On Impatience


Every day this week, I focused on knitting and finding the perfect position to sit to do it with my back issues.  The experts believe the pain is muscular and not related to a herniate disc.  I am lucky!  Ever so slowly, I've seen progress.  Did you know I am impatient?  I want everything now (or yesterday).  Waiting has never been one of my strengths.  So daily I wake up, tenderly assessing my progress.  My initial reaction is disappointment, but when I flip to listing the positives, I see significant progress.

Last night I did not wake up to a 'back' alarm to take Tylenol.  This is huge!  I feel completely rested.  I have a long way to go and I will be in physical therapy at least a month.  After that, I need to create a ritual of supporting my health on a regular basis.

So when I'm impatient, I stop and reflect.  I assess my progress and celebrate the journey.


I was keeping a bullet journal of sorts for many months with daily repeating tasks that I would color in when I completed them.  I found it fun and motivational when I started.  Last week, I quit the bullet journal technique and switched back to writing lists in the morning.  I was feeling stressed out looking at squares that were not colored in and feeling like I was failing instead of succeeding.

I feel more creative writing my daily list and I like that each day is different instead of the same goals repeating for the week.  Another tweak in my list making is to write how I supported my health through out the day.  This is open ended and flexible.  I like that it's not specific and can be something as simple as taking a walk, eating a salad or resting my back.

another hat!

The deer have been hanging out in the yard and lucky for me they posed for a photo.  Some of them are shy and run, but there are a few that stand still and stare back.  The daring ones are older and are 'friends' coming back to say hello to me.  Frodo would love to catch just one. 



Comments

  1. thecrazysheepladyOctober 20, 2017 at 10:10 AM

    Oh Frodo... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. margeneOctober 20, 2017 at 10:36 AM

    When it comes to feeling well it is easy to be overcome with impatience. I'm the same way. Finding a calendar/journal system is such a personal thing. Lists work for me, too and I like a little calendar to keep on track (I forget which day it is!). Hope your back continues to improve!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. chrisknitsOctober 20, 2017 at 10:53 AM

    Ah, but then, what would he do with it? LOL. I have been dealing with anxiety and rage, of a sorts. Impatience with drivers on the highway and lines. I need to just breathe and slow down! I also think my push to create so much for Christmas might be wearing on me. I hate deadlines and such, so just need to stop and create what I want each day and not sweat it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. StefanieOctober 20, 2017 at 11:26 AM

    I'm glad you're feeling a little bit better and are taking it easy today.

    ReplyDelete
  5. kathy bOctober 20, 2017 at 11:45 AM

    I vary my list making too from time to time. currently a MEAD paper notepad. A daily list. My parents had one each. GOod news on the pain front by you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. VeraOctober 20, 2017 at 12:43 PM

    So glad to hear your pain is getting better/subsiding somewhat. PT can be wonderful. I'm list maker too at times - the best part is crossing off items on the list - lol. have a wonderful weekend. And, of course, my burning question is: What would Frodo do if he actually did catch a deer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mamasmercantileOctober 20, 2017 at 12:54 PM

      I am thrilled to hear that you are slowing down and listening to your body and of course that you are on the mend. Take care of yourself and have a great weekend.

      Delete
  7. Lilly's MomOctober 20, 2017 at 12:53 PM

    Hello, this is Pat and I want to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comment. I'm so sorry you have been dealing with back pain. I know it was be painful, especially when you try to sleep. I love reading about your knitting project. My best to you. Pat

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownOctober 20, 2017 at 5:43 PM

    I am so glad to hear that your back is feeling better.
    Take good care of you, and have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaneOctober 20, 2017 at 8:44 PM

    I love that you include supporting your health on your daily lists. If lists make your happier and less stressed, then that is the way for you. Onward toward a healthy back and comfortable knitting.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousOctober 20, 2017 at 10:06 PM

    I never quite understand bullet journaling. To me it looks like just more busy work.

    List making yes .... but all that drawing and coloring, not so much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. KimOctober 22, 2017 at 4:27 AM

    Fingers crossed that your back continues to heal. I have also found list-making to be beneficial. I enjoy the action of crossing things off throughout the day. It is a kind of ritual, bringing a sense of rhythm into the days. I use some aspects of the bullet journal method but ditched parts of it that wasn't helpful. Creating my own little system that works for me. xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Judy S.October 22, 2017 at 5:47 PM

    Hope your back is feeling much better today! After you finish pt, see if you can find someone good for Pilates. It has helped me immensely. Love that deer photo, but hope they didn't dine on too many of your plants!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Weekends

Image
  Good morning! How are you? How was your weekend? I had a great weekend but I didn't take any great photos. I've been wrapping presents a little bit each day instead of doing it all in one massive long day. This has made a difference in my joy as I wrap. Do you wrap all at once? Or do you do a little bit at a time? Miss Holly has been finding the sun spots and getting her 'tan' going. She is a sweetie. I have no idea what she is watching outside that window. She does that every day. My guess is probably birds or chipmunks but chipmunks should be resting now that it's super cold outside. Sadly I did not take any photos of my knitting, but I have been knitting! I continue to work on my husband's hat and I ripped out a pair of mitts I started (couldn't see the dark yarn with cabling) and started a much simpler pattern instead. Sunday was church then the laundry. I am getting excited for the upcoming holidays. The kids are coming back with the grandchildren and...
Read more