Staying/Getting/Doing Well – Moving goalposts or fixed target?

[Paw Prints]

Hi, this is my first post, though I have been reading the forums for some weeks. I’m probably expressing myself badly when I say that I have found reading about other people’s journeys reassuring. Finding a community of people who “get it” even when they have a wide variety of experiences and lives lived is not something I thought I would ever find.

Though people talk about getting well & there is a section Staying Well, I’m curious as to what this actually means to other people and how they manage their expectations. I noticed some people refer to being well as ‘being like themselves before they got ill’, whilst others don’t express an exact aim.

My idea of being well has changed over the years. I was first diagnosed as an 8 year old child back in the late sixties. The doctors told Mum that the voices in my head & the sudden crying bouts were because I suffered from ‘nerves’ & I was given meds to calm me. Of course such things were not discussed back then & I was told not to talk about it to anyone, not my school friends nor siblings, just Mum. For decades after my idea of being well simply meant being able to hide my illness from others.

A number of events in my life caused my illness to worsen, until some years ago I became so ill I needed to be hospitalised for my own safety. This lead to my current diagnosis of Major Depression, Anxiety & PTSD. I’m no longer in that dark place, but each day is still a battle (though I can now believe in a future). For now only my siblings & one friend know about my illness, though some things they still don’t know.
So, what does ‘being well’ mean to me, it is ever moving goalposts. If you had asked me 5 years ago would I be as well as I am now I would have thought it impossible as I couldn’t envision a future. If you had asked me last week (during one of my down periods) I would have said my progress was all an illusion & I was fooling myself that things can get better.
For now my idea of being well is being able to believe that things can change for the better, that I will one day be able to manage the everyday things like housework, caring for myself & caring for my dog & maybe, just maybe I will even be able to enjoy myself.

Paw Prints
**I took the tip to give myself time to write my post by writing on a word doc & then paste it.

[Paw Prints]

I am being a big sooky la la... Woofa seems to know that I'm just being a sook & is ignoring me & completely failing to show any sympathy... which as I protected him from the scary thunder earlier & part of the reason I am being sooky is from me doing something for him... I have told him I think his attitude is very unfair.

My wonky knees & hips haven't liked me since I moved the furniture about... they are also non to pleased with me sitting on the floor trying to screw the flat pack furniture together... my hands aren't enjoying that either... I have sliced the pad on one finger on tinfoil & like a papercut it is throbbing far in excess to its size... then to top things off... this afternoon I was filling Woofas water bowl... slopped some on the floor as I turned away from the sink... despite trying to step over it I still managed to slip... my legs went out from under me & I landed full force on my butt/back... only good thing was I didn't crack my head...

The flat pack is still spread over the floor & I don't see it being finished anytime soon...

I'm going to have cheese on crackers for tea... I don't trust my luck today to even attempt to cook something...

Paws

[Hanna3]

Gosh Paws are you OK after that fall? It's lucky you didn't break anything!

Did you put the new mattress on the bed and how is it???

I detest flat pack furniture I can never put it together. Years ago I bought a flat pack Ikea wardrobe and I had a boyfriend at the time who had actually worked at Ikea and even he gave up on trying to put it together! I ended up throwing it out!

We'll the local Mp I wrote to has not replied in over a month and the social worker said she would phone me back last Tuesday and it's now Monday night and she still hasn't rung so I'll have to phone tomorrow.

I do wish people would reply when they say they will!

It turned brisk late this afternoon and snow showers are forecast for tomorrow! Sam and I love it!

No word of any change in the lockdown here. What's happening where you are Paws?

I hope you are not too stiff and sore after that fall.

I have my second AZ tomorrow afternoon and I will be relieved to get it!

Hugs 😷🐥🌷🌄💗🎶

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna,

No I haven't put the new mattress on the bed yet... I want to finish putting the flat pack together first...

Like you I dislike people saying they will reply & then not doing it... it is simply unprofessional... ok they might get caught up on the day, but how hard would it be first thing the next day to just shoot off a message apologizing & advising a new timeframe.

That should be such a relief for you getting that second jab... mine is next week. No change to lockdown here until late October at this stage... even though there is no covid near me.

Lots of hail & sleet today... only got to 9deg & tomorrow is expected to be colder... I see the forecast has snow down low in NSW from tomorrow... I hope you don't get the hail & sleet... it really would not be nice to be out in. Just had a thought... does Sam try & catch snow flakes?

Stay warm

Hugs

Paws

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Paws

You have such a way with with words that I can’t help but smile at your misfortune, and I honestly feel awful about that. I do sincerely hope you’re ok! You’ve been so motivated- it’s been wonderful to read that. I hope it sticks with you despite everything. Though I think some rest is well deserved.

How are your plants going? Despite not having time to blink at mine, I managed to go buy a few more (eek!)

Hugs, Katy

[Ggrand]

Hello Paws, and everyone...

I hope your not to sore after falling down...are you okay?..

Wow you did so much work on Saturday....well done..Those flat packs are so hard to put together...haha I can never understand the instructions or put them together properly in a sturdy way...oh and sitting on the floor doing it well done...If I sit on the floor..I can’t get up with something to help me up...even then I have a hard time...old age is catching up to me....

I like the idea of you using your old furniture to use as a seeding station....That will make it easier for you...

Its back to winter weather here today..it’s so cold and strong winds coming in from some spring snow not far from me....I haven’t planted my tomatoes yet..I think I should do so very soon...or I’ll not have them to snack on when I’m outside...

We are still in lockdown here...To be honest..I am not looking forward to the lifting of lockdown....

Take care all you beautiful people..

My kind thoughts..

Grandy..

[demonblaster]

Hey Pawsy 🐾 and other lovelies ☺

Wow loven hearing how industrious you've been.
Reading it amongst happy for you I was concerned about your poor bod to follow ouchems.

I hope for you too, I often reflect on yay at least I got that done or started so easier to finish whenever.
The rest can happen when the body/mind allows it to. I'm finding that way it doesn't stress me as much or not at all.

When we feel ancious or stress on these things it adds to the too hard basket.
When you're up to it hun ☺

Yeah these flat packs I hear and have seen are hard work and high frustration.
I guess keeping at it but only when the minds clearer and not overwhemed would be a good time to tackle them.

It'd be good if they numbered each part in the best order to make them that's if they don't already.

I'm impressed you even got on the floor and yes ditto Grandy love I too need something to help getting back up usually as many experience with pain.

You poor darl you had a rough day alright crikey.
Luck comes and goes, hoping the latter for a stretch now after that.
I can imagine the pain esp the next day.

Loven your wisdom not attempting cooking.
Hoping your bodies settling more now.

Nice having something to look forward to Pawsy. Good thinking putting the unit for the potplants.

Love hearing about big brave woofa.
Hey Darls he Loves his Mum unconditionally I hear esp with doggy furs.
Mind you I'm with ya, he could have shown some sympathy ☺

Hoping you all have some lovely sun at some stage.
If not sometimes if I remember I picture it and how peaceful it makes everything look.
Sometimes it gives a feeling of serenity. Gently draped over everything.

Pawsy I'm so proud of you getting jobbies done it's so hard at times isn't it.

Not sure how you do it with
the mattress.
If you can get your body behind and in the middle to stand it then let part of it flop on the bed opposed to trying to lift it.
Should be more comfy and give you better sleeping and easier on your bod would be a bonus too.

Hope todays a gooden lovelies

🐾🗯🌞⚘👀🍗🤗 and love ⚘

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna, Katy, Grandy, Deebi,

Well after yesterday I spent today in bed... only crawling out to feed Woofa & let him out to puddle... I'm not too sore after my tumble but I think it might be worse in a day or two when I try doing things.

Grandy, Deebi... you are both so right about the difficulties of getting down on the floor these days... I make sure I have a chair or something by me to assist me getting down & up... I think back to younger days when getting on the floor wasn't a major exercise requiring planning or cushions... to quote a wise man - oh dem was da days....

Katy... touch wood all the pot plants I bought recently are still going well... but a couple of my existing ones aren't looking to good... oh well done you buying some more plants, it is such a fun thing to do... what did you get? p.s.. It's ok to chuckle at me... I must have looked very silly as I went down... especially the look of surprise as I started to slip... I shouldn't have been surprised... I've been falling over shadows since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

Thanks for the hugs... sending them right back at you all

Paws

[manpreetrockerji]

doing yoga made me stay well and it is a major part of life now, get yourself some help 

[Paw Prints]

Hello Everyone,

Welcome Manpreetrockerji... always nice to see new folk about... I do have a DVD of Tai Chi for beginners.. it was recommended as being more gentle than yoga... I really need to push myself to do it though...

Well it is 5:30am (daylight savings) & having been up all night I have just finished putting together the flat pack cupboard...finally... yayyyyy!!!! Now I'm thinking of changing the handles on it... grrr...

Yes I'm avoiding bed (which I've been doing for some weeks now) as I've been having constant bad dreams of late... I've been waking up super anxious & feeling unsafe... no idea what has triggered it... I'm telling myself it will pass as it has before...

My oven has stopped working... it is gas but because it is a fan force oven there is an electric component... the fuse for it has tripped & it won't reset... it is less than 5 years old... I'm really hoping it is not a sign that the mice have been eating my wiring... I will just have to do without it for a while until I feel I can cope with having an electrician here.

I would very much like to know who is telling the local wildlife that the inside of my house is a good place to be... the latest interlopers............. snails..... the past week or so if the door is open in they come... or when I open the door to let Woofa out to puddle... there they are... on the back verandah all heading towards the door or clustering on the door sill..... not just a few... dozens plural.... of course my big brave Woofa is unable to step past even one...

Hugs to you all

Paws

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Paws and everyone...

Paws I can relate to you of not wanting to go to bed...I have been sleeping on my lounge again for the past few months because of avoiding my bed and bedroom....

I have placed a pillow and blankets on my lounge and keeping the tv on all night...Eventually I do drop of to sleep...Have you tried sleeping on your lounge with the tv on?..

I think the rain brings the snails..a few of those rocks I had to move had the bottom bit, that was on the dirt full of snails..,reminded me of the rocks at the beach with all those oyster shells stuck on them...ewe not a fan of snails, but I suppose they have been created for something..

I tried Tia Chi when I was in hospital, an instructor came in weekly to give us lessons..I did like it and it does help our sore muscles..but I haven’t done it since being at home...I think I might try to do some....um one day..it’s hard enough to even clean my house..😂😂..

I think the bigger the dogs are, the more gentle and sensitive they are..I think Woofa would say to you..Not scared mummy...just letting you play with them...

I am pleased that you assembled the flat pack..hard aren’t they....Its okay about the handles at least they are fairly straight forward to replace...

I hope your days have been good days for you lovely Paws..

I do not like daylight savings at all...it disrupts any routine I had in place....I know the farmers like it..are they the only ones?.

Live, care and some furry, human hugs precious Paws..

Grandy..