Back in winter, when I was stuck on what to write for a blog, I used a technique I’ve read other bloggers use, a “Taking Stock” approach, using the letters in winter for the individual words (link here). I am once again stuck on what to write for a blog, so here’s another Taking Stock, using the letters in Spring, as we are just about halfway through this season. [With a Taking Stock approach, you are supposed to write a brief response to each word, reflecting that moment in time.]
Shopping: I’ve been shopping metaphysical stores, a couple of new-ones-to-me locally plus a couple on our stop at Cassadaga during our recent road trip. Cassadaga FL is known for having many psychics and mediums and calls itself the “Psychic Capital of the World”. In all this metaphysical shopping, I’ve acquired a new tarot deck, an owl statue (my totem animal), and a candle & crystals for Solar Plexus balancing.
Planning: I am actively planning our visit to Sedona AZ for next month. We are attempting to “resort.” Yes, I am using it as a verb. Hubby and I are usually much more active vacationers and don’t tend to laze around on a vacation, so we rarely stay at resorts. Next month we are trying out a resort. But you’ll notice with the start of this prompt, I am also actively planning what to do, as I’m pretty confident I will fail at the lazing around.
Recovering: The house recovery progresses. We have finally completed the house demo, not without some issues. I am also in recovery for myself. The therapy is definitely helping and I am really trying to do all the things that can help – looking for moments of joy, connecting to nature, journaling my feelings, looking at my small accomplishments, connecting with others. There are good days and not-so-good days.
Inspiring: I was inspired when I read, “dilly-dallying could be the official vibe for 2025”. Isn’t that a great term? It’s about getting outside and just enjoying nothingness. It’s a freeing feeling, putting a stop to everything and just making time to do nothing – aimlessly wandering, relaxing at a park, watching the water flow. Hubby, the other day reiterated to me, “Just slow down.” I heard the Feeling Groovy song, “Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.” Slowing down is not easy for me!
New Experiences: I do enjoy new experiences and track them. The writing down tracking is not to hit any goal number, but rather to review for the remembrance. This spring so far, I’ve added 19 items to my tracking list! Our St Augustine/Charleston Road trip could have been broken down to add even more – as we enjoyed exploring both these new-to-us cities with tours, restaurants, and even transit experiences. Locally, there were 6 new restaurants, 2 new stores (see shopping above!), and 2 new art explorations. There’s a balance between new experiences, old repeated fun experiences, and slowing down to do nothing!
Gratitude: I continue to practice daily gratitude. It’s one of my Putting Positive Psychology into Practice tools (link here) and a big help in my emotional recovery on those not-so-good days. I am blessed with so many supportive people in my life – both IRL and virtually. I am blessed with financial security, a huge help as we work on house recovery. I am thankful that I’ve found a great therapist, that we have a place to stay while we deal with (unfortunately lengthy) house build, and that I have a hubby who understands I’m having a rough time with this catastrophe we’ve endured and tries to help me through it.
There’s my spring moment in time. How’s your spring going?
Picture Credit: Wonderful visit to Art in Bloom at our local Museum of Fine Arts – a repeat experience.
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I love that view of dilly-dallying. My mom used to use that term when we were taking too long doing what she wanted us to do, as in “Stop dilly-dallying.” But now at this stage in life, I so enjoy dilly-dallying in the yard and around the house.
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I accuse my husband of dilly dallying all the time, because it takes him forever to do some things. So, I guess in my terms, it’s a negative. In his case, it’s letting things distract him from the task at hand.
In the positive sense, I’m a great dilly dallyer. When I have the time, it’s great to just do things as you think of them. It’s a relaxing way to get through the day without any pressure.
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I like taking stock. I know that some people have a difficult time not doing things, but I believe you are actually doing something when you say you’re doing nothing. It’s the pause that refreshes [like the old Coke ad told us].
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Ally, I struggle with doing nothing, as I feel like I waste time and that prevents it from feeling refreshing. I know – all in the mind! Going to continue to “try it on”… I actually cancelled two things this past week to just chill!
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Relaxing is also not much in my nature, but dilly-dallying through 2025 sounds like a great idea.🙂 Enjoy your trip to Sedona. Have you been before? Novelty is also a great thing. We also tend to go new places when we travel. I don’t really get people who always go the same place every year. Glad to hear you’ve found a therapist you’re happy with. That can be a challenge in itself.
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Eilene, I was in Sedona in my 20’s and don’t recall much. Hubby has pushed back on too much planning saying I need to relax. So I’m going to load a couple of books on my Kindle and plan for some pool time!
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Dilly-dahlling to me means lolygagging when you should be working. Never wanted my mom to find me dilly-dahlling in the garden. It sounds like you’ve made some good steps froward in the house and your own recovery since the last post.
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Bernie, taking things one day at a time, but it’s starting to feel like more good days (emotionally) than bad, so that’s positive trend!
My mom also used the term lolly-gaggling (that’s how she said it)… “stop your lolly-gaggling and get busy.” Dilly-dalling was new term for me and not the negative connotations of lolly-gallaggling. LOL.
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Processing and working with grief and trauma is so important. There’s no escaping it. It’s also important to realize all the good things in your life such as a good support system and financial security. In these very hard times many people do not have that. I used to work very hard until my body gave up. Don’t wait for that to happen. You are enough!
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Yvonne, :-). Working on believing “I am enough”. Grateful Every Single Day that I have financial security and a great support system. I just wish the processing of the grief and trauma was a little bit faster…. I know, my WOTY was patience for a reason!
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I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no “nothing”. Even when doing “nothing”, one is resting, reflecting, enjoying the scenery, allowing a settling into the bones, etc. So, really, there is no “nothing”. A line from The Color Purple goes something like this – sometimes I sets & thinks & sometimes I just set. Spring is a time of renewal. I wish you well on your recovery journey.
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Ooh, I like this. “Resting & reflecting” might be a new add on my calendar. And I love that quote from The Color Purple. I need to learn how to “just set”!
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Hi Pat – it’s so good to hear a little of your positivity coming back. I feel that you’ve hit a turning point, and you’re moving from the destruction phase of grief and trauma, and onto the planning and transition phase that holds hope and headspace for more than picking up the pieces and dealing with the latest crisis.
I hope the building goes smoothly and you enjoy your resorting as a break in your routine and responsibilities. x
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Leanne, It’s been hard to see the turning point myself, but you’re not the first to point it out! Part of me keeps waiting for the next meltdown and part of me is hopeful that the positive trend will continue. Still so much to do, and such a slow process. Just continuing to use all my positivity tools and focusing on one day at a time.
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