I admit it. I am a bit of a perfectionist. I come by it naturally and I don't fight it. I say a bit because it applies to some areas ( work, for example) but not so much in some (ugh- housework) and I am okay with that. Here's the problem. This gratitude journey is a never-ending journey. Much like any big change it takes time. Much like quitting smoking or weight loss, living a grateful life has included slip-ups and backsliding.
The current political climate in our country has created a LOT of backsliding for me. I struggle so much with trying to find a bright side when we are bombarded from every angle with vitriol. From the candidates to regular, everyday people that you thought you knew the name-calling, the disdain, the disrespect just grows every single day. I am astonished at the number of people I have "hidden" on social media over their rants and hateful posts. I haven't yet blocked all of them (though I have blocked quite a few) because I *hope* that after the election things will settle down a bit and they will go back to the normal people that I associated with before the primaries. I have already cast my ballot because I will be traveling that day so I can divorce myself from the whole thing a bit but I will be so grateful when November comes so we can stop the attacks but I do fear that no matter the outcome of the election, the political coverage won't stop because the candidates will contest.
I am also working with my PT to try to shed some of this very excessive weight. Even if I work the program perfectly it too will be a very, very long journey. In addition to the large amount of weight I have to get rid of, chronic illness doesn't make it any easier. Working out feels near impossible. No matter how motivated I am in my brain- my body says "exhaustion". Between the normal job, haunting three nights a week and the puppies, finding time to even read a book where I am not ready to fall asleep is difficult. I only have 7 "performances" left at the haunted house so that will end soon but then we ramp up at the store again. It's a never-ending cycle. That said- I love my little two-month acting job and can't-at the moment- imagine giving it up. The creative outlet is refreshing, the improv is fun, and the cast and crew are amazingly talented. The customers can be taxing, but when they are really into it- it works like magic.
Unfortunately, the failures, the slipping back into old habits, just kills the perfectionist in me. I beat myself up on a regular basis about it. Beating myself up just makes the attitude of gratitude harder to achieve. So I struggle. But I keep going- because when you live with pain, exhaustion, being ill all of the time- that's all you can do. Keep going, keep trying, keep on doing your best- even if it's not perfection.
3 comments:
When you are a perfectionist, chronic pain and inflammation can put you in a dark tunnel. When no one understands, you feel you are all alone. Worst of all is having 2 surgeries in 1 year. Since you have gotten divorced no friends and no surviving family member to help out. Then you muster some strength to get through 1 day at a time. Getting back to work is a big accomplishment. You feel you trust yourself to get through everyday. Everyday is exactly that NEW!
I did exactly the same thing. I voted early and no longer watch news. I did not watch it much before and post election I may never again. I wish you look in your weight loss journey. I could use 50 off myslef. UUGH it was not that hard to put it on for goodness sakes.
Nice post..
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