My brain slows down in March. Tasks seem to demand more of me. A low level of malaise permeates my mood. Not constantly. But often enough to notice. Year after year.
I experienced an incident of partner abuse in March 2002. I ended fertility treatments (and trying to conceive altogether) in March 2015. Then, of course, the pandemic hit in March 2020. So it's not like any of us have escaped the month of March unscathed.
But I'm not going to write off an entire month. I don't resign myself to 1/12th of my life completely sucking every year. I just try to remember it's a lot to overcome and none of it is my fault.
It was hard to concentrate this week. Time moved slowly. I felt unproductive. I know I'm not alone.
But I know I'm doing stuff. I've been keeping a short list of things I've accomplished each month.
- I include paying the mortgage each month because I am so thankful for my home. Finally! A place to be. A place for me and my stuff. I'm comfortable here. Now I can really get organized, put down some roots, and dig deep.
- I took an online class about creating websites with WordPress. That made me feel good because it was out of my comfort zone; it was all new information for me. But now I know some basics and the basics are actually pretty easy.
- Drumroll please... After many, many years of being sedentary (thanks to grad school and then the pandemic), I have exercised at least once a week this year! One of my favorite things to do is yoga in my living room with videos that my friend posts on patreon. Email me if you're interested.
- I keep sewing! I'm finishing up a quilt for my dad, I started one for my mom, I'm finishing one for myself, and I've got at least three more started but I don't know whose they are yet.
That's a really good list! Deep breath and relaxing shoulders - they are such simple things, but help so much.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the exercise too!
Dear Phoenix, congratulations for the list of things you get done every month. I am happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of starting Yoga... I will email you with a request to share with me. I am interested in yoga but just never know where to start.
sending lots of love from Europe.
I like your list, Phoenix. It's important to remember what we have achieved when we feel we cannot do as much as we normally would. I am glad you are giving yourself credit for it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you have started doing yoga! Well done. I still haven't managed to ;-).
Much love!
Not my favourite month either (although better than February or November in my books!). Still pretty cold & snowy here right now, and now it's spring break -- as if covid alone wasn't reason enough to hibernate...! lol I'm impressed by your list of accomplishments -- especially the exercise! I loved yoga -- I used to go to a weekly class, back in our old community -- and I've been wanting to take it up again here, but covid intervened before I could find a local studio. I know there are videos (a lot of people have recommended Yoga With Adriene to me), but it's somehow easier to motivate myself when I actually have to leave the house! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe're almost halfway through...!
March is a tough month, you've got a lot of traumas associated there. Love your list! So good to recognize the good stuff. 💜
ReplyDelete