Winter is almost over here, although this week it’s still a bit chilly for Florida. Nothing like the Arctic Blast much of the USA is facing, but cool enough in the morning that makes the emergency heat kick in and us scrambling to find coats and gloves for a morning walk. I saw a fun Winter Taking Stock post by my blogging buddy Christie (link here) who referenced Deb’s (another blogging buddy) approach as well (link here). I decided to replicate the approach as I was struggling with a blog topic!
Taking Stock posts are quick reactions to a series of words to reflect what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, and how you’re feeling. Christie used the letters in WINTER, and so will I. The idea is to write out the first thing that comes to mind for each word/letter:
Wanting – That the therapy I started continues to help ease the feeling of overwhelm, the (yes, I am acknowledging it) depression, and my tendency for over-reaction. It’s an approach (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) specific for trauma recovery.
Interested In – I’m stumped! With the need to juggle house recovery and now tax season, I’ve not been able to go rabbit-hole researching into any topic of interest. I will need to review my salt-tolerant plant information (link here to that rabbit hole research!) as I’m talking about it at one of my garden club meetings in March.
Needing – To continue pushing through on the house recovery, recognizing that what I can control is small. I need some sense of doing, even if it’s just follow-up emails asking, “status, please”! Maybe this week we will have some forward momentum?
Tasting – New restaurant exploration (a favorite thing for me) had us visiting a local BBQ place which was really yummy. We will need to go back again to try other things on the menu. I actually visited 7 new-to-me restaurants this month, two which were on my to-try list for ages. It’s been wonderful to get back to doing something I love.
Excited about – Continuing to re-engage in life while still juggling all the house recovery stuff (link here on house recovery juggle). I’m excited that I’ve got multiple “live life” moments planned on my calendar this week, from staffing a garden club plant sale to new moon tarot reflection time to a dinner with friends (to say good-bye as they move away – so sadness there). Last week’s live-life moments included a date afternoon with hubby (picture in header is an amazing art glass piece at the Imagine Museum), getting back to cardio drumming, and a lively book club discussion.
Reading – A book series by Emily Kimelman. I read about her on social media and had an urge to support her with buying the first set of her mystery series. It’s lighter reading as the protagonist usually triumphs, although it is a bit violent. I’ll see how the series progresses and if I continue to like the lead character before recommending it.
While it is always a debate on when winter is over, by March 1 we will be fully into spring weather here. This next week I will be creating a spring action plan. It’s been a few years since I did a seasonal plan, but I need some focus on the balance (and not overwhelm) of getting back to living life and keeping track of all the house recovery items.
How do you like the “Taking Stock” tidbits of life idea?
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Hello Pat. I do like the taking stock format to share tidbits of life. Thanks for the shout out. I love your reference to “live life” moments. When we’ve been through a trauma and are dealing with the aftermath, it’s so important to make room to just live. Good luck to you with all the house recovery and with the therapy. Who wouldn’t be overwhelmed and depressed with everything you’ve been through? I’m glad you are getting help addressing it.
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The overwhelm is so real and it’s scary to think it’s been almost 6 months of it. And it’s not just me, but so many others here in our town. Yes, I continue to try and live-life…and blogging took a back seat this past couple of weeks between life and recovery. I’m wondering if I need to take a break, but then I read folks comments and they uplift me. They remind me to just live. They support me in knowing the overwhelm is “normal”. Such a conundrum.
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Taking stock tidbits is a great way to write a blog post. Will you make it a feature here?
I’m happy to read that you’re getting out and doing some social activities that bring you joy and I’d guess a respite from the house recovery project. While the weather may change to spring on March 1st, I do. It’s my official time to reset myself and shake off winter ennui. Sounds like you do the same.
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Ally, I’m not sure if the Taking Stock will be a feature, but it’s a great fall back when I’m struggling to write something. I always enjoy how you take something that many of us would simply walk right past and turn it into a compelling blog read. I’m not sure I have that skill, so when I get tired of the woe is me (yeah, back to that a bit this week), I’ll need something!
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I am making the rounds reading everyone’s Taking Stock posts and enjoying them very much. I need to put a post together so maybe I will try it, too. Like the idea of writing what comes to mind first without a whole lot of thought.
First, that piece of glass art is amazing. I thought it was so kind of crazy blue geode. What a fabulous blue in contrast to the outer sandy-rocky color and texture of the exterior. Just wow.
I am glad you are going to therapy and that you are experiencing some relief to the sense of overwhelm that has been your new normal for six months now. Going down the research rabbit hole will be a fun, familiar distraction. Hope you enjoy preparing the for the garden presentation.
Yay for visiting so many new restaurants. We have to break out of our habit of going to the same old places. But everything is so expensive!! Have been wanting to visit a new breakfast cafe. Hope to make that happen soon.
I need to write an update for my winter goals and bucket list and then share my spring plans but will wait til the official first day of the season for that. Looking forward to more good reports from you.
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And I’m back to the overwhelm… it’s a crazy up and down road these past days. But, as I take a step back, there was still a new restaurant this past week (old friends in town) and a book club today. So a good reminder that there is familiar.
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It seems that your taking stock is revealing some great inroads to normalcy and joy in your life—trying new restaurants, book clubs, garden plans, etc.
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Thanks for pointing that out Eilene. I do have inroads into normalcy, even when I’m dealing with the craziness of things. I’ve been remiss on the blog because of the house craziness, but yes, there were still book clubs and new restaurants this past week!
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Hi Pat, I liked your taking stock post and it was exciting to read that Match 1st will bring you right into spring mode…. and best wishes with the house recovery and the trauma therapy…. it sounds like you know that it takes time to heal and that it is the sum of many parts – like therapy…. blogging…. and trying seven new eateries. oh baby.
Also, loved that image – it is what brought me in from the reader, the art glass piece from the Imagine Museum also fit the theme of your post – this idea of a vibrant life that is getting things done – and pacing things as well
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Hi Pat! I love that you seem to be finding ways back to some joy! Sliding down that slippery slope of “woe is me” is so easy especially in your current situation. I’d admire your ability to keep pushing through and finding ways to put moments of glitter and joy in your life.
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Candyse, finally getting back onto my blog…. and goodness this weeks post is back to a bit of woe is me. Oh dear. But, I do keep trying to find the ways for glitter and joy.
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Hi Pat – we’re in the middle of embarking on a bathroom remodelling – completely gutting it down to the studs and then putting it all back together again. We chose to use an all-in-one company to save all the juggling of trades…..but it’s still sooo stressful – the lack of updates drives me nuts! I keep thinking of you and how the stress would be 100X bigger – along with it being forced upon you, rather than a choice. I hope your plans start coming together and you see some action and progress soon, and in the meantime keep doing those “live life” activities because it’s good to see them bringing you joy. x
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Leanne, I’m with a general contractor but he will add his % on top, so gives me things to do to avoid that extra cost. So a bunch of juggling. How exciting to get a new bathroom. Are you upgrading things? Getting a jet or soaking tub? Are you looking forward to picking out tile and fixtures or will that feel stressful? I’m not sure if that stage will be fun or stressful – we have whole house of things to pick out!
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Hi Pat, it’s great to see you using this format. I always enjoy the tidbits of life that these posts share. It’s the insights into the lives of others without full on sharing mode. I hope you’ve enjoyed the process too. You have so much going on in your life with the recovery but it’s good to see you getting out and about doing some of the things you love again. Take care.
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Deb, I quite liked the format and believe I’ll use it again. I particularly liked the shorter WINTER versus the 26 A to Z!
I’ve been remiss in blogging – reading, commenting, writing. Yes, lots going on and I’m not sure who really wants to hear about the slog of it all! Will see as I’m going to post again tonight.
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