Stock Taking!
As many of you know, I suffer from anxiety. It is under control most of the time but occasionally it creeps into everyday life. This week over at Sleep is for the Weak, one of the prompts for the writing workshop is ‘Taking Stock’. When I saw it I thought –‘Now that’s a good one. I could do with taking stock.’ Then I realised that when the demons arrive I take stock. I decide that everything I thought was good is not; all the things I had begun were rubbish and basically I need to ‘be retired’ by sitting & watching TV! Sometimes, these ‘stock taking thoughts’ can happen two & three times a day!
Now obviously, that was not the thinking behind the prompt so I’m going to do it ‘properly’ & maybe when those little b%&$£*ds come calling I can tell them to bugger off go away.
So- here I am, having been retired from headship for just over two years:
- I am fitter than I was. This is because I have been able to exercise regularly & walk a lot more out in the fresh air.
- I am a little fatter than I was! There, I have put it into black & white & into the public domain! This has meant that I have looked at my wardrobe & thrown away those clothes marked ‘when I lose a little weight’. Who was I kidding?! I’m going to treat myself to some new clothes & be comfortable with me.
- I have re-discovered my enjoyment in cooking & all that it entails. I like finding the recipe, writing the shopping list & going shopping. I’m told that my family is now eating a far healthier diet!
- I have discovered a new world. Not in the terms of an astronomer but here on the blogosphere. I didn’t have any idea that it existed two years ago let alone consider joining it. Now I have two blogs & a wealth of contacts, colleagues & friends.
- Through my blogs, I have found that people do value me for who I am & the contribution I make to their lives. That is truly amazing! Previously, I was paid & I was ‘in charge’ & that meant that other people did not have the choice of whether to be alongside me.
So…given that I had no idea what life held for me & being really scared that it was a black hole, I don’t think I’m doing too badly. My darling OH is really pleased as there are not so many tears, worries & stresses. Yes, the stock is good!
Image courtesy of Google
You are doing quite well.
So you are keeping up on your walking?
I loved your blog, Julia. I retired only 6 weeks ago and am also ‘taking stock’.
This is a lovely idea Julia. I try and stop every so often and think of things for which I can be thankful, and it helps me to stop being such a grumpy old moo. Taking stock is a good plan. Going to do it tonight, over a glass of wine.
You don’t always have to think about the good things. I think it is about putting things into perspective & being able to move on.
Hi Julia
Wow I really enjoyed reading your taking stock blog, I think I may even have a go at taking stock myself. Your write wonderfully and although I dont always leave comments I do try to get in here to catch up on the blogs I miss.
Thank you so much for your kind comments. Have you found the other me – the Head’s Office? There are some Governor things over there!
http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk
No I hadnt found it but I shall go and look now. xx
Terrific list! Well done! We all need to take stock every so often, for good or ill!
I did the workshop too, the fifth prompt, and I tried a different approach. It’s a very short post and I’d love if you could come and have a look at it if you get time!
It came at a good time. Loved your post!
What a fantastically positive post. It makes me want to take stock too. Having also given up work in the last 2 years I’ve also found that having more time has allowed me to enjoy the things around me. The outdoors, cooking and like you, blogging. What a great find.
It does make you appreciate the little things doesn’t it! Thank you for popping by!