Maintenance Weekly 5th June - Learning how to Live

[Mitra]

As long as you live, keep learning how to live.
Seneca (this week's quote from Staying Power)

Keeping on learning is an important part of staying mentally active, but the specific focus in this quote isn't just learning, but learning how to live. Food and exercise could clearly be included in that; and getting enough rest; healthy relationships with friends, family, and all those other people we encounter in the course of a day; sunshine ...

I tend to circle round these things. For a while my attention will be on some aspect of diet or nutrition, then I'll try to improve my exercise regime for a while, then something else. Food crops up pretty often, though - sometimes in terms of nutrition, and sometimes how to make it taste good, and to include an interesting range, because enjoyment and sharing meals with my family and friends are an important part of "how to live" as well as getting the micro and macro nutrients I need.

This week, as part of the June challenge, I'm doing some reading about grains, and I know some of you have found you do better without wheat, or dairy, or soy, or by keeping control of your calories as well as carbs.

Are you learning how to live? What have you learned recently?

[cmcole]

I have to keep learning how to maintain some semblance of "normal" regarding my injury. Sometimes it takes the slightest change in things I've been doing to trigger a problem. Keeping track of it should assist in the learning from mistakes, and progressing forward to being "symptom free", as much as possible.

[Relief]

You'd think thatat 50+ you'd KNOW how to live!!! but I find that I slways have something to improve--especielaly when you are in realtionship with other people and since I have an uncommon lot of very close realtionships. I find learning to effectively parent grown children is an ongoing challenge for example and challenging myself to be a really fantastic granny.

in the personal front--sort of a bleed from last week--I'm teaching myself to take better care of my skin. It is mostly a habit and "remembering" thing but I have always resisted routines; Part of my creative nature I guess--and more and more am understanding that routines can be me friend! Whether it is about exercise or housekeeping, or taking vitamins or washing and creaming your face! so my focus here is establishing more and better routines!

[Shadow]

Lately I have been trying to loosen up some and just enjoy the moment. I am usually so busy planning, worrying, and feeling guilty if I'm not accomplishing something, that I find my days rushing by without any sense of joy.

So, since Billie originally challenged us this past winter to include more "me" time, I have been trying to. Usually I squeeze some in on the weekends but battling the guilt doesn't always make it worth it :lol:. I am much better on Sundays than Saturdays. But on Saturdays I normally run from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. in an effort to get everything done so I can relax on Sundays without the ensuing guilt :rolleyes:.

Like Relief, I have a problem getting into routines even if they are good for me. So I'm trying to remember to use hand & facial cream to avoid the cracked dry skin I normally have. I also am trying to remember to get in a pedicure once every 2 weeks or so. These feet take quite a pounding from my exercise and when I remember - or take the time - to do it, my feet are extremely greatful :p.

This week I also started focusing on "bang for my buck" from food. Battling menopause means I just can't eat the way I was so I am experimenting with getting the same great tastes I've been enjoying - with less kcals and additives (like SAs).

So, lots of "learning to live" going on with me :D!