Knowing Limits

There is just so much I can do. At any specific moment, or on a particular date. Being asked to do something more by another person, wedges that task in among the others already scheduled. Do I do it or demur? As I get older, I demur a lot.

It took me a long time to finally manage my time blocks effectively, and by that, I mean establishing a healthy balance between work and personal needs. Those needs are rest, relaxation, modest exercise, decent eating habits and sticking to a diet of food and sleep. The intellectual capability remains, but the physical needs of the body require us to slow down.

Another interrupter of balance is senior depression. This is a condition that sneaks up on people above the age of 65, more likely 75, when life’s limits are becoming more obvious. Although limits are reasonable and logical, it has some emotional content including loss and grief of waning abilities.

Learning discipline that works for each individual is highly variable. One size does not fit all. Discernment is needed.  Just because I can do something, and just because I am interested in it, does not calculate to must doing it. Simplify interests. Schedule time for reading, napping, connections with family and friends. Make sure your meals are thought out. Plan and schedule sleeping times. Make this your new daily routine. It will make it easier to make exceptions but remain, on the whole, with the routine.

Not paying attention to these matters will likely lead to upsets in health and physical comfort. I can speak to all of these. I now count my body as overweight, stiff and painful. I may not get sick very often, but I sure don’t feel great the rest of the time!

Cutting back on voluntary obligations helps restore balance. But you have to be amenable to this journey. You are not the first or last one to experience this enigma. Notice it and enjoy the journey to fix it.

October 28, 2022