Mastodawn

ZenGrammy Oct 21, 2023

Solo travel is the besssst. I tried it tentatively shortly after my divorce, too, and it was a great experience. It’s really helpful in that you get to take some time to focus on being comfortable with who you are as a person (not someone’s spouse or whatever but who YOU are.) No work or other responsibilities to distract you, so you do a lot of self-discovery while exploring a new place.

I don’t have a lot of travel tips because I have always been not really able to afford international travel except for very recently, but I am so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and taking that step. Now you get to start the countdown and planning for your comfort and safety during travel. I personally love that part, but I know not everyone does.

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ZenGrammy Oct 9, 2023

I’m sorry you’re stuck in this situation for a while. Yoga and meditation are definitely a good start but I feel like adding either journaling your TRUE feelings about what is going on or talking with a therapist or trusted friend about the things you really need to get off your chest–because leaving all these things you feel you need to say unsaid is obviously making your life harder.

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ZenGrammy Sep 25, 2023

Yes, I started working on my grief in therapy about a year ago, and I have a friend who is a counselor, along with some close friends and family I talk about my mental health with often. I have also been working toward being more of an actual Buddhist than an occasional meditator as this year progressed. It has been very helpful in understanding the fact that life is not easy but beautiful anyway.

I hadn’t heard of The Blue Zones, but now you have me curious. I will look into them. I am always looking for new ways to up my mental health game.

ZenGrammy Sep 25, 2023

Weekly Check In A Week Late (TW: Death-Replies may be NSFW)

https://lemmy.world/post/5688804

Weekly Check In A Week Late (TW: Death-Replies may be NSFW) - Lemmy.world

I’m sorry I’ve been unavailable for a few weeks. I missed last week’s check-in/update post because my mom passed away from Huntington’s Disease two days before I would usually post it. Obviously, the days just before her death were also very difficult and I was not around much then, either. I knew she would need me to help her through this someday, and I worked hard on my mental health so I would be prepared. I think it worked out well for me because even after a week of sitting by her side as she declined, I still feel like I set her free more than anything else. My wonderful and capable co-mods were here, holding things down and making sure everyone was safe and supported in my absence, but I was not really paying much attention to Lemmy for quite a while. I am feeling more ready to return to small doses of such things, so here I am, asking for your updates. How are you? What’s been happening in your life since your recent posts here? Is there anything you’d like to talk about with the community but don’t want to make a separate post about?

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ZenGrammy Sep 24, 2023

Thank you so much.

ZenGrammy Sep 24, 2023

Update on me

https://lemmy.world/post/5617460

Update on me - Lemmy.world

I’m sorry I’ve been not available for a few weeks. My mom became increasingly unable to eat her food properly over the last few months, and as we hit September, started to refuse food or drinks of all kinds. This was not unexpected as her Huntington’s Disease progressed, but it really threw me emotionally when her nursing home confirmed we were at that point. Around two weeks ago, I was asked if I wanted to consider a feeding tube for her, and given that she had known this was a possibility and made her opinion on the matter VERY clear, I said “No.” I was able to use her Neurocare Unit room as a hospice of sorts, as we settled in for 7 days of her refusing food and fluids, and only saying yes to medication for her pain. She was very focused and peaceful through most of it. It was obviously a very difficult time, but I am honored to have been able to fulfill the promise I made to give her a comfortable death with family at her side when she chooses to let her life be done. My mother passed away last Friday at 11:35 pm, at the age of 66. My journey with her had many highs and lows, but my love had no limits.

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ZenGrammy Sep 4, 2023

I agree with the part of you that says it’s self-care. We all need downtime, especially if it’s been a long time since you’ve been able to enjoy a whole day or real rest.

ZenGrammy Sep 4, 2023

Weekly Check-in (Post is not NSFW but comments may be)

https://lemmy.world/post/4436766

Weekly Check-in (Post is not NSFW but comments may be) - Lemmy.world

How has everyone been since they last posted? Is there anything we can do as a community to help you? Is there anything you would like to talk about but don’t want to make a whole post about it? I’d love to hear from everyone if you are feeling up to responding and chatting about how you are doing.

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ZenGrammy Sep 2, 2023

I just called that number and it was a9dorable! Sweet life advice and pep talks from little kids. I loved it!

When I used to work outside my house, I tried to do something every day that would really make someone’s day like that, too. Giving extra compliments or helping with something I knew someone was struggling with but probably wouldn’t ask for anyone to help them. When you work in a healthcare setting, it’s easy to find opportunities to do those things. Now I’m always at home and there are only so many things I can do. That’s why I spend all my time trying to get people to talk to me on Lemmy.

ZenGrammy Sep 1, 2023

It's a new month! How was everyone's August?

https://lemmy.world/post/4258343

It's a new month! How was everyone's August? - Lemmy.world

I can’t believe September has crept up on us already! I went on a road trip with my husband and my best friend a few weeks ago. The car ride was 10 hours long. I can’t drive anymore, so hubby has to do all of it. I had to put many pillows around and behind me, and also ban air conditioning in the car unless the internal temperature was over 75 because it hurts so much when the cold air blows directly on my body. I enjoyed the trip and visiting with my friends. I hadn’t seen them much at all since Covid started because it’s often not safe and they don’t put me at risk just for a visit. Sometimes I’m amazed that my husband has stuck with me for so long given the fact that he would happily live in a refrigerator and I would happily live at over 80 degrees all the time. We make it work by having separate bedrooms. It’s very important when you are “thermostatically incompatible” like we are.