They can be positive or negative.
The biggest adjustment to both my new life and my health challenges is the lack of energy. I've always been a high energy person, whether internally or externally. Reading voraciously, loving live theatre, concert halls, performances. Hiking, travelling, racing,spontaneous walks, etc.
Now the lack of energy has me parceling out activities or performing trade-offs. If I shop today I can't run around later to visit so-and-so. If I write today I'll be wiped in the afternoon. Or working out a new design means I can't start the new book.
I was completely frustrated and hopeless for a while until I took the time to redesign my new space and go against the grain of popular opinion and have the old long dining room table moved from the house to the apartment. This simple task has opened up my new life in ways I couldn't have predicted. I find this new multi-use space invites flowers. And a candle and lamps for close work. I've never been much of a couch person. I like a table, the bigger the better. I sit here a lot, read, have my meals looking out at the view, everything is close at hand. Instead of making the space smaller it has opened it up.
Thinking outside the box when re configuring a downsized life is very helpful. I've observed a few apartments here and see that they are crammed with relics of the past. Huge china cabinets, tea trolleys, overstuffed furniture, massive bedroom suites. If that is what gives one comfort then go for it. But I like the reinvention of who I am now. Yes, I have to safeguard my energy and calculate the expenditure of it during the day.
In the common hall outside I hung some of my artwork and a little sculpture I made with knitting wool and needles and a few owls, one is a small vase filled with fresh flowers that I hope to replenish every few weeks. A bunch of flowers purchased late on a Saturday night costs under $5.00 (full price $10.99) who knew?
Some of you thought I was upset about leaving the salt box house in its wee paradise of land and ocean and woods. I tried to summon up some feelings when the fellahs were taking apart the dining room table prior to moving it. I stood in that dining room, summoning up all the dinner parties and brunches and convos held around it.
And you know what? There wasn't one shred of sentiment in me.
I was done.
Well, then it is time to focus on the new and where you are now...Is there anything to be done for the lack of energy?
ReplyDeleteNot really E. It's the bodily limitations. I have to respect them.butbi accomplished a lot today. I was amazed at myself.
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For reasons I find myself avoiding, every time I drive over to Seattle (every few months, holidays, appts, etc) I bring various things: paintings, wall hangings, photos, etc. My place is getting damn near Japanese in it's sparseness.
ReplyDeleteHope you're well.
There's lot be said for ur Mike. I find myself evaluating each picture and saying goodbye sometimes. I'm keeping the walls simple.
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I experienced a similar problem with lack of energy. My dr put me on a course of B-12 injections: Weekly for 4 weeks, now monthly. It’s made a noticeable difference. Perhaps you could try this?
ReplyDeleteMy mind is willing but my flesh fails. I do take many vitamins including the Bs. Today was excellent. I was amazed at myself!
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Your table is wonderful. I'm assuming you have an alternate route into and out of your kitchen? Or do you crawl under it each time? 8-) I like how you have different spots on the table to do different things.
ReplyDeleteOh lol DKZ on the crawling. There's an entrance to the kitchen by the front door.im thrilled with the new layout.
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I love your table, and think you made a wise decision. Your home needs to serve your needs and make you happy and comfortable. Is that a blue willow vase? As far as the lack of energy goes, I don't want to be a nag, but I work with patients with complex medical needs and you have enough on your plate without feeling like a deflated balloon. If you haven't had your thyroid levels checked recently please consider doing that, and taking B-12 by mouth is a good strategy for most people, it will not address the B-12 deficiency which develops in many older people because of a decrease in the amount of intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein secreted by the stomach that enables the body to absorb vitamin B12. This may require a special test to catch, called a Schilling test. B-12 deficiency can make you forgetful, breathless, cause balance problems, cause a raw mouth and sore tongue, and just profoundly tired. I just looked in the mirror. Maybe I'll go get checked.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Calgary,
Deb
Thanks for the advice Deb I will pursue this with my doctor.
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After a few months in your new home, perhaps energy levels will rise somewhat, once your new life style and new environment comfortably embed themselves into your state of mind and body. You sound as thought you're going to reach that point rather quickly!
ReplyDeleteLovely table, WWW! We find that our dining table serves us well as a giant "pending" tray. A bad habit that needs to be curbed and cured periodically, but always returns. :)
LOl I laughed at this, yes it is a massive in-tray but marvellous for working on. I framed a picture for a friend this morning and thought I could never have done this without the table.
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Aww jeez cut yourself some slack woman look at all you've been through last few months...plus stress over your house/retirement problems!!! Of course your energy is down, give your body/mind/spirit some time and the old zoom zoom will return if not a full tank at least not near empty...ain't time a great healer...yuppers:) Be.joy.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, you are your online friend, my table like yours I imagine just like you. Doctor appt this mornng
ReplyDeleteand will share later. Much to be thankful for but seems
arthritis continuing, using cane and walker all the time
and who knows when the wheel chair. So really learned nothing new from my visit, just escalating faster then I thought. All is well with the mind and decisions to be made. But so lucky there were 79 perfect years.
Yes, these are the bonus years, denied to so many Ernestine. I do hope you get to some resolution both of your living situation and your ongoing health concerns. I think about you a lot.
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I love the configuration of your table; what a great idea and so nice to be able to keep it in your new home. If you're anything like me there are usually three or four projects going on on different parts of it!
ReplyDeleteExactly Anne and I love to have this big space to plot on :)
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Just this morning I thought "damn, why did I sell my harvest table when I moved here". I love tables! yours looks great.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it is possible for you but I find the more exercise I get the more energy I have. I walk from the front door to the front window of my apartment most days for 6000 Fitbit steps or 2 1/2 miles. If your legs won't cooperate the fitbit responds and counts armwaves too - the goal is to get the heart working hard. Just a thought.
Pardon this reader butting in: Betty how long is your apartment? I can't visualize this.
DeleteMy apartment is 1300 sq feet - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, den and living room/studio - NOT 6000 steps from the front door to the front window! I should have said "25 steps to the front window and 25 steps back" - lots of times!!
DeleteThat makes more sense. LOL. I was trying to figure out how to do this, since my apt is 35 steps end to end. Where there's a will there's a way eh?
DeleteWanna race?
I get bored easily Betty and circling the block drives me insane. Though others in my building do it religiously all the time. I need a kick in keister. Seriously. Good on ya for persisting and doing.
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It's good that you're finding it so easy to move on and aren't torn up about leaving the old house. I also thought you'd find it traumatic. You're obviously enjoying reconfiguring your life.
ReplyDeleteLoving the apartment which far from feeling small feels quite large. A surprise. It is also quiet and non-intrusive. Ill be at a free community turkey dinner for all residents on Wednesday night so I'm curious as to how we all look, LOL
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I am not at all surprised that you were done.
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd get it Ramana. I was pretty worn out after the stressful couple of years.
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Lovely table. Good you kept it. Low energy is a bitch, but interesting suggestions from commenters. I have nothing to add to that though.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be other issues which I haven't been writing about but a hospital visit this week may enlighten me.
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Such a beautiful table WWW. I too have tables as my prominent decor (hahaha) .... decor... . None of my quite as beautiful. As I recall a table was always the predominent feature of old time kitchens, circa 1940 Prairie, anad I guess Nfld too. Children colouring, adults playing cards, everyday dinner and party time, taxes and cutting out a dress pattern. I'm long since beyond anything that is for looks alone, but how great you have this great workhorse that is also so beautiful.
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