WELLNESS

My New Year goal for this year is WELLNESS.  Long ago I stopped making resolutions that were precise and specific; they pretty much set me up for failure.  General targets leave lots of room for varying degrees of success and those successes keep me inspired and motivated for future goals.

Transitioning from the holidays to this New Year has not been quite as smooth as I would have liked.  Don’t know what I did or when I did it, but somehow I stressed both my feet/ankles and both my hands/thumbs.  This has caused a pretty significant flare of arthritis pain and tendonitis and has delayed me doing all I intended.  

I got myself checked out medically, nothing dire, more or less further conditions of aging.  I been going to PT and OT and have been fitted with hand and feet braces.  I’m now well on the mend, finally.  I will probably sport some sort hand supports full time, am thinking to quilt or embroider covers so that they can match my outfits!!!  The ones for my feet/ankles will be for exercising only.

In part, because of this it has taken me this whole month of January to put all that I identified as steps to WELLNESS into place.  But I’ve done it!  And I made it before the month ended! Just!

For me, WELLNESS includes the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual, along with the physical.  So, I have an assortment of activities geared to all of these.  Here they are in no other order than how they show up on my calendar

• I have joined Weight Watchers, where I had had success in the past.  I don’t have a specific weight goal, rather I want to lose enough weight to get out of plus sizes and get out of my own way.  It is a realistic goal that I know I can achieve by year end.  I also this will give some relief to my feet and stop my blood pressure from creeping up.

• I have joined a gym.  This is not the first time, but I feel that this is going to be unlike so many other times.  I will pay my weekly fee AND actually use the facility, been there 3 times already!  I am starting off gently as my hands and feet recover with 3x a week gentle water classes in the warm water (ahhh) pool.  As the body parts get better I will add a mix of over-50 stretching/balance/yoga.

• I have joined the book group at my library.  I have been reading the selections for quite a few months, but now have arranged my schedule so that I can also attend the monthly meetings.  It is nice to gather with others and share impressions and opinions about something we have all read.  As all these activities settle I may look for another book group, I love reading and enjoy discussing what I have read.

• I am attending my churches weekly Bible Study group.  I avoided this and, frankly, dismissed it for a long time.  When I lived and worked in Boston I belonged to a Scripture Prayer group based at the Paulist Center.  My rather superior and disapproving comment to myself was, I don’t want to just “study” Scripture, I want to pray it!  Not having a strong background in either the Old or New Testament (I was raised Catholic, after all) I think this was more my way to deflect the intimidation I felt for those who are well versed in scripture.  Well, surprise, surprise (she says, tongue in cheek) I really enjoy these weekly sessions.  And having the insights these discussion bring makes the Sunday reading so much more meaningful.

• I have joined 2 quilt guilds that I have been following on the Internet for a number of years.  Gathering with other quilters and seeing their work has really inspired and motivated me.  I began a baby quilt, who knows how many years ago; I suspect the intended child may now be in college!  Well, after a few more hours today it will be done.  And then I am onto another incomplete project.  I have committed to finishing at least four “in progress” projects before starting a new one or buying on single fat quarter!

• I volunteered to mentor a participant in a financial literacy program.  This is run by the non-profit, “Budget Buddies”.  I am so looking forward to being helpful and useful.

In addition to these regularly scheduled activities I’ve enrolled in one of the Life Long Learning classes at Norther Essex Community College and, if that is a positive experience, I shall enroll in others.  

I got a wonderful “Game of Thrones” coloring book for Christmas and spend time relaxing and coloring.   

My churches’ craft group is resuming in Feb and I look forward to our doing a group project.   

I’ve really gotten into making soups which I enjoy and enjoy sharing as I am incapable of making less than 2 gallons. I just tried a new one, Butternut Squash and Apple - so good, will post that recipe here.

I’ll not bore you with the week by week details, but as I complete things or reach milestones I will share my successes.   

This year I turn 70, it is quite conceivable that I have another 10 years or more ahead of me.  I want to go into this next phase with a feeling of overall WELLNESS which will energize me and allow me to do whatever intrigues or presents itself.  Probably not bungee jumping, but I can’t rule out a zip-line!