Oh, how the turn tables…. turn….

Life has been a tad bit chaotic over this last year but the last couple of months have been particularly interesting. Over the last two months I had major back surgery and started taking an antidepressant. Both pretty significant, both long overdue, and both contributed to me getting to a point where I FINALLY feel amazing again. What does this have to do with anything? Let me tell you! The culmination of these two things made me realize that I am quick to “survive” but rarely evaluate what I need to thrive. Does anyone else do this?

I spent several years dealing with back pain and modifying my activity. When I finally was forced to address the issue, thanks random leg numbness, and dealt with it I came out on the other side amazed at how good I felt and so frustrated with myself for not dealing with it earlier! Right on the tail end of that change I went for my annual check up and ended up coming come with a prescription for an antidepressant. This was something I had been avoiding and insisting wasn’t necessary for YEARS. My anxiety wasn’t that bad, I could deal with it, it wasn’t affecting my everyday life… the reasons go ON and ON. But the reality, when I started taking it, I felt like an entirely new person. I was able to sleep, I had insane amounts of energy and a deep desire to live life. To do things.

So now what? Well, I’m now making a conscious effort to evaluate those things I am ‘tolerating’ or ‘making work’ in my life and doing what I need to do to make the situation ideal.

A few other examples:

• I purchased a gallon water bottle and a cold cup to keep at my desk to ensure I am getting my appropriate water intake. I fill my cup with ice in the morning and at lunch and then refill it from my desk. It’s been a TOTAL game changer! I quit dealing with the back to back meetings and inability to get to the sink as often as I needed to refill my cup!

• I purchased a new wardrobe of joggers and hoodies. Ones that don’t feel like PJ’s and look appropriate. Clothes I feel comfortable going to the store in but also comfortable to lounge around the house in. This means I can “get dressed” every morning, novel I know.... Basically, I finally accepted that my COVID work from home situation is not temporary and I needed to embrace this phase.

• I purchased a new collection of very warm fuzzy socks. I’m ALWAYS cold at home and have found that warm socks help me so much. So instead of being cold all the time I purchased myself enough cozy socks to get me through the week.

• I purchased some wireless headphones which make work meetings so much easier and make working out MUCH more enjoyable.

• We changed our front door lock to one with a keypad and a phone app so we aren’t CONSTANTLY looking for keys.

So, moral of the story, STOP surviving. STOP making the best of a situation without first taking a minute to determine what you can do to optimize where you are!

This shift in mindset can be a HUGE game changer.