Yellow Sunshiney Days #AtoZChallenge

...yellow sunshiney days.  Being a chronic pain sufferer, I also struggle with depression.  And anyone who has ever suffered from depression can tell you that we need the sunshine.  Need.  Like we need air to breathe, I need sunshine to help me feel better...both mentally and physically.

What is your favorite thing to do on a beautiful day?

Do you find that the sunshine, or lack thereof, affects your mood or health?

I Just Want To Nap

I woke up to darkness this morning. And not because it was the middle of the night...oh no. It was 7am and I could feel the dreariness before I even opened my eyes. I hate days like this, when there is no sun to be seen and the dream of a good hair day just laughs in my face.

Dark mornings like this make me just want to stay in bed. The depression from lack of sunlight gets to me and the achiness that I feel in all my joints doesn't help with my mood.

But I couldn't stay in bed today...I had to take my son for his yearly medical checkup. And because he's going into middle school in just a few weeks (how is my baby growing up so fast???) he needed to get a tetanus shot. And guess who was even grumpier than me this morning...yup...my boy! Luckily, the shot wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be, and as a reward I picked him up some Chik-Fil-A for lunch...complete with a vanilla milkshake.

Perhaps I'll snuggle into my bed and take a nap. With all this rain, and my creaky joints, I feel like it's a napping kind of day.

Hoping for the sun to come out tomorrow.

 

My Babies Aren't Babies Anymore

Geez...I've been so emotional lately!  Really struggling with depression these last few weeks because of all my medical crap.  And today in church I was almost in tears watching all the little kids process to bring flowers to the Blessed Mother (it's a Catholic thing).  The year my daughter made communion, she was asked to crown the BM, and that's all I could think of today in church!  Maybe I was just missing her because she's been gone this weekend for a tournament, but I think it has more to do with the fact that my babies aren't babies anymore.  DD is a teenager (just barely at 13, but definitely if you're judging on attitude!) and going into high school in just a few short months.  And DS, who is my baby of babies, is going into middle school next year.  I'm having a real hard time with them growing up.  And with both of them moving up in schools at the same time...seems like too much for this mama to handle. 

Is this normal?  What am I going to do when they start leaving for college?  I'm already an emotional wreck!  Somebody please tell me this will get better.  They're only 13 and 10 for goodness sakes! 

My girl, crowning the Blessed Mother

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Get Over It!

Whether you are recovering from surgery, are on bed rest, or at home taking it slow for any other reason, chances are you will get frustrated and depressed at some point.  You may end up feeling like a caged animal that needs to be let out.  You'll want your freedom back and wonder how it is that you are going to keep your sanity.

Here is the good news...there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

For my first ankle surgery I was only supposed to be in a splint for the first couple of weeks and then go into a walking boot.  Well, at my two week post-op check up I was told that I would be going into a cast for the next 6 weeks instead.  To say that I was disappointed would be a huge understatement.  I was very depressed for the next several weeks.  It was very hard on me, both physically and emotionally.

For the first couple of months post-op I would go up and down my stairs on my butt for fear of falling down.  I remember one day, while going up the stairs, I was in so much pain that I just stopped midway and started crying.  Both my kids came and sat on the steps with me and gave me hugs.  And I realized, that as much pain as I was in, and as depressed as I was, I had a wonderful support system.  These two beautiful children of mine comforting their old mom.  And my husband, who helped me up and down the steps every single time, was there telling me that this wouldn't last forever.

So I needed to stop the pity party and just get over it.  I would get through this.  There was a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Depression is something that I've struggled with for many years, and when I'm physically struggling and in a lot of pain, the depression only gets worse.  So after my surgeries, I had to be on high alert for the signs of depression.  I always try to keep myself as positive as I can.  Little things like opening up the blinds every day to let in the sunlight are a huge help.  Even making sure that I shower and wear a bra are subtle reminders of being human.  So for anyone that thinks that it's easy to say "Get over it!"...please know that I understand that it's not always as easy as that.  But being as positive as I can and trying to count my blessings really goes a long way with feeling better, and less depressed.  And when you are feeling better emotionally, you can physically heal faster.

This too shall pass.  And it did.  And it does.

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For a click-able list of all 26 How to Keep Busy While Recovering posts, click here.