"Living Under the Threat" Gratitude List 7/28/20

Today I am grateful for (not in order of importance, just thinking and typing):

Fresh strawberries

Grocery delivery

Getting lost in a book

Much-needed, cooling rain

Still having a job

An in-person (outdoor, mask-wearing, socially-distanced) visit with a co-worker

Seeing some of my family on video chat

Motivation

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - A Better Schedule

Nearly four months into the pandemic, and I'm finally getting on a better schedule.

Not perfect, but better.

I'm procrastinating less.

I'm not waiting until 9 pm or later to eat dinner.

I'm not finishing my exercises close to midnight.

I'm figuring things out.

Last night I ate dinner around 6:30 and I had my exercises finished before 8 - except my arm ones. I still did those late.

Every day this week so far I have walked in the morning, before work.

That has helped tremendously.

Because of the heat, if I don't walk in the morning, I have to wait until 8 or 8:30 at night.

Today I have been very tired.

I only did a short walk.

But it was still a walk.

I've been listening to an audio book on my walks, which has been nice.

Something to concentrate on, to help me not focus on my achy legs and fear of falling.

I've also been remembering to take my medicines earlier.

Eating and taking my medicines late have resulted in some rough nights of heartburn.

Not good at all.

Had to fix that.

So now I have more time to relax in the evenings.

Watch shows.

Read.

I'm still staying up too late, but not as late.

And it's not because I'm procrastinating.

So I'm happy about that.

If something isn't working, fix it.

Make your life better.

Find that balance.

It's 7:25.

Time to do those exercises.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - Today Will Be Perfect

Today will be the perfect day.

Or as perfect as possible.

I will be productive with work.

I have several meetings and webinars scheduled, so I think productivity will be a given.

I will not procrastinate with my exercising.

So far so good on this one.

I already got my walk in.

I will drink a lot of water.

My first 8 ounces is on the table near me.

I won't go to bed at midnight.

Fingers crossed.

I will have time for something enjoyable too - a show or two, some reading.

I already listened to my audio book on my walk.

Yay me!

I will be happy today.

I won't worry.

I'll concentrate on what is good in my life.

I'll be grateful.

I'll live in the moment.

And it will be a fantastic day.

Even during a pandemic.

librarianintx

"Living Under the Threat" - My Favorite Day of the Week

Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week.

Not because it's hump day.

I do enjoy the camel commercials.

Wednesday is my favorite day because it's grocery delivery day.

I start holding my breath on Sundays.

Will we be able to get a delivery?

Will the store be out of important items?

Will the store have to institute restrictions because people are hoarding again?

Both my roommate and I have dietary requirements.

So I breathe a sigh of relief when the friendly and helpful delivery people deposit the grocery bags at our door. 

I am so happy when I don't receive a text that the store has run out of something important.

I feel so grateful when I know we are stocked for another week.

And I try not to automatically start worrying about the next week.

librarianintx

Not Listening to the Little Voice

Sometimes I get to the end of the day, and I haven't reached my step goal.

The little voice in my head says, "It's okay. You can miss your goal today. You'll probably achieve it tomorrow."

But I don't listen.

I get out the pedal exerciser.

Or I walk in place.

Or I make multiple trips from one room to another.

So I can reach my goal.

There are many mornings when I don't want to do my bridge exercises.

They're not easy.

They are the first exercise that I do.

Usually I'm half asleep.

"You could do them before you go to bed," the little voice says.

"Or just skip them. Just for today," she pushes.

But I don't listen.

I do the bridges.

I'm often so tired at night.

The last thing I do before I brush my teeth is take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil.

It's a new health-related activity.

It's one of my least favorite things to do in a day.

I do not like the taste.

But I believe it is good for me.

I can't swallow the huge fish oil pills.

"It's gross," the little voice says.

"You know you don't like it."

"Just don't do it today."

But I don't listen.

I take the supplement.

My little voice is terrible.

She works against me.

She tells me not to do the things that are good for me.

She encourages me to avoid and procrastinate and delay.

She also tells me that I'm going to fail in my goals.

It is a daily struggle to ignore her.

Maybe one day she will shut the hell up.

librarianintx