Life lately – October 2021

Monday, November 1, 2021 Permalink

It may surprise you to know that even sometimes I eyeroll over my navel-gazing posts. I’ve got several started. One about how I wish I could erase my memory so I’m less prone to compare myself in the present to the past. And yes I know, we’re supposed to become ‘better’ people as we age, although I think I’ve failed big-time there.

There’s another about scarcity and enoughness. Sigh. Another about my internal voice, complementing last week’s post, about the fact I hear everything I think. (And again others are the complete opposite.) And then there’s one about the way we consume stuff and the fact I’ve not ‘pivoted’ (#sorrynotsorry) to podcasts, Facebook / Instagram live, online launch events when others have embraced them.

Yeah… nah. Can’t be arsed pursuing any of those thoughts but wanted to write something so here you have it.

A healthier me

I suspect this won’t last long but I’m trying to learn from lessons’ past and make some small changes in my health and fitness regime.

life lately

I’m trying to be more consistent at getting to my TWO exercise classes each week. And… I’ve started doing some very short walks in my local area. I’ve mentioned the hills before and am weirdly phobic about hills and stairs (from a fitness point of view). I can only think that’s why I’m so reticent to tread the footpaths where I live, but I’ve found a very short (almost hill-less) stroll to do once or twice a day. It’s not even 1km / 1000 steps, but I hope it’s getting me more confident about being out and about in my neighbourhood and might motivate me to tackle some hills. I’m also trying to wear-in some new rubber thongs so it’s the perfect distance to give them a test-drive and avoid blisters at the same time.

A working me

I think I have a full-time job. I mean… I’ve signed the contract so I do believe I have a job. But for reasons unknown I feel I need to wait until my start date (which may be next week) to confirm that’s the case. Perhaps I’m worried I’ll jinx it, I’m not sure. It’s a work-from-home gig, but full-time and permanent. So NOT just a few hours here and there and NOT a contract.

And that’s it. My news for October 2021. And apparently it’s November. How on earth did that happen? I hope your October passed without great turmoil. 

Joining Denyse Whelan’s #Lifethisweek linkup.

30 Comments
  • Vanessa
    November 1, 2021

    Fingers crossed for a start date soon. Sounds like a dream working situation to me! Walking… well I’ve learned that there are two streets in my area that hurt me even though walking up and back on them isn’t that far at all. I think my borked body parts hate the slight angle they’re on *shurgs* who knows. I’ve given up understanding my body some days.

    • Debbish
      November 1, 2021

      I certainly like the idea of working from home, but a few stints ‘in’ offices recently have reminded me how isolating it can be at home. I realise of course that’s more of an issue because I live alone and live outside of town (and am lazy about heading ‘into’ town).

  • Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
    November 1, 2021

    Living the dream – full time and working from home! Woot! I too have an aversion to hills and stairs but I’m learning to embrace them, just as long as there are not too many en route. I love a good walk – much easier than running – fresh air and a bit of exercise is so restorative!

    • Debbish
      November 1, 2021

      I went to (what I called) Fat Camp in 2009 or so and almost all of the exercise was done outside and involved hills and steps. My comfort zone was more gyms and exercise classes, not hill sprints and mountain climbs. I hated every moment of it. I have at other times though forced myself to walk some hills. I’ve avoided the ones near me for ages as my fitness has been so poor since I moved up here.

  • Natalie
    November 1, 2021

    Congratulations, Deb, on a healthier you and your new job! You’re doing it right by starting with short walks and trying to be consistent with your exercise classes. Have a great week!

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Thanks Natalie. I certainly hope so and know I need to do something that’s sustainable.

  • patwdoyle11
    November 2, 2021

    Just so you know, you are not alone…. I have not pivoted to podcasts either, have an inner voice, and totally second guess myself about the past … “should I have done/said this differently yesterday” is the soundtrack in my head. So excited for your new job… I know you’ve been looking for awhile. I hope it’s what you wanted!

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Ha yes Pat… I kind-of narrate my life as I go through it. I thought it was a symptom of always living alone – like talking to myself.

  • Lydia C. Lee
    November 2, 2021

    Congratualtions on the job. I will be your noisy inner voice (from outside) that celebrates your success at getting a job!! Don’t pivot to podcasts because I listen to audiobooks when I have listening time…don’t have time to watch vlogs or listen to podcasts….(because you’re competing against great or contemporary authors and I’m sorry to say you won’t win…;)

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Thank you for your celebratory voice Lydia. And I def meant I haven’t started ‘listening’ to podcasts not making them. I really don’t like the idea of ‘watching’ stuff on my computer for some reason – no patience. As I said last week… I read more quickly. And I think some of the podcasts I’m aware of (like Dani Vee’s Words and Nerds) may be video as well as audio for eg…

  • Jennifer Jones
    November 2, 2021

    You saved the best news for last Deb. Big Congratulations on the new job. Full time and working from home Is fantastic news.

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Thanks Jen. It kinda came out of the blue. I’d just secured a number of casual contracts so had resolved myself that they would suffice and I’d somehow cope financially with an unreliable income and have to deal with Centrelink etc…

  • Retirement Reflections
    November 2, 2021

    Congratulations on your new job. Cheers to healthier you!
    I look forward to reading more on both. 😀

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Knowing me I’m sure I’ll share more…. (if I keep it up!)

  • Sue from Women Living Well After 50
    November 2, 2021

    HI Deb, congratulations on the new job and also for making your health more of a priority. Small steps in any goal is my motto and I’m sure that as your confidence and fitness builds you will be scaling those hills. Have a lovely November and thanks for sharing what you’ve been up to in October. x

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Thanks Sue. I’m almost ready to attempt a walk in the other direction once I leave the house – down a steep hill and back up again. I figure I don’t need to go for a long walk the first few times – just get to the bottom of the hill and make my way up again!

  • leannelc
    November 2, 2021

    Wow! Congrats on the new job – you’ve signed the contract and it’s yours – so celebrate! Nice that you’re getting out and about in the sunshine – walking for pleasure is so much more enjoyable and sustainable than pushing yourself to do stuff you hate. I’m so tired of the “more is more” exercise gurus – my theory is find something that’s quite pleasant and enjoy doing it (anything’s better than sitting on your butt all day). And I don’t really get podcasts or FB Live etc either – so you’re not alone. x

    • Debbish
      November 2, 2021

      Very true Leanne. I’ve always been a ‘do what you enjoy’ person when it comes to exercise and used to predominantly do dance-based type classes when I went to the gym regularly. Or circuit classes.

  • Debbie
    November 2, 2021

    This is all so positive to read Deb, well done you!!

  • Susanne
    November 2, 2021

    I’m absolutely delighted to hear about your job, Deb! Well done with the exercise too. Wishing you a good November.

  • Jo
    November 3, 2021

    Excellent news about the job. I too HATE hills but at the same time want to be able to go up them without losing a lung and down them without losing a knee.

    • Debbish
      November 4, 2021

      I remember when I did more boot-camp type training stuff and we had to do hills I used to think that really I just needed to be able to climb a normal set of stairs or hill without dying. Not walk up some massive incline or 1000 steps or something – that whole moderation thing again.

  • Denyse Whelan Blogs
    November 4, 2021

    Like everyone here …great news on the job front. Full time, permanent and at home…wowsers. I also applaud the small changes in moving the body. I am doing tiny tweaks to my moving and in lockdown had to wind back my daily goals. I now have them almost back to pre covid times. I am no good on stairs past about 9…I huff and puff a bit. It’s been great to have your blog post linked up for the week on Life This Week.
    Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing you next Monday too. The optional prompt is Sharing Your Snaps (photos).
    And a big thank you for showing your appreciation for guest blogger, Mr Whelan, in 2021.
    Take care, Denyse.

    • Debbish
      November 5, 2021

      I’m such an all or nothing person I tend to think I need to make massive changes even though I know small changes (small adaptation of habits) are more sustainable.

  • Tailorsmeasure
    November 4, 2021

    Well done on the job news! And don’t be afraid of the hills – they’re the best things for you. I don’t actually like hills either (at least going up, coming down is fine) but I still make myself do them. Mt Kosi is on my list for next year – that’s a big one!

    • Debbish
      November 5, 2021

      That’s certainly a big hill, well mountain… and I’m the same – coming down is fine, it’s only the going up that’s the problem.

  • Sanch @ Sanch Writes
    November 5, 2021

    That’s great news on the job front and I hear you about wanting to wait till a start date. For me, it’s usually wanting to wait till the contracts are signed. And here’s to gradually building healthy habits too.

    • Debbish
      November 6, 2021

      Yes, I’d signed the contract and the start date was (is) this coming Monday but I wanted to make sure logistics etc were sorted. But I think it’s okay…

I'd love to hear your thoughts