are listening to your body. Hope you are feeling (a bit or a lot) better already, but do take it easy.

Freda

5/9/2018 02:42:54 am

A lot better thank you Cath.

Viv link

1/9/2018 09:04:58 am

Just catching up again! Sorry to hear you are not well - hope you are feling better when you read this.
I should always stop gardening at least an hour before I think I will - I always go on far too long to the point where I almost have to skip making any tea as I am so tired and achey

Freda

5/9/2018 02:45:21 am

This is one area where I do take my own advice. When I was teaching garden design I used to say 'Always stop while you still have the energy to put your tools away'. Or set up the meal before you even start?

Susan

2/9/2018 11:19:02 pm

Wishing you a good recuperative week. Love, Susan

Freda

5/9/2018 02:46:35 am

It has been good in an odd way Susan. (Still managed to 'get things done' by clearing out some papers....).

Elizabeth Sandie

4/9/2018 01:52:51 am

Do hope you are on the mend, Freda. I am nothing like as good at keeping resolutions as you. Perhaps I should just resolve not to make any more so as not to disappoint myself! Sometimes make progress in unexpected areas though. Have found your decluttering tips very encouraging. X

Freda

5/9/2018 07:26:46 am

The best possible resolution Elizabeth! Glad you find the decluttering tips useful too.

Simply..not fun!....

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Author

Archives