The past couple of weeks have been illustrative to the fact that I’ve been losing a bit of momentum lately. My rhythm has slowed. I lack regularity. Time has been spent transitioning, settling in, getting used to new things, and there’s also been a bit of travelling thrown into the mix too. Yet despite this seemingly endless string of supposedly ‘exciting’ events taking place, my mood hasn’t exactly been going in the same direction. I have been here almost 60 days now but don’t feel any more settled this week compared to the days after I first arrived. And the important little things that make everyday life satisfying are still lacking- I have yet to find a favourite food, cheese that has any taste, a laundry detergent that actually gets my whites bright, or a favourite programme on TV… Whilst the weather is bright sunshine and blue skies, almost 60 days of this monotony is far from the novelty it sounds and the thought of going to Michigan next week for Thanksgiving where they actually have weather is instigating an excitement in me that can only be described as ‘disproportionate’. I can’t actually believe that I’ll be able to wear clothes with sleeves of all things, and heavens above, I’ll likely even be able to wear A WINTER COAT.
I suppose it hasn’t helped that the past week and a half I’ve also been afflicted with a seasonal mold spore allergy that each morning makes it feel like I’ve spent the entire night sleep-ramming my forhead against a brick wall, but since we installed an industrial strength hepa filter air purifier next to the bed things have got a little better. Nevertheless, the disturbed sleep and general malaise combine together to make the days rather exhausting and by the time the evening comes I just want to curl up on the couch and keep myself to myself and then the whole thing starts over again the next day.
So altogether it’s no wonder that I haven’t really felt inspired of late. I’m sure I’ll feel better soon though. Maybe it’ll help if I bake some cakes, put up some Christmas decorations and kick start the metronome of my normal winter routine (albeint slightly prematurely). I could do that this afternoon. But only after I’ve first spent 20 minutes lying on the couch under a heated eyemask to soothe my throbbing brow…
14 Responses to “In need of a metronome”
Unpacking and sorting through stuff always messes up my sinuses. That may be why my basement is such a disaster.
I’m sorry that you’re not feeling well. I’m guessing it might take as much as a year for you to acclimate. I really want you to like living in the States
As a sidenote, I have two daughters in college in southern Michigan (not UofM). Another is married and lives outside Detroit. A fourth lives in Chicago.
Where will y’all be visiting?
Nosey in GA,
Dana
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Cut urself a break, you are going thru life changes at a rapid pace. UPheavel is a DOWNer. I have moved 22 times in my 25 years of marriage, and it was difficult in different ways every time. 60 days is nothing! When you came before, you knew the end date and knew when things would get back to “normal,” now you don’t know when things will feel like home and it’s unsettling. Take Care, M
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Mold spores are nasty. Almost as bad as rag weed. We have both. They sure can make you feel lousy. My husband went through a bout of this for about three weeks. I have a hepa filter in the bedroom also. It runs day and night. I hope you get to feeling better and more settled soon, soon, soon! Happy Thanksgiving to you both.
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It * wiil * get * better *
Acceptance of the way you feel might help as fighting tis kind of downer is rarely helpful in my experience. Its okay to be all over the place and very homesick and it’s okay to howl about it and feel like you can’t cut it when you have to leave behind your family again after chrimbo. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other through all the turbulence. Each trough means another peak and it will eventually plateau. It can be done.
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Do give yourself lots of time and lots of rest, given that sporey thing! Make the most of it being holiday season and perhaps by the new year, your metronome will be ticking rhythmically!
)
I understand how you feel, it’s not easy!
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So much is going on, my friend. Change is not easy, even when it is a great, exciting change.
Listen to your body. Get some rest and some tea perhaps : )
xxoo
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Aw Nin I’m so sorry to hear this. =( I wish that I had some advice for you… Abby and I are sending happy thoughts and hugs your way! Oh, and as for cheese, I don’t know much about places in your area, but if you’re back in San Diego any time soon, I’ve had very good luck at the Temecula Valley Cheese Company…they have an Italian cheese that I haven’t found anywhere else in the States, so maybe they have some that you’d like, too! =)
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Oh dear that all sounds quite horrid, maybe “weather” will sort you out. I love “weather”, we had snow yesterday. Hope you are soon feeling more like your old self.
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One thing I do when my sinuses are bothering me (which can happen fairly frequently) is to rub peppermint oil on my forehead. (Don’t get it too close to your eyes though or your eyes will start to really tear up. I know this from experience because I rubbed oil onto my aching sinuses under my eyes—not a good idea)
I use it on migraine headaches and other such things, too. It has a nice cooling effect that soothes those terrible aches. I will usually use it in conjunction with something like Exedrin Sinus Headache medicine because the peppermint soothes for 20-30 min until the medication kicks in—also, peppermint is a nice Christmas-y smell and it might get you into a cheery mood!
I also hope Michigan’s weather will do you some good!
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Moving across the country was hard for me but I can’t imagine how much harder it must be to move to a whole new country. I hope that the trip to Michigan helps lift your mood and that things start to fall into place in general.
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things will get better, you know it. you just have to be patient and only try to change things you can and not worry too much.
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Good idea about the peppermint…I have allergies, too, and I love making my own all natural cleaning supplies using peppermint oil and recipes from the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan. Also, have you heard of Flylady?? Flylady can help you get into a routine, get things done and be happy about it all at the same time, check her out at Flylady.net…
Have a great day and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Amy
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sweet girl x
it does take such a long time to feel settled – i know how you are feeling, i still feel those days now but they are getting less and less x
hang on in there and enjoy your moment inside your coat
many hugs to you
t x
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Thankyou everyone for being so nice! West Michigan right now and aready the change of scene has done me a world of good. We even had snow the other day and I’m thoroughly enjoying bundling up for the cold weather. And I’m walking around with a smile on my face every day
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