tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post5911294006139566081..comments2023-06-02T02:58:00.488-07:00Comments on i pick up pennies: Preparing for the (possibly) inevitableAbigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-56052302117357143892009-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:002009-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:00Revanche, I can only imagine. We've been on high a...Revanche, <BR/><BR/>I can only imagine. We've been on high alert only for a couple of months and are burned out. <BR/><BR/>After I got out of the hospital, I joined up on a support network and learned that after severe illness, your body can still be in what's called "survivor mode." It's a physiological state akin to pretty much anyone who's survived a trauma. It's been documented as real, tests showing things like a more rapid heartbeat etc. <BR/><BR/>About a month before the wedding, I went in to the doctor for a checkup and the nurse noted my blood pressure was high. I told her that I was getting married in a month and was pretty stressed out over the preparations. She nodded and seemed to take that as explanation enough. The first time after the wedding that I saw the doctor, my blood pressure was back to normal.<BR/><BR/>So it's a good reminder that stress, whether physical or emotional, has a very real effect on our bodies, as well as our minds. Try to take that into account and, as my therapist would say, "be gentle with yourself." It sounds a tad cheesy but it really does help overall. Maybe some meditation, too?Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-85027482240048578812009-03-18T10:38:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:38:00.000-07:00Best of luck to you, it's definitely easier to jus...Best of luck to you, it's definitely easier to just not do things at all when overwhelmed with tons to do. Or even just difficult tasks. Often, doing a small chunk of it makes the rest of the task more palatable. Manageable, I should say. <BR/><BR/>I've been preparing for a layoff for months so even though I'm more prepared than I could be, I'm still scared as all get out. Even though I've saved very seriously, cut down on expenses and held the reins as tightly as I can, I'm losing my grip on sanity because it's been so stressful being in emergency-planning mode for months.Revanchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07293868300535734672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-46944214069073270642009-03-17T22:44:00.000-07:002009-03-17T22:44:00.000-07:00Ironically, I'm just starting to see the light at ...Ironically, I'm just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but its a loooooongggg way off. After three years of no steady work, Mr. MT has a good part time job. But since we both work in the hospitality industry (not need based by any means) we never know what our checks will be, or if we'll even continue to have them. I'm not changing anything, and I'm actually using the extra time I have when he's working to try and pare things down further. Less things, less debt (more in theory than practice), and I escape to the blogs I love to read when my head feels like its about to fall off. I take comfort that we're all (somewhat) in this together, and try and learn from what other people are doing to simplify.Mrs. Modern Tightwadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03594519536137591554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-86175907549139075482009-03-17T18:07:00.000-07:002009-03-17T18:07:00.000-07:00Alane,You're absolutely right that there is no...Alane,<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right that there is no shame in taking food stamps or other, similar programs. <BR/><BR/><BR/>The only thing is that, in Seattle, a couple living on $1700 a month doesn't qualify for any help from the Dept of Health & Social Services. Strange, but there it is. <BR/><BR/>Still, it's a helpful reminder to us all: Even the most liberal of us tend to view welfare as something people should definitely, absolutely take advantage of. Until those people are us. I had this initial problem with applying for government programs. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but an ultimately very helpful one. <BR/><BR/>So to any of you out there hesitating to apply, I would beg you to go ahead and do it. Our taxes go to fund these sorts of programs, so that we have safety nets when we need them. Please don't let your pride get in the way of making your life a little bit easier!Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-22887920062121107642009-03-17T16:49:00.000-07:002009-03-17T16:49:00.000-07:00Now this is just for you so you don't have to post...Now this is just for you so you don't have to post it but if things get really tough you should apply for welfare assistance. Even if you only get a little in food stamps it could be a big help. You and Tim need a little help bridging the gap. There is no shame in that. That is what it was meant for.Alanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798708195655138818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-71486855572836650832009-03-17T13:23:00.000-07:002009-03-17T13:23:00.000-07:00Shtinkykat,Thanks for your good wishes. We can use...Shtinkykat,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your good wishes. We can use all the positive thoughts and prayers we can get, certainly! Like I said, it won't be the end of the world, but it would be a lot more comfortable if we can get a few more months' respite to get Tim nice and comfortable with medication.<BR/><BR/>As for "bite-size" approach, I'm glad if it helps inspire you. I think some of us just tend to feel like -- if we can only do a little -- it's just not worthwhile to bother. That leads to feeling overwhelmed and powerless. So I just try to figure out what is the smallest piece of a given task I can do to get myself up to speed. <BR/><BR/>My mom's approach is to set a timer for 10, 15, 20 minutes (depending on the task) and just work furiously for that time period. This is great for cleaning, especially, since cleaning makes most of us think of hours of toil. If you think, okay 10 minutes of getting the kitchen as clean as I can, it's a lot more approachable.Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-13378996947244577552009-03-17T05:46:00.000-07:002009-03-17T05:46:00.000-07:00We're definitely on the same wave length here, Abi...We're definitely on the same wave length here, Abigail. But aside from the PF advice you have in this post, I really like your "bite-size" approach and hold off on tasks that can wait. I'm a bit overwhelmed at work and this advice really hit home on how to deal with it. Good luck and I'll be praying that Tim's benefits are extended.Shtinkykathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13463418160441246011noreply@blogger.com