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… March Goals …

by InvisiblyMe

IĀ Pre-Op AssessmentRound 4

I’m a few days late with this but I was encouraged by reading other posts about goals for the month and wanted to have a go at setting my own. There’s nothing major here, not by a long shot, but sometimes it’s the small things that can add up and make a big difference. I want to focus a little more on self-care and development, so here we go…

1. Ā Challenge myself to a small walk every other day – I’m lucky in that there’s a small newsagent at the end of the road, which takes about a minute to walk to. Then there’s a small convenience store in the other direction, which takes a couple of minute. I’ve managed to get to both with the excuse of buying a newspaper, and even though the walking has been slow and rather painful it’s an empowering achievement. I want to make sure I do it more regularly now I’ve managed them both at least once.

2. Ā Make sure to eat little and often throughout the day – This includes trying to have something for breakfast (never been much of a brekkie person). It’s not always easy eating when you don’t feel well or simply don’t feel hungry but it’s important, especially as I’ve lost a little weight since the surgery and need to keep my body fed for Frank (stoma) to be happy.

3. Ā Stress less! It didn’t take me long – less than two weeks out of the hospital – before I started to revert to my old ways of overthinking, worrying about things and fretting about the future, and trying to plan things I can’t control. It doesn’t help me mentally or physically and I need to get some distance from that way of thinking. This will be the most challenging goal!Ā 

4. Ā Be okay with not being okay – Strangely enough, I was quite perky when I first came home from hospital. Now, I wouldn’t say I have a naturally positive disposition, quite the opposite. As I’ve started to see myself stressing more, I’ve noticed I’ve had some really down times, and it’s been a struggle. But it’s okay not to feel perky, to instead feel sad or lonely or depressed. Rather than berate myself for feeling that way and feel guilty because I know others have it worse than I do and then try to fight against the tide to feel a way I don’t, I want to accept this and ‘go with it’. Sitting with your emotions can be hard, but it’s doable, and in the long run it’s better to appreciate how you’re feeling and be gentle with yourself rather than feel bad about feeling bad.

5. Ā Rest a little more – I have this need to be productive, which results in me getting rather frustrated at the moment because I’m quite restricted in terms of what I can do. My body is exhausted, it hurts, my brain is mushy. When I need to rest, I need to rest; my goal is to listen to my body more rather than keep pushing myself and overdoing it.

6. Ā Start a course – To keep my mind active whenever it’s able to de-mushify itself, and to feel a bit more positive and prepared for the future, I want to sign up to another free online course. Perhaps something from Open Learn via The Open University. I enjoy learning and it’s good to add to your CV too.

7. Ā Get Crafty Ā – Ā Doing anything creative is a challenge when feeling so exhausted and a little ‘stuck in a rut’. Perhaps a new sketch, or perhapsĀ use up those ingredients that are going to waste in the cupboard to make some cookies! Maybe this time they will even be edible too…

8. Ā Try to increase readership of my blog and Facebook followers – A tricky one, as I find it very difficult to share the blog and Facebook page! Not sure this will be very successful but I’ll try!

What are your goals for March?Ā 



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22 comments

VirtualWombat March 5, 2017 - 3:19 pm

All admirable goals Caz. I could do with taking a little more personal time and relaxing a bit I think.

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InvisiblyMe March 5, 2017 - 4:12 pm

That sounds like a good idea, you’re too busy with your Unique Juicy Wombs Forever business. Give yourself some well-deserved “me time”!

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Natalie | Surviving life's hurdles March 5, 2017 - 3:29 pm

These are great goals! It’s so hard living with restrictions but I think recognising them and setting small goals can really help, I’m sure you will smash them all, when you can! I’ve been telling everyone I know how great your blog is so I can be your PR for goal no. 8 ;)! One of my goals is to start posting some easy DIY crafts this month on my blog so maybe I can help you to get crafting too? xx

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InvisiblyMe March 5, 2017 - 4:15 pm

That’s so lovely of you to say and to talk so positively about my blog (I think it’s awful so it’s good to know someone thinks differently!) Any ideas for what DIY crafts you’d like to do? I’m thinking a jar of some description and decorating it – this is the craft element, and can therefore be as special or as minimal as you like – then putting in notelets for self-care tips or motivational messages. And to bake cookies, those are my two *hopeful* goals. Would be interested to hear what you want to make šŸ™‚

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samanthamurdochblog March 5, 2017 - 6:09 pm

Has pacing yourself been mentioned..you know, little and often? Works ok for exercise and rest too..Also, I’m not much of a breakfast person, but I have Belvita biscuits. Could you manage those? Above all, rest and recover šŸ™‚ x

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InvisiblyMe March 5, 2017 - 10:20 pm

Yes, little and often is great advice. I sometimes have plain rich tea biscuits when really not in the mood for food as I know I can manage those & they’re ok for the stoma too. I’ve not tried the Belvita biscuits, but if you recommend them I’ll have to pick some up when I can, thanks! x

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Liz March 5, 2017 - 8:09 pm

For me, carry on doodling, which is something new for me as well as my sharpie posts on Sunday’s. I find it is relaxing as well as getting things out of my system mentally.

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InvisiblyMe March 5, 2017 - 10:23 pm

I used to love doodling with Sharpies and sketching with colour pencils, but I’m so awful with art that I guess I got out of doing it too much. It’s definitely a great way to get things ‘out of your system’. I’ve just been checking out your blog, that’s given me some motivation to dig the Sharpies back out! Thanks for the comment šŸ™‚

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Liz March 6, 2017 - 8:12 am

I am same, not that good at art, but I am really getting into this better than I thought. Although I am the same, don’t worry about making a mistake and just enjoy. I got into this after Summer started doing it on her blog. So it is catching. ? Give it a go.

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Ella May Garrett March 5, 2017 - 9:43 pm

I love this post! I’m so glad you’ve decided to take up doing some monthly goals. I hope they all go well for you. If you do something crafty, maybe you could feature it on here? Even if it doesn’t go to plan! Would be something great to look back on šŸ™‚ Well done on pacing yourself with walking etc, that is such an amazing achievement, you should be proud of how well you’re doing!

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InvisiblyMe March 5, 2017 - 10:25 pm

Thank you, that’s given me a little lift to read as I was starting to feel quite down about things tonight. I guess it’s easier to berate yourself or note the things you haven’t done, than the things that you have achieved. I will post any crafting calamities and goal success (or lack of) shortly! =]

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Ella May Garrett March 5, 2017 - 11:53 pm

I’m glad I could provide some form of positivity! Keep your head held high lovely šŸ™‚ I totally understand, that’s why I try to mention all the little things in my goals, to remind me to be proud of all my baby steps! Ah I’m excited to see that soon!! Hehe, take care šŸ™‚

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Rosie March 6, 2017 - 6:18 am

As Tesco says, every little counts! I could definitely do with taking a leaf out of your book and “be okay with not being okay” – I’m certainly guilty of berating myself for not doing enough, for not feeling 100% and for not having been all that successful with making friends out here. Good luck with your March goals!

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InvisiblyMe March 6, 2017 - 12:01 pm

Yes, I do like that saying, “every little counts”. Perhaps you could challenge yourself this month to be a little kinder with yourself, to celebrate the small things and not fret about what hasn’t been done because what you are doing is good enough. Sometimes you just need to constantly remind yourself that you’re doing okay and to treat yourself a little more gently. Thank you for the comment šŸ™‚

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Rosie March 7, 2017 - 11:20 am

It’s one of those sayings that helps keep things in perspective šŸ™‚ That sounds like a good thing to aim for – it’s so true that we’re our own harshest critics, and it would do me some good to focus on the small achievements rather than berate myself for not having achieved everything I hoped to.

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katykicker March 6, 2017 - 2:27 pm

Sounds like some great self care goals here, best of luck to you!

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InvisiblyMe March 6, 2017 - 3:07 pm

Thank you =]

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Ipuna Black March 12, 2017 - 6:00 am

Great goals for the month. You are pushing yourself. We do the best we can. Good for you!

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InvisiblyMe March 12, 2017 - 10:33 am

Thank you! I’ll use your tips from your being positive and productive post to help šŸ™‚

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TheWorryGames March 15, 2017 - 9:38 am

Great list. You have given yourself some important yet very doable things to work on this month. Lots of luck to you!

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Vonnie March 27, 2017 - 2:33 am

Nice list. “Be okay with not being okay” sits with me and I worry

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Lily Marshall April 6, 2017 - 1:35 pm

I love your list! Very positive and inspirational! I hope to see more like these!

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