Although it is 20 December 2010, it is freezing cold and we're back to winter clothes. Victoria is undergoing a 'cold snap' but the weather bureau is promising a warm Christmas Day. I must admit, I will believe it when I see it... in this case!
The good news is that I'm still going with the gluten-free eating and have now lost 3.4kgs. I feel fabulous... although a little tired still. I suspect that being tired is simply a symptom of a long and tiring year. Also, being on university break means that I'm unwinding a bit... which always feels like I'm unravelling. I really don't do 'relax' well at all - clearly genetic.
Things are a little stressful here at the moment. The Bear's father is very ill and as they are in another State, it is meaning long hours on the phone and stress for him. His family situation is a little complex (who's isn't?) so he's feeling the pressure. In addition, yesterday, in a local (very middle-class) suburb, we witnessed a woman being robbed. A man pushed and then stole a woman's wallet - following which she screamed and chased him. A group of men came to her aid - they were close and reacted immediately. The thief was caught and the police came. The thief was clearly affected by drugs - caught with a syringe as well. The men - The Bear included - were brave and seemingly unaffected by the risk they put themselve in to 'rescue' the belongings of a complete stranger.
Although the story ended 'well' for the woman involved, I find myself struggling to come to terms with the level of violence and desperation I witnessed. Even though I have little sympathy for the thief (having seen this all before from a policy perspective), I find myself wondering what happened to him and whether 'we' as a society could have done more to support him. Am I being a bleeding heart? I don't know ... although I do know that my heart feels like it is breaking. I worry about the lady who was attacked and hope that she has a group of loved ones around her to support her & bring her hot tea.
We all watch those awful American cop and law shows... and I, for one, have become desensitised to the violence. However, watching the chaos unfold yesterday has left me rattled and slightly nervous. I found myself not leaving my office today as the suburb I work in is a little dodgy and I was feeling vulnerable. Usually this isn't a problem for me - so clearly I'm rattled more than I had previously thought. I don't think that society is getting any more violent - I think we're just more used to it.
In the city on Friday night for bubbles with a newly-engaged friend, I found myself in a scene of chaose and craziness... waiting to catch the tram at 10:30pm (not late, really). The city was a seething mess of drunkedness and high-heeled shoes. Has it gotten worse, as the media would have us believe, or is there just a broader acceptance of drinking to excess and other crazy behaviours?
On another note, I have such respect (and large amounts of awe) for the police - they are certainly brave people to deal with the level of dysfunction and hatred they deal with daily. I would make a dreadful policewoman, but I would happily buy any member of the constabulary a coffee or tea, chai or beer should they require one at short notice!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
The power of saying 'no'
Chatting with a friend this week were were wondering about the coming year and what adventures we would discover. I was telling her about my 'Restorative Year' and she asked what I would take up to support myself. I rattled off the usual list... yoga, meditation, work-life balance, going to the doctor (not sure whether this would be supportive or irritating, but more on this later)... when it occurred to me that, to support myself, I needed to say 'no'. A firm, respectful 'no'. 'No' to others as well as to myself - especially when I'm about to take on some mad new theory and fit yet another activity into my otherwise crowded life.
I know that lots of writers muse about the power of saying no... as do business theorists and those 'work-life balance' types (up there with unicorns in terms of reality...). However, actually saying 'no' when offered a new opportunity - volunteer or otherwise, new project at work or university... well, I'm just not good at it! Never have been.
... but I'm working on it! It is making me think about all the 'stuff' I crowd my life with and what is actually important in the big scheme of things.
In other news, I'm Day 3 of 'gluten free' and starting to de-tox. My stomach isn't feeling great and my skin is breaking out. I'm very tired (but blaming that on the end of year) although I'm sleeping better and certainly starting to feel lighter. I've not yet weighed myself - thought I'd leave that until Wednesday.
Cooked a gorgeous chilli and mint lamb stir-fry the other day. Not being much of a cook (lack of interest as well as significant lack of skill) means that I rarely venture into the world of cookbooks. However, The Bear has purchased a book called 'In A Bowl' - lots of stir-frys, soups, casseroles etc. I managed to make one to much praise from himself and pleas for an encore. I'm attempting it again tonight. GF and very yummy... plus took an entire 20 minutes to cook - my type of dinner!
I know that lots of writers muse about the power of saying no... as do business theorists and those 'work-life balance' types (up there with unicorns in terms of reality...). However, actually saying 'no' when offered a new opportunity - volunteer or otherwise, new project at work or university... well, I'm just not good at it! Never have been.
... but I'm working on it! It is making me think about all the 'stuff' I crowd my life with and what is actually important in the big scheme of things.
In other news, I'm Day 3 of 'gluten free' and starting to de-tox. My stomach isn't feeling great and my skin is breaking out. I'm very tired (but blaming that on the end of year) although I'm sleeping better and certainly starting to feel lighter. I've not yet weighed myself - thought I'd leave that until Wednesday.
Cooked a gorgeous chilli and mint lamb stir-fry the other day. Not being much of a cook (lack of interest as well as significant lack of skill) means that I rarely venture into the world of cookbooks. However, The Bear has purchased a book called 'In A Bowl' - lots of stir-frys, soups, casseroles etc. I managed to make one to much praise from himself and pleas for an encore. I'm attempting it again tonight. GF and very yummy... plus took an entire 20 minutes to cook - my type of dinner!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
You've always got your health...
After years of eating on the 'run' (read: at my desk), not exercising and being too concerned with having my head in a book than looking after myself, at 42 years old, I'm tired, significantly overweight and facing a number of health issues that I would rather not consider.
While I am not actually 'ill' - I struggle to get out of bed, am exhausted all of the time and don't like the way I look. I have no energy to do anything and am facing my 40s... and 50s... and so on being an unwell, cranky woman. Clearly, this is not a good plan!
So... what to do?
A few years ago, I tried a 'gluten-free' diet. By cutting out anything that had gluten in it (which is a long list of modern foods) I managed to lose 15kgs and had a lot of energy. After a while (plus meeting a new man... who is now my husband), I got bored and frustrated as gluten-free food was hard to find and stopped. Six years later, I don't like the way my body is so... time to try again.
So, 2011 has been named The Restorative Year in our household. This coming year (a few more weeks of 2010 to finish yet), I will:
Listening to Life Matters (ABC - Radio National) on the way to work this week, I heard about a woman who also stopped shopping for a year (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2010/3085796.htm). She (like me) found herself shopping a lot... searching for something to make her happy but not finding it in malls and department stores. I know exactly how she felt so have decided that 2011 is the year that I cut back ... and really deal with what it is that is bothering me. I must admit, I'm not actually sure what that is... but no doubt, I will find out.
If I can work out how to use this blog... I'll load some 'before' photos so we can track my progress. In the meantime, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Should be an interesting... and challenging... year. Blogging - for a Generation Xer - does seem a bit ... well,... self-indulgent... so this is also a struggle. I am not used to being so public!
While I am not actually 'ill' - I struggle to get out of bed, am exhausted all of the time and don't like the way I look. I have no energy to do anything and am facing my 40s... and 50s... and so on being an unwell, cranky woman. Clearly, this is not a good plan!
So... what to do?
A few years ago, I tried a 'gluten-free' diet. By cutting out anything that had gluten in it (which is a long list of modern foods) I managed to lose 15kgs and had a lot of energy. After a while (plus meeting a new man... who is now my husband), I got bored and frustrated as gluten-free food was hard to find and stopped. Six years later, I don't like the way my body is so... time to try again.
So, 2011 has been named The Restorative Year in our household. This coming year (a few more weeks of 2010 to finish yet), I will:
- go 'gluten free'; and
- exercise and/or meditate daily; and
- stop shopping (for clothes, shoes etc)
Listening to Life Matters (ABC - Radio National) on the way to work this week, I heard about a woman who also stopped shopping for a year (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2010/3085796.htm). She (like me) found herself shopping a lot... searching for something to make her happy but not finding it in malls and department stores. I know exactly how she felt so have decided that 2011 is the year that I cut back ... and really deal with what it is that is bothering me. I must admit, I'm not actually sure what that is... but no doubt, I will find out.
If I can work out how to use this blog... I'll load some 'before' photos so we can track my progress. In the meantime, you'll just have to take my word for it.
Should be an interesting... and challenging... year. Blogging - for a Generation Xer - does seem a bit ... well,... self-indulgent... so this is also a struggle. I am not used to being so public!
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