Tim’s now been off work for four weeks. And I’ve become a complete bum.
It’s all my doing; I can’t blame it on his being home, as much as I’d like to. Actually, it was beginning even before that. But it seems to be getting worse.
Bad habits
I’m going to bed and getting up too late. It’s completely thrown me off. Today, I was lucky to get my shower done before the OSU game started at 11:00. I have nothing to show for the day so far unless you count making the bed and playing games on my iPad.
I was finally getting back into walking on the treadmill every morning but I haven’t done that for a week. We’ve had too much candy around and for some reason, I can’t seem to resist it. Can you resist Reese’s Peanut Butter cups? Or Lindt truffles? I can’t make myself get on the scale right now.
I know I’ve talked before about needing a lazy day, but not a lazy month (or longer)!!
What’s suffering?
Don’t get me wrong. I have been doing the “have tos”. Laundry is getting done. Dishes are done. I’ve been cooking (some) and baking (a little). We even hosted Thanksgiving with Tim’s kids and prepared a complete meal. (It’s sure a good thing we have someone cleaning our house now.)
I almost think it’s a mental thing and I’m actually getting things done but it simply doesn’t feel like it. Everything just feels kind of “off”. Like when I wrote “Off My Routine“. Is there a pattern here?
What’s suffering is my blogging – both writing and reading. I’m not happy about it but it seems I can’t find a time to do those things. I’m not even sure it’s about time but motivation. Why can’t I get motivated? I am hoping writing today will get me back in the habit, even if I’m writing about essentially nothing and it may be shorter than most of my posts.
I do have some yummy pie recipes to share so watch for those soon.
I’m so close to making my reading challenge goal but I’m not reading at all during the day. I’m reading more during the night when I can’t get to sleep.
Also suffering are my projects. I’ve put my sewing machine away for the season, which is pretty typical. But before that, I struggled to finish up what I needed for Christmas. What hasn’t suffered is my interest in adding new patterns to my stash. That just puts me even further behind!!
I haven’t finished my poncho – remember the knitting stitch-along? I’ve reached my two least favorite stages – finishing and weaving in the ends. Yuck!! I don’t like having to pick up a certain number of stitches along the side especially when I need 270.
I ended up with 252 stitches which I decided was good enough since I just needed to have multiples of 18. I did this a few weeks ago and finally picked it up again yesterday during the Iowa football game.
I spent most of the time pulling out stitches and restitching because my markers seemed to be moving and I was getting all mixed up with the pattern. I finally gave up and it’s still laying on the floor by my chair. Maybe I’ll pick it up again later today. We’ll see.
Getting back on track
Tomorrow is December 1. I vow to change my ways. There’s too much to accomplish and enjoy in December for me to continue being a bum. You’d think being a bum would make me feel less stressed but it’s starting to have the opposite effect.
Fortunately, we are 95% finished with our Christmas shopping. And about 95% of that has been online. The rest requires a trip to the mall, but it will be quick and easy.
I want to do more holiday baking than I did last year even though we shouldn’t eat it. Maybe I’ll share with my friends? I need to decorate upstairs for Christmas. Tim has already finished things downstairs.
Most of all, I want to get back in the blogging habit. I miss my writing time. I have several drafts just waiting to be finished. And there are those recipes I need to share. I don’t usually write while watching football in the recliner but that’s what I’m doing today. Whatever works.
Plus, it keeps me from that frustrating knitting sitting on the floor!!
I found your site while searching for a Disney peanut butter cookie recipe and saw “I’ve become a bum.” I begged my employer to cut my hours after 17 years of commuting 40-60 minutes one way. Victory was mine! Oh the things I planned to accomplish. One year later: I’ve become a bum! I too plan to get back on track. I’m literally ashamed of myself, so thank you for sharing so I know I am not the only one!!
I wonder if we’re too hard on ourselves. After years of working hard, don’t we deserve some bum time? I’m ready to get back on track in 2020. It will be a better year!! Good luck. So glad you found my site!!
Hi Linda! I just discovered your website and am interested in your insight. I just retired and am reading that the healthiest retirees are those that are engaged in social activities. I worked in jobs that required me to engage in a lot of extroverted behavior like sales and recruiting. Now that I’m retired I am so happy to not engage in social activities. My life before was exhausting. In your opinion does a healthy introverted retiree have to take group classes and volunteer? Thanks for your opinion!
Pat, I’m so glad you discovered my site!! In my opinion, I think you should do what you are comfortable with and not worry about what others think or say. I spent so much of my life thinking there was something wrong with me because I prefer to be home doing my own thing. Don’t misunderstand. I have very good friends and I like to do things outside my home. But I’m always ready to get back to my sanctuary. Let me know if there are any specific topics you’d like me to blog about. I welcome all ideas!!
I’ve had the same kind of laggard feeling myself since early November. I’ve started and stopped the same new book twice, and ditto for two clean-up projects I need to do with paperwork. In my case I’ve decided to just let everything ride through the month of December if I have to. There’s something about January and the new year that always seems to motivate me. Good luck on your own set of motivations!
Thanks, Marty. I’m beginning to feel my current lack of motivation isn’t so unusual. I think I will follow your lead and let myself off the hook for December. I have a feeling things will pick up in January. I hope so anyway!!
At this time of year I always bring out my S.A.D. light. A few minutes a day while I do a bit work does really help. Up here in Canada it does tend to get darker longer and earlier.
Maybe the gloomy days are part of the problem. I always look forward to December 21 (or whatever it is this year) because I know the daylight hours will start increasing again. Just knowing that seems to help. Our nights are long enough here in Iowa. I’m sure yours are much worse.
I hear you Linda. I love each season of the year but tend to mentally struggle with the coldest months. Although the holidays usually bring out my interest in decorating the house and moving knick knacks around to different locations to “refresh” the place, this winter I’m just not as motivated. Could be more than one reason for it. I guess it’s ok to do less as long as it doesn’t become a distinct pattern in my daily life. As I get closer to retirement I am finding a renewed interest in repurposing furniture and doing some simple crafts. Today is normally the day I’m excited to put up the tree but I’m just not really as excited to do so this year. I have always noticed that the 3 Linda’s in my life tend to be 10x more motivated than me so thankful to have friends like you in my life to motivate me (even if there’s a downturn in that for you at this particular time). Bottom line: It’s OK to take a break from life’s busyness even if the pace is self imposed!! Let’s both grab a cup of hot tea and watch the flurries/snow fall, just for today!
Good to know it happens to you too. I guess we all go through periods of time when we’re just not motivated. Tim and I finished our Christmas shopping today so no stress there. I was sure glad to get home though. That cup of tea sounds wonderful. Think I’ll have one and sit a while before I get back to my decorating. Thanks Val.
I have the same feeling since leaving work 3 months ago. I had the best intentions of getting so many things done since I have so much time on my hands. We all deserve a break after working so many years to finally enjoy ourselves as I too love to go to bed and get up late too. I do have a big smile on my face as I sit watching anything on tv and know I have nothing planned for the next few days. What a joy!
You are so right. I need to let myself enjoy the fact there’s very little I HAVE to do. That’s retirement after all!! I can tend to be a little routine oriented which I sometimes let limit what I do and when I do it. It’s time to go with the flow for the holidays. 🎄🎄
I’ve been a bit of a bum, too, and it’s not all bad … but yes, this, too, shall pass. At least I hate football, so I’ve got that going for me. I’ve been known to watch golf for so long the TV asks if I’m still there.
I get that too sometimes especially if I’m watching tennis. We watched one football game and three basketball games yesterday. I’m making a big dent in my recliner!! 🤣