Some days, I feel strong and capable; other days I’m overwhelmed, feeling drained and full of self-doubt. I want an unwavering belief that I can navigate whatever life presents, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Part of me believes I can handle the unknown, and things will turn out okay. But another (bigger) part … Continue reading Self-doubt Exploration
Author: patwdoyle11
Return to Normal?
These last few weeks have continued my up and down emotional recovery. I’ve struggled with reactivating some of my normal activities, including writing a blog. No, I’m not going to fall back on another Taking Stock (see Spring one link here), but I am going to attempt one heavy on pictures. I do not claim … Continue reading Return to Normal?
Taking Stock this Spring
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, … Continue reading Taking Stock this Spring
Mental Health Recovery
I read an article a couple of weeks ago about “signs your mental health is suffering” which laid out some clear, every day types of signs (versus vague “anxiety" or "hopelessness” references). And it is apparent mine is suffering as I can check the boxes on a number of the signs: Life just feels heavy. There’s … Continue reading Mental Health Recovery
Where Was I?
One of the positives about writing a blog is the ability to look back to see what was going on in my life at various times. I can look back and see how I was dealing with the early days of my own retirement transition (many years ago now! – here’s a link to my … Continue reading Where Was I?
Overwhelmed and Scattered
The two words that surface too often in my morning journal these days are overwhelmed and scattered. They are not feelings I am used to in retirement, where our lifestyle had settled into more routine (and fun) activities. Yes there were challenges in dealing with life transitions, but not the feeling of the overwhelm and … Continue reading Overwhelmed and Scattered
Winter Taking Stock
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 … Continue reading Winter Taking Stock
More Thinking on Thinking
I’m a thinker. Okay, I’m an over thinker. It’s the contemplative part of my retirement lifestyle vision statement. [And yes, even in the craziness that I’m living through right now, this retirement lifestyle vision statement still feels right. And it feels good to be re-engaging in it.] Active Body, Connected Heart, Creative Spirit, Contemplative Mind. … Continue reading More Thinking on Thinking
Increase Daily Glimmers
I’ve had a number of challenging days lately and needed to relook at how to the pull myself out of a downward spiral. To stop the negativity when something is still small, before it spins into a full-blown, Very-Bad-Day. I recognize that our nervous systems are wired to pay more attention to negative events than … Continue reading Increase Daily Glimmers
Hurricane Recovery – Month Four
Retirement often does not go as originally planned. There can be surprise health issues with the mindset and lifestyle changes that result from that significant life impact. There are choices to make changes in your retirement plan when things don’t play out as you had hoped, like our Big Move to Florida when the snowbird … Continue reading Hurricane Recovery – Month Four









