I’m right there with you Sandra. Sometimes I feel the exact same way. I’m 76 and have many childhood traumas. I have PTSD also. A few months ago I decided (or did the universe decide for me) to take a sabbatical from life. I still have to shop for groceries and pay bills etc. but I mostly just relax, stay out of the rat race, spend time alone – lots of it. I enjoy my peace and quiet. I read a lot, watch TV and spend time on medium devoting myself to spirituality. However I find it difficult to remember everything I read and most of the time I think I’m too old to make progress. But I know I have to except who and where I am and do the best I can. And I understand that great spirit, guides and angels don’t expect more of us than what we have. Boundless love is what the universe is made of. I find comfort in that love.
Beautiful, Sherron. You have found the right lifestyle for you. I value my alone and quiet time, too. I think self-acceptance is so important and where we are is always going to change through our life experiences and aging process. I wish you the very best on Medium and in your spiritual practice. Thanks for your reply.
your symptoms sound like PTSD... : ((( yes....pack all those thoughts / memories in a box and mail it far far away... could you do a visual meditation like that... : ))
funny..your conversations with your sister sound just like mine..I`m there to just listen...and when I unfortunately open my mouth.. wish 100 x`s I kept it shut..she just needs to vent..but ya..it`s hard to just listen sometimes.... I`d say take that day to crawl under your blankets...why not ?
Yes! The hyper-vigilance, disassociation, putting out fires, and waiting for the other show to drop makes it difficult to take a break. Even when it looks like I’m taking a break, I’m really not ever in break mode. Thanks so much for sharing this!
“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.” — Alan Watts
I don't fully agree with this quote. The meaning of life is to find a good purpose, and to become passionate about it. This in itself would make life worth living, knowing you can contribute value to humanity. - Hein V
Thanks for sharing, your article is really captivating and engaging!
Very relatable Sandra. I feel ya. It can retraumatise you going back into story memory. The secret towards the healing for me was the body only wanted to "feel" the emotions minus the story. There was so much resistance initially. Aso TRE(trauma release exercises) have been hugely beneficial in trauma work for me. Check it out on line if it peaks your interest. A modality you can do yourself as well as with a trained therapist.
Gracie, I'm sorry you've had to deal with trauma, too. Thanks for the tips. I've heard of TRE, but I have never explored it myself. Sounds like a good approach. I do somatic experiencing (SE) with my therapist. I agree; bringing the body into the mix is so crucial! Thanks for your reply and have a great day.
I had a friend who used to say, "I don't want to play this game anymore". Your post reminded me of that. We're such resilient beings, that for me, I sometimes "think" oh you got this, you're fine, you're good. But the underlying trauma is there and we can so easily push through it to our detriment. Thanks for sharing such vulnerable insights. They help us all.
Paulette, I can relate to your friend's "mantra," too! I appreciate your point. There's a delicate balance between resilience and pushing through to our detriment. I'm glad you feel these insights are relevant and relatable! Have a great day, my friend.
I've definitely felt this way so many times. Especially dealing with burnout, which if I recall correctly you also said you experienced? Such is life. I loved how you ended with the Alan Watts quote. So easy to get busy and distracted. Love these reminders that peace is always here - even if we forget the very next minute. :)
Hey Suzanne... Happiness, Health, and Success you say. What a coincidence, my three publications are all about those three and they work in synergy together for a fulfilled life!
Suzanne, I'm sorry you have felt this way so many times. I'm glad you've emerged from burnout to share your wisdom. Yes! I have experienced burnout and have never fully recovered. I can still feel very burned out by the end of each week, and I'm not working in a job. I think we all need to be reminded of peace! It helps me, too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Sandra! This is Diane from Medium...I can relate with what you said! While looking through my email list, I'm tired. IF I did what everyone is telling me I SHOULD be doing, I wouldn't be doing anything else. But, now I know that I'm peeling my bananas wrong!! And to think, I've lived this long and have done it all wrong my whole life! Gasp!
I took today off from work to get a lot of purging done, but I'm still sitting here on my rear end and haven't even gotten my shoes on yet ...
Hello, Diane! There's a right way to peel bananas? Who knew? You're right; there's so much external pressure. Glad you're sitting on your rear for a moment. You deserve some times and space.
I didn't read the article because I don't really care and I didn't feel like reading about something else I do wrong "according to the banana peeling experts!"
I ran a quick errand and walked out to my mailbox to get my mail a little bit ago, but I'm back in my chair barefooted again! I feel so productive now! :)
Just ten minutes back, I was thinking this, Sandra. But it is never happening I think. No breaks. No sooner than we deal with one issue than another crops up. Ah well, it is what it is. And in between, we'll sneak in joy. Enjoyable read!
Vidya, Thanks for sharing. It's such a universal thought that we all experience at times! You're such a go-getter; it's hard for me to imagine you stopping for too long. But you take many pleasant trips, and your photography zooms you right into the moment. Yes, here's for sneaking in the joy!
Go getter and me? Ha! I am no longer on that journey! :-) I am happy to deal with all the mundane stuff, Sandra. It fills my time. But yes, never giving up photography and travel!
I’m right there with you Sandra. Sometimes I feel the exact same way. I’m 76 and have many childhood traumas. I have PTSD also. A few months ago I decided (or did the universe decide for me) to take a sabbatical from life. I still have to shop for groceries and pay bills etc. but I mostly just relax, stay out of the rat race, spend time alone – lots of it. I enjoy my peace and quiet. I read a lot, watch TV and spend time on medium devoting myself to spirituality. However I find it difficult to remember everything I read and most of the time I think I’m too old to make progress. But I know I have to except who and where I am and do the best I can. And I understand that great spirit, guides and angels don’t expect more of us than what we have. Boundless love is what the universe is made of. I find comfort in that love.
Beautiful, Sherron. You have found the right lifestyle for you. I value my alone and quiet time, too. I think self-acceptance is so important and where we are is always going to change through our life experiences and aging process. I wish you the very best on Medium and in your spiritual practice. Thanks for your reply.
your symptoms sound like PTSD... : ((( yes....pack all those thoughts / memories in a box and mail it far far away... could you do a visual meditation like that... : ))
funny..your conversations with your sister sound just like mine..I`m there to just listen...and when I unfortunately open my mouth.. wish 100 x`s I kept it shut..she just needs to vent..but ya..it`s hard to just listen sometimes.... I`d say take that day to crawl under your blankets...why not ?
Exactly, why not take a day under the blankets? Yes, I definitely have PTSD symptoms. Thanks for your support, Brenda!
I share Vidya’s sentiments. It seems like there is always something new to deal with, but we keep pushing through.
B.R. It feels that way to me, too! But I'm re-thinking if I have to push through on every little thing.
Yes! The hyper-vigilance, disassociation, putting out fires, and waiting for the other show to drop makes it difficult to take a break. Even when it looks like I’m taking a break, I’m really not ever in break mode. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Lori, You summarized the challenge perfectly! Thanks for the resonance!
“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.” — Alan Watts
I don't fully agree with this quote. The meaning of life is to find a good purpose, and to become passionate about it. This in itself would make life worth living, knowing you can contribute value to humanity. - Hein V
Thanks for sharing, your article is really captivating and engaging!
Hein, Glad you liked the piece. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective. I agree; purpose is essential, too!
Very relatable Sandra. I feel ya. It can retraumatise you going back into story memory. The secret towards the healing for me was the body only wanted to "feel" the emotions minus the story. There was so much resistance initially. Aso TRE(trauma release exercises) have been hugely beneficial in trauma work for me. Check it out on line if it peaks your interest. A modality you can do yourself as well as with a trained therapist.
Gracie, I'm sorry you've had to deal with trauma, too. Thanks for the tips. I've heard of TRE, but I have never explored it myself. Sounds like a good approach. I do somatic experiencing (SE) with my therapist. I agree; bringing the body into the mix is so crucial! Thanks for your reply and have a great day.
I had a friend who used to say, "I don't want to play this game anymore". Your post reminded me of that. We're such resilient beings, that for me, I sometimes "think" oh you got this, you're fine, you're good. But the underlying trauma is there and we can so easily push through it to our detriment. Thanks for sharing such vulnerable insights. They help us all.
Paulette, I can relate to your friend's "mantra," too! I appreciate your point. There's a delicate balance between resilience and pushing through to our detriment. I'm glad you feel these insights are relevant and relatable! Have a great day, my friend.
I've definitely felt this way so many times. Especially dealing with burnout, which if I recall correctly you also said you experienced? Such is life. I loved how you ended with the Alan Watts quote. So easy to get busy and distracted. Love these reminders that peace is always here - even if we forget the very next minute. :)
Hey Suzanne... Happiness, Health, and Success you say. What a coincidence, my three publications are all about those three and they work in synergy together for a fulfilled life!
Suzanne, I'm sorry you have felt this way so many times. I'm glad you've emerged from burnout to share your wisdom. Yes! I have experienced burnout and have never fully recovered. I can still feel very burned out by the end of each week, and I'm not working in a job. I think we all need to be reminded of peace! It helps me, too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Sandra! This is Diane from Medium...I can relate with what you said! While looking through my email list, I'm tired. IF I did what everyone is telling me I SHOULD be doing, I wouldn't be doing anything else. But, now I know that I'm peeling my bananas wrong!! And to think, I've lived this long and have done it all wrong my whole life! Gasp!
I took today off from work to get a lot of purging done, but I'm still sitting here on my rear end and haven't even gotten my shoes on yet ...
Oh my gosh I also learned a few years ago I was peeling bananas wrong. Who knew?!
Did you read it in the Reader's Digest article?
No on the Kardashians haha. It’s my guilty pleasure 🫣
I have to admit I've never seen them, but I think we all have a guilty pleasure!
Hello, Diane! There's a right way to peel bananas? Who knew? You're right; there's so much external pressure. Glad you're sitting on your rear for a moment. You deserve some times and space.
I didn't read the article because I don't really care and I didn't feel like reading about something else I do wrong "according to the banana peeling experts!"
I ran a quick errand and walked out to my mailbox to get my mail a little bit ago, but I'm back in my chair barefooted again! I feel so productive now! :)
Good for you! We don't need articles like that! Enjoy you're chair!
Just ten minutes back, I was thinking this, Sandra. But it is never happening I think. No breaks. No sooner than we deal with one issue than another crops up. Ah well, it is what it is. And in between, we'll sneak in joy. Enjoyable read!
Vidya, Thanks for sharing. It's such a universal thought that we all experience at times! You're such a go-getter; it's hard for me to imagine you stopping for too long. But you take many pleasant trips, and your photography zooms you right into the moment. Yes, here's for sneaking in the joy!
Go getter and me? Ha! I am no longer on that journey! :-) I am happy to deal with all the mundane stuff, Sandra. It fills my time. But yes, never giving up photography and travel!
Vidya, Sorry, maybe a better word would have been active! Didn't mean to mischaracterize you. Love you dearly!