We’ve reached the halfway mark of 2022 and as always I’m surprised at how our days seem to pass so quickly. At times I have felt I’ve been marking time due to personal issues, yet when I look back over the year there is much to be grateful for.
June has given me pockets of joy and the opportunity to BE Social, Be Spontaneous, BE Proud, and most of all BE Aware of my mental health in particular.
BE-ing Proud
The month started with achieving a goal of running the Brisbane Half Marathon. As regular readers you know that I regularly run and participate in Full and Half Marathons. So why would I feel proud of running another event? I proved to myself that we are capable of achieving anything with the right mindset.
My Saturday Sister, had injured her knee a couple of months ago, we hadn’t been training and I hadn’t actually run since the Mother’s Day run in early May. I wasn’t sure I could run the 21.1km but with the right mindset – ‘ok you haven’t trained as hard so just see how it goes’ I completed the run in a good time and yes felt PROUD of my achievement and also what my almost 65 year old body can do.
BE-ing Social
My blogging friend Deb from Deb’s World is currently visiting Brisbane and her visit was timed perfectly with an event at QPAC. I had tickets with a friend to see Jane Eyre presented by shake&stir theatre company at QPAC and invited Deb and Jo (And Anyways) to join us (unfortunately Jo was a victim of COVID so couldn’t make it). Deb, Jo and I meet regularly online with Donna (Retirement Reflections) for our Book Club and we had just completed reading all of the Brontë Sisters work. It was the perfect opportunity to see my friends and also the play.
We had High Tea at the Lyre Bird Restaurant and then saw the play. I wrote a review: When a novel is transformed into a play, does it work? where I share my thoughts.
We spent a delightful afternoon together and once again proved how important social connections are for our mental well-being.
I also managed to sneak in another visit with Deb which was a bonus.
BE-ing Spontaneous
Not usually one for being spontaneous, Mr M and I found ourselves with a free weekend and decided to take a quick driving tour for the weekend. We headed south from the Gold Coast and visited Ballina, Yamba, Overnight in MacLean then Lismore, Casino and Ballina before heading home.
Such a beautiful area and the opportunity to spend some quality time together. When time permits I will write a full post about this beautiful region of northern NSW.
BE-ing Aware of our Mental health
To maintain a healthy mental and physical wellness we need to BE able to tune into how we are feeling, BE aware of what our needs are at any particular time and actually DO-ing what we need to do to maintain well-being. This means sometimes taking decisions for a permanent or temporary change. To have the self-awareness and courage to let go of what is not serving us well and is adding unnecessary pressure or stress. Sometimes, ‘guilt’ can make you keep holding on. The feeling of ‘letting down’ others can weigh heavily on our thoughts and decision making.
BE-ing Aware means sometimes listening to our ‘gut’. We know what we need to do but we resist because of guilt, or fear and this isn’t healthy. In June I came to a decision which I posted in my Facebook Group.
For some months I’ve been burning the candle at both ends so I will be taking some time away from social media and only blogging occasionally. At times, we need to stop and focus on what is really vital or important in our lives at that moment, and whilst I enjoy all the extra activities and connections that I have, I feel the need to have a break and recharge.
I will still pop in from time to time but hope you understand that sometimes other areas of our life need attention.
Thank you for your ongoing support and remember Live Well, Enjoy Life and most of all be a woman living life your way.
The reaction from members was very supportive and whilst I’m not closing the Group, I need to re-group and let my mind rest. I feel ‘stale’ with ideas at the moment, so a temporary break will allow my mind to rest and encourage creativity.
Are you taking time to be more self-aware of your mental health and well-being? What are you doing to maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit?
Welcome to the 2022 WOTY Link Party
2022 WORD OF THE YEAR LINK PARTY GUIDELINES
The 2022 WOTY Link Party is a way for us to stay accountable to our WOTY (or Goals or Intentions if you haven’t settled on a particular Word for the Year) and write about how we are tracking each month on the last Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Last Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere). We would still encourage everyone to leave a comment or if you have written a post feel free to link up with us.
What: 2022 Word of the Year Link Party (#2022wotylinkpary).
When: Last Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Last Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere). The link will be open for 3 days so you’ve got plenty of time to join.
Why: To encourage us all to keep the focus on our chosen WOTY (OR GOAL OR INTENTION)
Where: Link Party, Blog, Blog Comments, Instagram or other Social Media.
Who: This linkup is open to everyone.
How: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social media of your choice. Include the hashtag #2022wotylinkparty so that we can find you and include your link in our posts.
Be a proud contributor to #2022wotylinkparty
To show our appreciation to all participants, contributors are welcome to display this badge on their blog, website or social media.
Sharing their WOTY progress this month
Take a moment to link through to see what my co-hosts and others have written……
Deb from Deb’s World
Jo from And Anyways
Donna from Retirement Reflections
Now over to you – how are you living your WOTY, Goal or Intention?
Deb, Donna, Jo and I hope that you will join us each month and share what you’ve been doing to focus on your 2022 WOTY. If you have any questions just ask us. You can also link to any, or all of our posts, with a pingback, that way we get to see your posts quicker!
18 Comments
Fabulous be-ing check-in… I’m a firm believer that play is a massive part of mental health and spontaneity and socialising is all part of that. Or is it that being spontaneous and socialising makes you realise you’ve forgotten to play? A chicken and egg thing, I guess. Take care, take time.
Thanks Jo, the weekend away reminded me that there is no reason Mike and I can’t do this more often. We just have to do it! Being spontaneous doesn’t come easily to me but I will work on that. This first week of stepping back has already made me feel much better. xx
Hi, Sue – I can’t believe that we are already halfway through 2022. How did that happen so fast? I am a big believe in blogging/social media breaks and am glad that you are giving yourself permission to rest, just be and take spontaneous trips away. (Although you will be greatly missed). Congratulations on your half-marathan. That, and your mindset behind it, are things to be VERY proud of.
Love the photo of you and Debbie. 😀
Hi Donna, I know the year is flying by and usually it is about this time of year (half way) when I really need to take a break. It is difficult to do but my first week has brought mental relief which is what I needed. It was wonderful to catch up with Deb, and I look forward to the day the four of us can meet together IRL. Take care and best wishes to your Mum xx
Congratulations on a good run, Sue. You amaze me. I can certainly understand the need for a break from blogging and social meeting. Rest and recuperate!
Thanks Christie I still enjoy running and will continue until the joy isn’t there. Thanks for the good wishes. It is amazing even a few days away from social media/blogging can help. Enjoy your weekend. xx
I greatly look forward to that day too! 😀
Made my heart sing when I not only read this post BUT saw you and Mike having time away…because you CAN!! Limiting ourselves with outdated beliefs and “have to” does not serve us well. I have left a comment on your FB group page too. I think more of us (and yes, I am DOing far less now, to BE more) need to light the path for others. Take care and thanks for the link up. D xx
Hi Denyse, I smiled when I read your comment. We do have to remember that we can do things these days in retirement just because we can! We have booked a trip to Tassie for later in the year which we are excited about. Take care xx
This is such a great post Sue as it’s honest, authentic and shows your vulnerability. You are such an inspiration to many of us and I am so lucky having you as a friend, it’s always great being able to catchup p with you when I come north. I admire your decision to take a break from your FB group and hope you enjoy the time away from it all. Thanks for being a great co-host of this link-up and I always look forward to reading what you’ve got to say. Congrats again on your run, you are amazing!!
Hi Sue – lovely to see you out and about enjoying life – and the photos with Deb are so bright and sparkly. You’re so right about the importance of keeping your mental health on the radar just as much as your physical health – and good to see you taking a break when you felt the need.
Deb and I had two lovely catch ups Leanne. I’m taking a break because I really can’t fit everything in at the moment LOL 🙂 x
I will miss your blog posts but I understand your need to take a break. Wishing you well!
Thanks Yvonne. I will be probably still blogging weekly but not as much on social media. Thank you for your good wishes. xx
I’m so glad you’re enjoying time away to rest, Sue. Toni x
Thanks Toni we all need short breaks don’t we?x
Sue, I love your spontaneous getaway, your ‘tea and a play’ with friends, and your running achievement. What more could a gal ask for? A visit with the grands would have put you over the top this month.
We had a lovely time thank you Suzanne. The last couple of years have been tough with family matters so it was nice to just ‘run away’ for a weekend. High tea and the play were fabulous and yes I did have my weekly visits with my grandsons which are always special. xx