17 Aug Change Can Be Good

Morning friends!

Do you have the same routine each day? Does it vary much? Or do you experience “Ground Hog Day?”

Well, if you are familiar with the 1993 Film staring Bill Murray, “Ground Hog Day’ , then you may understand.  In the film, Bill Murray’s character, TV Weatherman, Phil Conners, while covering the annual Punxsawtony Groundhog Day event, is caught in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again.  I can’t believe “Ground Hog Day” the movie, turns 25, and there are still many lessons that are applicable today.  There have been times, where working as a blogger at home, I wake up and say to my hubby , “Its Groundhog Day” realizing that my routine has not varied in some time. Could you imagine a time where you would be caught in a loop, in time, each day being the same??

• pic courtesy of Google photos

Even the Urban Dictionary lists Groundhog Day as “The same day over and over. Doing the same things repeatedly.”

If you think every day is Groundhog day, what can you do to change things up? How can you make your day different? I feel certainly it is easier to change Groundhog day if you are retired, no longer working and have more freedom in your schedule.

I know as a teacher, when I taught elementary or music, school would last until about 4pm.  Add in the drive home, dinner, and often correcting papers or planning and there wasn’t much time for anything else but bedtime! I used to think life was a bit easier on a schedule and some people are more schedule oriented. However, if you are someone who works from home, or is retired, do you follow the same schedule daily or do you vary it to keep your mind interested?

If you speak of change a bit more broadly, I certainly experienced a dramatic change when I was diagnosed with Elhers Danlos Syndrome. I was someone who was always active biking, jogging, walking, hiking, camping rock climbing. Heck, rock climbing class was where I met my husband. We loved to be outdoors and active. Enter a connective tissue disease and muscular knots on a regular basis and things had to change.

At first, I was saddened by the loss. The loss of my life as I knew it. I would be taking more pain medication, only able to do certain physical sports like swimming, and deal with daily pain.

For awhile, I hated the change. I wanted to be the old Jess, the happy Jess, the sporty Jess. However, life has a way at throwing you curve balls, someone once said, and that is was. Well, what was I going to do? Become sedentary, not enjoy life? This was a change I would have to adapt to and figure out another purpose for myself. Some change is imposed upon us, other changes we make happen.

As I write this, the change I am seeking is the day-to-day. I certainly don’t take for granted the things I am able to do after 10 years with an incurable illness. I do however, assess how I am spending my days and I want to live as joyful as possible. The one thing having this illness and working from home has allowed me – To Appreciate The Small Things in Life. ( read post) Change can motivate you to do and try something different.

So.. going back to my original question, as someone who now is at home, blogs from home. Who has a husband who works from home. How do you vary your day as to not spend it living like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day?

Some of the things I have tried is

1. Sit outside and do my work and writing. If you are at home and are able to sit outside and enjoy the quiet, that is something I enjoy doing.
2. I’ve decided to make exercise the start of my day. With certain PT exercises necessary, and keeping fit with strength training, I have changed up my routine by working out first thing in the morning. I use 5, 10, 15 pound kettlebells to do a variety of exercises for upper and lower body. Squats, and abdominal  eveercises are done with the 12 pound medicine ball. I also use Therabands for hip exercises.
3. Change the day up by going for a walk first thing in the morning. In this heat, I often have to take the puppies on our nature trail behind the house early in the day.
4. At times, I will go to a coffee shop to work on the blog. A change of scenery may be necessary from time to time for peace of mind and productivity!
5. Add something new to my day- pick up my guitar again and try a new tune.

On the note of change, I am researching how I can volunteer with dogs. I have to find the best use of my time with shelters or other places that work with dogs as i have wanted to work with them for a while now. Perhaps as few days a week in a shelter? This would change-up my days and the joy I feel with animals and particularly dogs would be very gratifying for me too!

I have heard from some of my blogger friends that like to do meditation or other ways to start their morning or change up their schedule. I would love to hear from you! How do you change about your daily routine? Especially if you are retired, how do you keep from experiencing ‘Ground Hog Day?”

Happy weekend friends!

Have a great weekend and stay fashionable!

Jess xo

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