Friday, May 8, 2009

The Rest of My Life

In the past few months, I have been trying to figure out how to simplify my life. I have found that it is a much larger project than I thought. It seems that things aren't as easy to change as I thought. For quite some time, I have wanted to stop running around trying to do more than any one person is capable of, and really have peace and contentment. It seemed to me that the more I tried to do that, the busier I became. I have spent the last 3 months working in Alabama, and that has been a very stressful time for me, to say the least. I came home last week, and was told that I was being laid off. It came as a surprise, even though I knew that something was going on. At first, I was so distressed and felt hurt and sad. But after a few days of thinking and soul searching, I realize that it was a good thing! I truly feel that now I can start my plan to simplify my life. All these years that I have been doing this job, I have slowly stopped doing anything else. I don't clean my house the way I used to. I only do laundry when I have to, hardly ever work in my gardens, and basically have done nothing except eat too much junk food, sleep and gain 30 pounds. The commute was herendous most of the time,(I live in Atlanta, GA), the job was so stressful all day long, and by the time I got home, I was too tired to do anything. I spent all my at home time, worrying and fretting over things at work. Then to make matters worse, as the chores at home were not getting done, I started feeling guilty and overwhelmed about my house and all the money I was spending. I was upset that I didn't have time to do the things that I wanted to do, but at the same time, I was too tired to do it. Does this sound like some kind of downward spiral? Let me tell you it was and is. Since I have been home for a few days, and started to really look at my life, I have realized that I have been hurting myself.
So, now on to bigger and better things! I have been reading and looking for ways to simplify on the internet and I have found some really good stuff. I am also working on an exercise plan and eating better. I am going to post my progress each day. I want to see it on paper (so to speak), and of course, if I find any good tips and tricks, I will pass them along as well. I want to be happy and healthy again. I am in my 50's and it is time to take control of my life. In addition, I am also going to look for ways to make money without working a full time job, which I know will be difficult, and I may have to take another job, but I will not take another job like the one that I had. I want to be a new person, and with God's help, I will succeed!

The future is bright!

love ya'll~

2 comments:

Knit - R - Done said...

Best wishes to you, Lynn!

Angela said...

Good luck to you Lynn! I know you will succeed because not only do you recognize the problem, you are a determined person, I can tell.

Don't beat yourself up about getting pulled into the work/spend cycle- it's happened to almost all of us. But how exciting that we can reverse the trend!

I remember some weeks of working 80-90 hours- no exercise, poor sleep, no socializing, no taking care of the house. So unhealthy! It's killing us. I'm so happy you've been able to step off the treadmill.