Today I’m linking up with katessaysstuff for Thankful Thursday.
Remember the microwave meal advertisements, “Are you looking after yourself?”. I hope my Dad doesn’t ask me soon, because if I said, “Yes, Dad, I’m looking after myself”, I would be lying. When I first found out that it was Adrenal Fatigue that was making me feel so crappy, I was all “Right, I’m changing everything, I’m getting healthy, I’m going to get better”. And I did change some things:
- no alcohol (well just a few sips here and there)
- no coffee/caffeine
- tried to give up chocolate (still failing by the way)
- started taking vitamin supplements to support my adrenals and boost serotonin
- kept up regular Pilates
- tried to sleep more
- lowered my standards re housework (this is a little counterproductive though as it stresses me out)
Guess what? I started feeling better. Then I started to slip. I ran out of supplements and didn’t restock straight away. I got out of the habit of taking them and kept forgetting. I slipped back into eating sweet things when I felt bad. I found it harder to resist a glass of wine if CrashHubby had a really really good one to try. I’m finding it harder to get out of bed again, harder to keep my cool with the kids, harder to get out and about. I want to go back into hibernation. I forget to drink enough water. I hide my neglected hair under a hat. It took me way too long to do something about my yeti-like legs. I don’t eat enough fruit (usually because the kids get to it first). Money I used to spend on skincare, haircuts etc gets swallowed by our voracious mortgage. So, no, I’m not really looking after myself.
Why does this happen? I’m thinking it’s because like any change, the bigger it is, the harder it is to take on. My doctor warned me that I wasn’t going to get better in a matter of weeks. It took a really difficult year to wear myself out. I’m starting to think it might take the same amount of time to start feeling ok again.
But let’s look at the positives, the things I can actually be thankful for:
My blog has done wonders for my confidence and motivation. The blogging community is something for which I’m really thankful. My crash tests are helping me get more organised which makes it easier to get through the day to day grind without losing it – well, mostly ;). When readers leave comments it makes my day. It might seem like a small thing, but in comparison to scraping god knows what off the floor for the umpteenth time, it is a nice distraction!
Summer is just around the corner. It’s easier to feel happy when you’re not freezing. It’s easier to feel happier when the sun is smiling back at you. It’s easier to feel happier when you get out amongst mother nature, which I intend to do as much as possible of this summer.
So, I guess I am doing ok. I realise now that I need to start thinking of myself a little more. Take a little more care. Watch this space.
Take care,
Laney
What are you thankful about today?
I hear you laney!!! What is it about a messy house that is so stressful btw?? I am totally the same. (See today’s post). And why don’t we look after ourselves?? I never understand why I dont’ continue t0 do the things that I know make me feel better and instead take the short-term quick fix that ends in blahh. No help am I – but at least you I know you’re not alone :O) Cazxx
Caz’s last post..Unwinding
As mums I think we just naturally put ourselves and our needs last. It just happens. I’m trying to change that ;)
Some lovely things to be thankful for. And hey, chocolate is a hard one!!!! I hope things get a little easier for you. Take care of yourself. xx
Kellie @ Three Li’l's last post..WIN: Three 12 month memberships to Pinky McKay’s Parenting By Heart program
Thanks Kellie! Why does chocolate have to be soooo good. It also contains magnesium, which I’m deficient in. Doesn’t help the cravings!
So easy to slip up and forget what there is to be thankful for… but considering even the smaller things is sometimes just as hard… the bigger the challenge, the harder it is! So true! Old saying goes,… “was never meant to be easy”… but keep up your spirits and hang in there :) xx
tahlia – the parenting files’s last post..how to be thankful for your challenges
Oh Laney! I don’t have adrenalin fatigue (I’m going to have to look that up – is it anything like chronic fatigue – my parents both had that), but I can imagine it leaves you exhausted which is a hard place to start from when you have a toddler and baby to take care of. I do understand about vowing to do what it takes to feel better though, and starting, but finding the maintenance hard slog. I’m not good at committing long term to anything, so I find I’m a serial re-committer… Sunshine and warmth are great though for giving you a little external energy to work with. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Sif’s last post..Flash Fiction: The Pretty Little Girl.
Thanks Sif. There’s a bit of info about Adrenal Fatigue here on my website http://www.crashtestmummy.com.au/adrenal-fatigue/
It’s hard, and I’m finding it a vicious circle. I’m rundown partly because I wasn’t taking care of myself (among other things). It really needs to be a lifestyle change. I’m mostly there. Just need to kick the sugar and some of the stress (can’t get rid of two of my stressors until they’re at least 18).
lots of things to be thankful for! but the harder the challenge, the harder it is! In time I hope the challenge becomes easier :)
the parenting files – tahlia’s last post..how to be thankful for your challenges
I hope blogging and twitter also help you to remember to be proud of what you HAVE achieved, and help you cut yourself some slack, and remind me you that tomorrow is another day…. onwards and upwards I say!
Aw, thanks Kate. I do feel I have achieved something. My first month blogging was awesome and I got some really great feedback and support. Yes, onwards and upwards!
i too am thankful for this wonderful blogging community! the support is amazing! Challenges that are bigger are always harder! never meant to be easy! But hopefully through such challenges you gain greater strength… i blogged about this today actually :) xx
the parenting files – tahlia’s last post..how to be thankful for your challenges
It was your post Tahlia that helped me get some much needed perspective today, so thank you!
Much love to you Laney. I’m very guilty of putting myself last two, I think it’s natural when you have small people to care for.
I’m glad you’re able to feel thankful regardless, and hope you get a chance to focus on yourself a bit more very soon.
Thanks for linking up! xox
katesaysstuff’s last post..Thankful Thursday: Sleeeeeeep
Hi Laney, Hey where did you live in Edinburgh?? I was brought up in East Lothian, in Ormiston near Tranent, and Eldest was born in Edinburgh. We lived in Bruntsfield at the time. Are you close to your family now??
I started eating Green and Blacks in Glasgow, oh happy discovery! They sell it at my local Woollies, god bless ‘em and it’s much cheaper than it was in Scotland… but still not cheap… but it’s good and Fair Trade and (theoretically) we will eat less of it. Yes??!! No!!
We lived in Newington and then Meadowbak, always within stones throw of Arthurs Seat. I really miss it. CrashGirl was born in the RIE. Here’s a post about our last day in Edinburgh http://www.crashtestmummy.com.au/2011/08/29/cherishing-crashgirl-remember-scotland/
G&B is soooo good. Technically you can eat less of it because it’s so rich, but . . .
We always forget to look after ourselves don’t we?
I have to prioritize exercise, others I just feel vile. I have learnt that lesson the hard way!
Jess’s last post..Blessed
so you’ve seen the opening scene to Four Weddings and a Funeral? yeah that, because I have forgotten all the stuff that makes me feel sick is all the stuff that I crave when I’m so tired. back to basics, starting with an early night. xt
I can definitely identify with that opening scene! Enjoy your early night :)
I agree about exercise. Even though I hate dragging myself out of bed in the morning, I’m really grateful for Pilates.
Ive just started getting on the treadmill at night and getting up of a morning is starting to get easier. Ive come to terms with the fact i cant give up chocolate. It makes me feel good lol Ive lowered my standards with the housework too only i think its made me sit around alot more instead of actually moving.
Lifeasmummymax’s last post..Thankful Thursday
You reminded me of my late Dad who on his weekly phone calls used to quote that commercial and I would come back with the same answer. But I haven’t been looking after myself lately and I miss him asking. I’m spiralling down that sugary, no exercise, no fruit or water drain and I need to slap myself around a bit and get motivated. And yes, the blog world I’ve discovered this year has helped heaps, it makes me write which makes me happy!
I’m glad blogging is helping you too Becci :)
Nice blog post. That really is an important question. I’m not taking care of myself and I know how it feels to feel tired and frustrated and afraid at the end of the day. Hopefully I will start to take care of myself better. I hope you continue to take care of yourself :)
I am day five of being chocolate free. Would really love some right about now!
PlanningQueen’s last post..Kids Activities Melbourne – September School Holidays 2011
Good for you! I just can’t do it. Well, I’m sure I could, but not sure I want to. Too cranky without it ;)
Living a healthy lifestyle with all these temptations surrounding us is really hard. I have a sweet tooth, love dessert time. I once tried to avoid eating sweets when mild UTI got me and at that time I feel great but after sometime after the medication I just don’t know that I’m back on my old me. I understand how you feel. Let’s just hope we both can find our way back to healthy habit. :)
Nicole’s last post..Kids Bookshelves