Summer Challenges

Our nephew has moved out, so we're empty nesters again, but next week my favorite person will arrive for an 18 day visit. After that it's back to being empty nesters. I've gotten used to cooking larger meals and doing more housework this year, so it will be another adjustment down, then up, then down again. By August I'll have less to cook, clean and launder, but more demands in other areas.

We're heading into the most dangerous stretch of hurricane season, and I take that and our readiness very seriously. My guy and I now both need to have surgery. I am already having issues with my insurance changeover this month. Those are the big problems, along with the logistics of dealing with all the usual small ones.

The older I get, the less comfortable and eager I am with multi-tasking and problem solving. I think, I'm old, I'm tired, and I just don't want to deal with it. So I put it off. This is the attitude I need to work on, as procrastination is also a danger.

I think the most important attitude adjustment is to be patient and compassionate with myself. It's okay not to like all the work I have to do, and all the change that will be shifting my responsibilities up and down and round and round. Embracing change is a new challenge for me. Change is the rhythm of life, so it's about time I got myself in gear with it.

Another approach I'm studying at the moment is how best to overcome my own chaotic thoughts. Today I have six words clipped to my office calendar as reminders: Pause. Breathe. Observe. Let go. Return. That is the most effect way to overcome the house of monkey thoughts in my head. I take a moment, focus on my breathing rather than the noise in my head, observe internally those thoughts and emotions, let go of them in the most basic way, and then return to peace and calm. It's very simple but incredibly effective.

Now if I could just find a six-word solution to my medical insurance problem . . . .

Added: since I've had no more social media issues I'm going to enable comments again. They'll remain open as long as no one uses them to harass me. Honestly, I doubt anyone will use them, but they're available again should you become overwhelmed with the need to add your thoughts. :)