The Journal

thinking, writing

Brain/Gut Issues: not all in my head

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Photo by Imani Bahati on Unsplash

Three weeks ago, I woke up with severe cramps in my abdomen. Now, nothing surprises me anymore regarding my gut. I’ve had IBS for ten years, and it’s been a long journey of trying to figure out what’s wrong.

After the evening of no sleep, I spent the day nauseated and with a headache. And the next. And the next. This went on for nearly three weeks.

I tried antacids, water, anti-nausea pills, Pepcid, acetaminophen, excedrin, an apple cider vinegar supplement, more water, no gluten, no alcohol, meditation, deep breathing, and numerous other possible solutions.

Finally, one morning it was over. Do I know what “cured” me? Nope.

This is exactly what my new gastroenterologist told me. “Stop trying to figure it out,” she said. IBS can erupt because of lack of sleep, eating the wrong thing, anxiety, stress about what to eat, or taking the wrong supplements. So I am trying to relax and know that eventually the moment (or three weeks) will end. It always does.

But it’s definitely not all in my head.

It May Be April

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But it’s not spring yet.

Woooooo, it’s cold out there. But based on the budding trees and plants, I know that warm weather is on the way.

It’s funny how the weather affects my feelings. How I can feel depressed in the gray, cold and so lighthearted when it warms up and the sun comes out.

I’ve been printing a little bit– mostly to try to decide whether to keep on. I have been debating about whether to donate my presses and type when I get back from RI this summer. Yet, I don’t want to regret a quick decision. So in the next few months, I have to see how it goes.

I hope you are seeing some light, perhaps getting vaccinated, perhaps finding ways to connect safely with family.

Keep looking for the sun. We’ll be in shorts and t-shirts soon.

My Introverted Self is Way Too Happy to be Alone

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Photo by Jeswin Thomas from Pexels

I’ve been telling people the pandemic hasn’t really bothered me because I am an introvert.

Normally, I am a balanced introvert. Friends come over, we attend parties, and we take trips. And, I’ve learned when I need some alone time or have scheduled too many visits, I need to say “no.” When quarantining became our way of life, I slid into the mode easily. I set up new routines to get through the day: coffee and reading in the morning, printing or putzing around the house before lunch, walks with the dog and naps on the couch in the afternoon, wine late in the day in front of the fire, dinner by candlelight, and then my favorite shows on Netflix or Hulu at night. I’m fine, I said to my husband. But then I realized I was enjoying this way too much.

Now I’ve had both vaccines. I am starting to see opportunities for gathering. I’m making plans for travel. And I’m feeling nervous and slightly anxious about all of that.

What? Not happy? Not grateful to be able to see others? Of course, I miss my close friends and family. But I have this sense I’ll have to dig out of my safe, quiet place of solitude. I know if I don’t, I may just stay here. It’s too comfortable.

Why isn’t that ok? Experts know that being alone comes with its own problems, regardless of your age. Our children and teens and have suffered from being separated from their friends and activities, and elderly show more signs of dementia and health issues when isolated. Studies show that death comes earlier to those who don’t maintain social connections.

So I am making plans to join society. Like a bear in hibernation, I am getting ready to emerge. Bears probably have it easier because they are hungry! But I need to say “yes” on occasion, and I need to be intentional about starting to make plans with friends.

“Lockdown ending gives us a lot of options about how we want to live our lives from now on,” says Emily Hu, a licensed clinical psychologist in this article.

I’ve learned how much I like being alone during the pandemic, but I’m not going to hibernate forever. My mental health matters too much.

It’s all about boundaries.

Figuring it all out

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I haven’t.

Oh, I keep thinking I have everything under control. But then I get that rapid heart beat, the stomach rolling, and I recognize it. I am anxious again.

Once you’ve experienced it, you will know immediately.

So what to do? Well, I know I’ve taken on some extra volunteering lately. I’m on the Board of NICA, (Nopes Island Conservation Association) and on the marketing committee of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Both are important organizations that do so much good. I’m helping with social media and writing newsletters among other things.

I had also volunteered to print some wedding invitations for a sweet friend, and since that’s normally out of my lane, I let the whole process drive me crazy. Mistake after mistake and –rushing! When I get anxious, my thoughts start swirling and whirling, and the next thing I know, my actions follow my thoughts. I’ve been going too fast.

So, big breath today. Slow down. Stop overthinking. I need to remember the patterns I fall into, and then also remember- I can stop.

“Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important.”
—Natalie Goldberg

Forcing the Issue

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I have to say– I really don’t like Valentine’s Day. It seems artificial. Forced. Stiff.

So why do I print cards for the occasion? I’m not sure. Maybe because it’s expected. But I have realized I don’t need to. I don’t want to. I am really trying to shift my priorities and lower my stress. (I know– how can a retired person have stress?)

So once I close my Etsy shop again, I am going to clean out all the cards I no longer want to print… and relax.

xo