But I haven't lost sight of them and now they are no longer optional goals ... some of them are coping strategies.
WALKING
The most important goal of all - walking. My simple goal is to increase my daily step average each month.
January
7112 average daily steps
February
7094 average daily steps
March
8502 average daily steps
April - first 8 days
9293 average daily steps
It is remarkable that March showed improvement. I guess I was putting in a lot of miles the early part of March because once mom was hospitalized, I was only walking from my car to the hospital and back. Oh, and let's not forget the steps I took from her bed side to the bathroom or the cafeteria and back. But the real goal is the daily average - not individual day totals.
Now I am walking - sometimes twice a day - because I can't sleep. And I am just so darn tired all the time. Walking during the day is the only thing that helps me get through the night. So this is Coping Strategy #1. Walk, walk, and walk some more. It does help, truly.
A special thanks to my Fitbit pedometer and its ability to track my steps when I really could care less, and automatically sync with the website capturing my stats until I am ready to look at them. The only thing I need to do is keep the battery charged.
KNITTING
I had one knitting goal - to finish my daughter's shawl. Thankfully I did that before mom's hospitalization. Ironically my crafting life stalls when I am upset or worried. I know that is the exact opposite of many folks who find escape in the act of knitting during tough times. Not me. But I am knitting a little each day. And when I do force myself to knit those few rows each day - I do feel better afterwards.
CLEANING
This was a pretty simple goal - clean two closets. It did not happen, and now the rest of the house is in a desperate state of dirty! Usually when I am upset I become a cleaning machine! Not this time. My energy levels are very very low, so I am not going to fret about a dirty house.
BLOG
Blog more ... was my goal. Blogging has always helped me - especially when things have been difficult with mom. The story of my mom and care giving continues. I did blog a bit more. But I don't want this blog to become only my care giving journey - so I will try to broaden my focus going forward.
EXERCISE
Do more strength and stretching exercises. This was the goal. While totally worthwhile, it has been really hard right now. No time, no energy, no immediate feedback - like walking gives - to make the effort right now possible. I haven't lost my desire. I'll be back.
My April Goals!
Walk more!
Sleep better!
Settle mom in her new environment!
7 comments:
You need to look after you and it sounds like you are trying to do that.
Your new goals sound like a good fit for you in these difficult days. Remember to pamper yourself with some treat that is special for you.
I admire all of your April Goals and wish you the best of luck. Wish I could get myself into walking.
Walking truly is the best thing. Just one step at a time. You will get through this most difficult time.
Sounds like some good goals for you. Hang in there.
It's wonderful that you wrote your goals down - great way to hold yourself accountable. I think I will add a goal list to my to-do sheet. If you figure out how to sleep better - please let us know!
As always, I can relate to your writing. Putting things on hold, even the walking and the difficulty sleeping. I've started walking more, too. I have not slept well in 10 years. It's very frustrating. I think I've developed fibromyalga, too (still being tested), so I'm having pain that seems relentless. I feel like caretaking has aged me. You probably feel the same way. :-)
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