Although I don't have a lot of physical things to point too that I've accomplished, I do give myself credit for accomplishing more of the unseen stuff. I've really enjoyed the Kondo Marie process of going through my belongings and really taking stock of what I own and why. It's helped provide structure for me to address psychological attachments and thinking. It's easy to fall back into the old way of thinking and all but I do think I'm making progress. My latest aha moment was the memories. The last section of the house to tackle are your mementos and I have those in spades. Actually ten boxes full of old birthday cards and playbills and who knows what else. Stuff to remember events by. I was thinking I'd turn it all into well curated books - my memoir, detailing every event of my life that I could. Sounds overwhelming, doesn't it? And for what purpose, not to forget? That was my aha moment, just like when I went through my clothes at the very beginning, I really only want to wear what looks good on me and makes me feel good. Same with memories. I mean a t-shirt might be comfy and I've had it for years, but if it's seen better days and I only wear it out of habit, why have it? Why not wear a nicer shirt? Same with memories, I really only need to keep the ones that I want and that I feel good about, that spark joy. By keeping everything, I loose the good stuff in the mix.
The other thing I've found self-improvement on is my physical health. I'm so happy I stumbled upon orienteering this spring. I really love it - being out in nature, the Easter egg hunt for the markers, the puzzle solving, and a little bit of competitiveness. I want to take up trying to run again, but this time, not because I feel like I should, but because I want to get faster for orienteering. That's the best way to stay successful.
And the Whole30 has been really eye opening. I wish I could write out a whole laundry list of what foods make me feel like what. But no such luck. I've had social stuff, where I don't want to be that person who can't eat anything, so I eat socially. And I've tried reintroducing foods back in, but have trouble figuring out cause and effect. What I have found is that the old waffle/pancakes/toast breakfast I used to live on makes me super tired. I was driving for an appointment after breakfast yesterday and about half an hour in I was so tired. I think I've found I can have gluten/carb breakfast once and I'm ok, but several days in a row and I get hit with the sleepiness. I can tell my tummy is digesting foods differently these days. At home, on my own, I usually will eat only meat and vegetables for each meal because I just feel better. And if I have guests or are eating out, I'll add grains and legumes. I've yet for really introduce dairy yet. I wanted to try to reset the system again and the reintroduce it, but need a chunk of time with no social food eating times. Also, I'm finding the uber hot and humid days kind of kill all results - it knocks me out. So hard to tell what the food is doing. The one thing I've been really diligent about is sugar. I've really opened my eyes to sugar and have posted on this before. I've really only had dessert once. My uncle fred made some desserts for the fourth. I didn't want to be rude and felt like it was a special occasion. He had made three, and I found that I couldn't eat the third - a parfait, because I was just too full and had too much sugar. Old me would have still tucked it away but new me put I back in the fride for someone else to enjoy.
I'm not going to not eat sweets but now I'm just waiting to indulge for something that is really good and nothing put in front of me has been in that upper level. It is so nice to have my sugar cravings fade into the background. I think they'll always be there. I'll still get an occasional wish of eating something sweet - and want to run to the store and pick up one of my standbys like Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. But they are so bad for you and I ask myself why. Often it's because it's close to meal time and I'm just hungry. Or I didn't eat enough for my meal. I feel much more aware of what I'm eating which is strange because I would have said I was aware of what I was eating months ago. Anyways, I love that I have a much better handle on my energy level and I love that I put my growing belly in check. I hate to be one of those people that is body conscious, partly from media standards, but now I'm glad that I was a bit. I feel like I'm eating much healthier as a result and have a lighter step. I've still got a bit of a belly, not flat like it was in my twenties, but that's just it - it's the right belly for my age.
The one thing I've not learned yet is how to bear the hot humidity. I think I'm only writing this post because today is the one day we get a break from the weather. A nice day where I can do tons. Actually I should cook a bunch of food. It's hard to bake beats when it's 90 and humid.
And the last thing to report is that my Wallis got a clean bill of health yesterday. We had her final check up. The X-rays (they don't call them that anymore, I think it's referred to as radiographs), showed she was healed perfectly. So she can now be off restricted movement. Frankly I had pretty much let her run and jump awhile back. But now, I can remove all the boxes I set up as steps to the couch, bed, etc. She was so good on the drive too. She even took a nap out to the vet (it's about an hour drive and well worth it, not only were they cheaper, but so much nicer). I'm so happy she's back to her full self. And her fur is almost grown back too.
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