Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Monicle’s Chronicles.
I’m sixty, single and surviving. Too old to work, to young to die. I love being retired and living this monotonous life. I waited a long time to live this way!
Stop by you’ll find interesting post and the prompts followed.
Melinda
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “scene”. Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
At almost 60 with multiple chronic health problems, my days of drama are long behind me. I’ve met many good and not-so-good doctors over the years and have had two bad experiences in the past month.
I finally hit a wall and blew a gasket. My scene wasn’t in public, it was via computer. After being sick for more than half of my life, I’m very clear on what I expect from a doctor and the last two did not fit the criteria.
Melinda
1. Your post must be Stream of Consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. 2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. 3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started. 4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below. 5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post. 6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get! 7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views. 8. Have fun!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at: Linda G Hill
I want to send a special thank you to Vital Field’s Communications Director Nassia Bitha for sending me the New Anti-Aging Cell. If you’ve read my blog long enough you know that my relationship with Vital Field started over two years ago and I’ve reviewed many of their products. I don’t completely understand the science behind each Cell but all of the reviews I’ve done have been positive.
Who doesn’t want to add a Holistic approach to living your best life?
This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a commission to fund my coffee habit.
Vitalfield has collaborated extensively with expert scientists and healthcare practitioners in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with a focus on biophysical and frequency medicine applications. Until early 2018, most of the technology in this field involved significant investments and training before it could be utilized in clinical environments.
Recent scientific breakthroughs have made this treatment accessible to the general public, in the form of miniature, portable and wearable applications that target specific health problems, such as chronic pain, inflammation, cell regeneration, metabolism, and detoxification of the body. Further patented technology discovered in recent years also enabled some of these natural treatment methods to be implanted into wearable materials that could localize the treatment for the long-term, in an extremely cost-effective manner.
The Anti-Aging Cell actively supports and shows great results with:
You can read more information about the Anti-Ageing Cell and the complete product line of Frequencell’s here.
Once my health improves, I”ll let you know my thoughts. I have confidence in the product based on my experience.
Melinda
References:
The goal of each of the many available therapeutic approaches is the same: to facilitate the patient’s growth and development. Thankfully, the stigma surrounding treatment has decreased significantly in recent years. Remember that counseling is about making lasting improvements, not just temporary ones. Here are four positive outcomes that are common among those who participate in therapy.
Your sense of value and self-worth is typically formed at an early age. Life events have an impact, and you could develop a negative opinion of yourself as a result. Actually, many people visit therapists to improve their sense of self-worth; it has a significant impact on one’s quality of life. Having a positive self-image can provide you with the strength, confidence, kindness, motivation, and love you need to achieve your goals.
A therapist can assist you in recognizing and changing any destructive thought patterns or actions that may be contributing to your low self-esteem. In general, you’ll be able to improve your connections with yourself by doing things like learning to forgive your harsh judgments of the past. Quitting can be difficult, but professional assistance is available. Things such as The Insight Clinic Neurofeedback Therapy can massively help.
Self-awareness is a skill not everyone possesses, but therapists may help with that. Try to picture this as a form of “grip on reality.” But it’s not about the obvious, like eating your vegetables; it’s about the problems that may not seem so severe at first. Anyone who wants to get forward in life should work on developing their capacity for introspection. It helps you get insight into your inner workings and gain control over your life by shedding light on your feelings, character, and responses.
In a broad sense, it’s essential for progress. Setting appropriate boundaries and communicating your needs are facilitated by your increased ability to regulate your own emotions. In the end, this can help you feel more connected to your ideals and the people around you. Gaining a deeper understanding of yourself is one of the primary goals of therapy, and therapists may help by providing a secure environment in which you can do just that.
It’s true that couples at any stage of their marriage or dating relationship can benefit from therapy. The choice to seek assistance rests with the individual, ultimately. knowledge of one’s own approach to others is essential, as is knowledge of how others may approach one. Developing one’s capacity for mutual understanding and improved communication is just the beginning. Improve your relationships by being self-aware about your behavior towards others.
Therapists will work with you to improve your communication skills and the way you interpret the words and tone of others as they relate to your interpersonal interactions. Successful people in business and in life possess strong communication abilities. These include the ability to express oneself clearly, listen carefully, and collaborate with others. You might use them to concentrate on listening carefully and asking pertinent follow-up questions. It will also involve some serious introspection, the likes of which you might not even be aware you’re capable of.
These are just four of the main benefits of therapy. Do you have any more? Please share them below.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
I took a minute in the portal for my doctor to see what was new with the practice and discovered I have Stage 3 of 5 Chronic Kidney Disease. I had whiplash and then wrote my doctor. Yes, it’s true. She has told me several times after lab work that my Kidney Function was down but never netted it out. She never said you have Chronic Kidney Disease.
I know this disease intimately because my gramps died from it. He developed Chronic Kidney Disease from years of uncontrolled high blood pressure. This will sound crazy to some but Chronic Kidney Disease is the most peaceful way to die. How bad is falling asleep for two days, then meeting your maker.
It was really four days, two days he was very alert when people came to visit but did tire easily. One the third day we could tell he was going into a coma and said our final goodbyes. He died peacefully, with no pain at the end of the fourth day.
The doctor gave my gramps a month to live but it was really two weeks. The older you are, he was 92, the time frame may be much less. Talk to the Hospice Nurse and she can give you a better idea.
This was a shock. I went to bed for the afternoon to process everything. Today will be fine because he brought a cupcake home. They always get my mind off my diet and problems.
Melinda
So glad you stopped by, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
For those who are not familiar with Ramadan, I recommend finding a video of the celebration. Muslims travel long distances to attend the month-long celebration, and the number of people is mind-blowing. Muslims are one of three religions that believe in God.
Eid al-Fitr, (Arabic: “Festival of Breaking Fast”) also spelled ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, also called al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr, Turkish Ramazan Bayramı (“Ramadan Festival”), first of two canonical festivals of Islam. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
Eid al-Fitr is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited.
Melinda
References:
With around half of all marriages ending in divorce, it is an experience that will, unfortunately, befall many of us at some point in our lives. If you think you might be heading towards a divorce yourself, or you know for certain that it is about to happen, then you will obviously benefit from being as prepared as possible for it. A necessary part of that will be understanding how divorce works. In this post, we are going to look at a few of the main things you might need to understand about getting a divorce to help you through the process.
One thing that it’s good to know straight up is that divorces can take quite a while. Regardless of the specifics of the situation, it can be months before it’s finalized, and throughout that whole time, you are going to be living in a precarious place of not knowing what your future will really look like. So you need to make sure that you are aware of that and ready for it, so you are not too shocked when you are going through it yourself. That alone will help a great deal as well as anything else.
To go through a divorce, you really do need legal representation. This is important for a number of reasons. First of all, without a lawyer by your side, you probably won’t even be able to get the ball rolling. An attorney is a central part of how you start the divorce process, as well as someone that you need to have by your side throughout the entire process. They will ensure you are well represented and your needs are met, and you are going to find everything a lot less stressful and worrying with their help by your side.
If you have a family and you want to make sure that the kids are affected only minimally, then family mediation can be enormously helpful. This is the kind of thing that can make the entire process so much easier and less stressful, and it really is amazing what a difference it makes. Your kids might have a better sense of what is going on, and that alone is a big part of them feeling better about everything. So seek out some good mediation as soon as possible – you will be glad you did.
There is no doubt that a divorce can be one of the messiest experiences you ever go through. Even when both parties have the best intentions in the world, emotions can get high and it can cause a lot of upset. So you need to make sure that you are as emotionally prepared for this up-and-down process as you can possibly be. As long as you know that it might be a messy process, you are already some way towards being able to deal with it a lot more effectively and easily.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Are You Feeling Overwhelmed and Stressed Out? Don’tDon’t fret – many others feel the same! Organizing your life and taking purposeful steps are all effective strategies for getting life back under control – This blog post will discuss tips to regain your control! This post offers easy tips to organize yourself and rebuild momentum for long-term success in both personal and professional settings – read on if you wish to regain the tools needed to take charge!
Sometimes life can make us feel like we’re spiraling out of control. It’s in those moments that our confidence can take a hit. However, regaining confidence isn’t as intangible as it may seem. One way to do this is to think about what boosts your confidence. It may be feeling good about your body, in which case committing to fitness could be a solution. If it’s the knowledge that makes you feel confident, find people you admire and learn from them or reach out to a mentor.
Assessing your time management skills is about taking a closer look at how you spend your time and being honest about areas where you may be wasting it. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, getting lost in email triage, or just taking longer than necessary to complete certain tasks. Identifying time traps is crucial to making better use of your day. Once you clearly understand where your time is going, you can start prioritizing the things that matter most to you and eliminating distractions. Remember, time is a finite resource, so make the most of it by being intentional about how you use it.
Organizing the little things is an excellent way to regain control of your chaotic life. With seemingly endless to-do lists and constant stress, our environment can quickly become cluttered, leading to even more anxiety. Starting with simple steps like decluttering your workspace or organizing your sock drawer can promote a sense of order and balance. Repair that windscreen crack and start taking back your life; visit https://agdnow.com/ to learn more about windscreen repairs. Plus, small victories with middle-of-the-road tasks will motivate you to tackle more significant problems. By taking care of these small details, you can regain the reins and feel empowered to handle harder tasks.
Being too harsh on yourself can take its toll on your mental health. Reminding yourself that progress takes time is key. Building routines and taking small steps toward your goals can add up over time to make big differences in life. Don’t be afraid to reassess and try something different if something doesn’t seem to be working; the journey toward improvement should be as rewarding as its end goal, so allow yourself plenty of time.
Life seems out of our control at times, which should serve as an alert that it’s time to slow down and evaluate where we stand in life. When things suddenly crumble all at once, this could be a telltale sign that our balance has shifted out of balance and needs resetting.
Balance is an ever-evolving pursuit and should evolve alongside major life events and the passage of time. Anytime everything seems overwhelming at once, consider it an opportunity to rebuild and get back on track.
This a collaborative post.
Melinda
Earth Day was first held on April 22,1970 to support environmental protection. Today there are events held around the world with a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.
We all have to do our part to keep our planet healthy.
Melinda
References;
I’m glad you visited my blog today, be sure to leave your comments below.
Melinda
Are your efforts toward better health more wellness-focused or illness-focused? A silly question? Let me explain….
Where’s Your Focus? Wellness or Illness? — Olive Tree Saints
It may surprise you that more boys and men are diagnosed with Eating Disorders than girls and women? Part of the reason for not reaching out is the stigma around Mental Health support and the lack of education about the disorder.
Eating Disorders are complex and treatment directed toward males can be limited. Helping someone overcome an Eating Disorder requires patience, therapy, or a stay at an in-house treatment center. I’ve only read a couple of books on Eating Disorders and will say it’s a very long road of relapses to reach recovery.
Due to their own stigma parents and family often overlook the early warning signs and do not reach out for help until it’s a crisis.
In the United States alone, eating disorders will affect 10 million males at some point in their lives. But due in large part to cultural bias, they are much less likely to seek treatment for their eating disorder. The good news is that once a man finds help, they show similar responses to treatment as women. Several factors lead to men and boys being under- and undiagnosed for an eating disorder. Men can face a double stigma, for having a disorder characterized as feminine or gay and for seeking psychological help. Additionally, assessment tests with language geared to women and girls have led to misconceptions about the nature of disordered eating in men according to the National Eating Disorder Association.
The list of symptoms is long because it’s all-encompassing.
I encourage you to visit National Eating Disorder Association for a breakdown of the seven types of Eating Disorders and other behavioral and food concerns. Finding the underlying causes requires a trained professional in the right setting, an individual plan, and most importantly support from family and friends.
When looking for the right professional, talk with them about their approach and experience before introducing them to the patient. Finding the right approach may require research and time. It’s important to do this on the front end if possible. An approved method and training will make all the difference on the road to recovery. Disruptions during treatment can interfere with the recovery process making the patient resistant to continued treatment.
Melinda
References
Stress causes depression, anxiety, and health problems
Chronic Stress and Health — DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Melinda
Reference:
Field Guide by Stampington
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Dear Jo Anne.
My name is Hannah. I am 29 years old, from Australia and I’ve never liked introductions – probably because I’m not very good at them!
I adore blogging and find myself drawn to create pieces that are usually inspired by the difficult stuff. Some of my writing interests include adulthood, grief and loss, lifestyle, fiction, humour, social anxiety, mental health, self-improvement, and media.
Hannah’s site is great! Be sure to stop by and say hello.
Melinda
I’m so glad you are enjoying the Today in History on Sundays, thanks for all the feedback.
Melinda
I had a rough week with my health and went to the doctor. Here is a tip the doctor did not share and I was unaware of until returning home and doing some research.
You can have a UTI at the same time you’re passing a Kidney Stone, it’s very common.
If you have some UTI and Kidney Stone symptoms, read about Kidney Infections.
I work hard to not go in self-diagnosed but in this case, some knowledge would have gone a long way.
Because it was an emergency I had to see another doctor, and due to her blank look at me, I plan to wait to see my doctor at all costs.
When I went to bed that night, I realized I had worn my “100% My Body” tee. Did that have any play in her treatment of me? It’s a frightening thought, but Free Speech is not without consequences.
Melinda
This is a topic that I’ve struggled with for quite some time now. You see while I have been living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Lyme Disease (to name a couple), I also have a great love for ALL things fashion. So what’s the big deal? Well, I’m so glad you asked. HOW I SHOW UP […]
Chronic Illness & My Love Of Fashion — Windy’s Journey
I’m overjoyed to announce that Beauty from Ashes has joined Survivors Blog Here. Tiffany has been thru the extreme trauma of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence and is rebuilding her life. She’s a survivor, strong to the core, wants to help others, and is very nice. We’ve been following each other and talking often, she […]
Celebrate with Us! Beauty from Ashes has joined Survivors Blog Here — Survivors Blog Here
After blowing a gasket to my husband about my health frustrations last night, I took my Xanax and went to bed early. This morning I’m feeling better, even went to the portal and erased the message to my doctor.
Since my appointment was an emergency and they worked me in I had to see a different doctor. Do that once and you may love your regular doctor more. The doctor did not share some basic 101 tips that would have helped me leave with a crumb. When I found it on the Internet, I got angry.
I’ve been headed toward a wall with my health for the past year and yesterday I hit it hard. Thank goodness my husband understands my health challenges, how to put the pieces again, and knows a cupcake goes a long way.
I cut most sweets from my diet a year ago as my weight loss journey began but today I added a large cupcake to lunch. The heating pad will feel so much better now!
Stay strong, get angry, get it out of your system, cry, or scream to release the anger, then take a step forward.
Melinda
So glad you stopped by, I appreciate you and hope to see you again.
Melinda
I’ve had two new health issues come up which I believe are unrelated but you have to know.
I was already feeling defeated enough after spending four days trying to self-medicate.
While at the Lab, I was not able to give them everything they needed, pee. My doctor will not write a prescription for antibiotics without complete lab results. I had to sit in the lobby guzzling water so I wouldn’t have to drive back. Success.
I feel like I’ve been pushed down a mountain and I’m at the bottom. I had to wait and hear from my doctor before knowing anything.
I found one of my favorite “Hair Bands”. It helped to crack the door on a better attitude.
Maybe you need that too.
Melinda
Life isn’t always pretty if the fact some heinous crimes take place under our noses every day. Please don’t turn a blind eye because it’s painful to see, take action, no matter how small when you can.
Melinda
I went to a Board meeting last night for a new foundation a friend, the other board members, and myself are starting. (My friend let’s call her K founded it the rest of us are on the board helping get it up and running) it’s called After The Last Sale Foundation (I’m really excited about […]
The importance of a hairbrush — Beauty From Ashes
You could argue that there’s no right time to have a baby. Having a baby will always be disruptive and you’ll have to make some sacrifices no matter the circumstances.
That said, there are certain situations where it can be much easier to raise a child. These are the types of situations that you ideally want to get yourself into before settling down with a baby as it could make the experience much more rewarding.
For those who are undecided as to whether to have a baby right now, here are a few important questions to ask yourself.
Do you want to become a parent?
This is the most important question to ask yourself. If you are passionate about having a child and feel that becoming a parent now would complete you, then it makes sense to try for a baby right now while you are eager.
If you have no interest in becoming a parent and cannot fathom taking on the responsibility, then now is clearly not the right time. While many reluctant parents learn to love parenthood when forced into it, there is no guarantee that you will feel this way, and shouldn’t let yourself be unduly pressured.
Does your partner want a child?
Deciding to have a child can be very difficult if one partner wants a child and the other doesn’t. If you want to stay together, one partner will have to make the ultimate compromise. Relationship counseling could be necessary to help you make the decision.
The decision to have a baby could be much harder if one of you is already pregnant and you are both conflicted about having a baby. You will have less time to make a decision – it could be important to look into services like abortion counseling services to talk things out. If you are pregnant, it is ultimately your decision whether to keep the baby or not, and you should not feel pressured by your partner to do something you don’t want.
Are you physically/mentally healthy enough?
Ideally, you don’t want to be battling any serious physical or mental health problems when having a baby. Becoming a parent could be too much of a strain and may just cause any health problems to get worse. Giving birth may even be dangerous for you or the baby if you have certain serious physical health problems.
Wait until you are in a better place mentally or physically to have a baby. There are times when having a baby can help people overcome depression or even addiction, but you need to be passionate about having a baby, to begin with.
Is your home a safe environment?
You don’t want to be raising a child in a home that is unsafe. If you are living with people who are abusive or there are other issues like a high local crime rate or a pest problem in your home, you should consider whether you need to get out first. Leaving toxic people behind and moving to a better home could prevent you from feeling that you or your baby is in danger.
Is your age an important factor?
Having a child as a teenager can disrupt education and carry various pregnancy and birth risks. That said, many teen parents go on to have healthy and happy children. This post explains more about whether to keep a child as a teenager.
If you are in your late 30s or older, you may need to consider your fertility. Having a child now could be important to increase your chances of falling pregnant and carrying the baby. Most women cannot have a baby naturally after 45. This guide offers more information on having a baby in your 40s.
Can you afford to look after a baby?
Raising a baby is expensive, but with enough support around you, it is possible to still be a great parent with little to no money.
Being financially stable first could be more important if you do not have much support around you. Without others around you to chip in, it could be much harder to afford the care your child needs. This guide offers more information about the costs of having a baby.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
My Lillies will start blooming soon.
Melinda
Most people who take medication know there are side effects to everything including over-the-counter options. Most won’t even notice the side effects that are minor and they go away quickly. I just came off medication due to getting several of the worst side effects which have created havoc in my life.
My Salivary Glands aren’t working, and my doctor called in medication to help ease my stomach. The first medication had Lupus at the top of the side effects. Why expose my already weakened immune system to Lupus? The second drug was a disaster, and it wreaked havoc on my Gastrointestinal system which created so much pain. The medications also gave me right-side pain like you’re having a heart attack.
The medication was causing more harm than the original problem. My doctor ordered several tests on my Esophagus and looked for damage to my stomach. Based on the test, my Esophagus needs more investigation. I am waiting for the hospital to call for scheduling. He ordered a biopsy of my Esophagus and is looking at why some fluid went into my lungs on the last test.
I will continue to put my health first and get a second opinion before more invasive tests are ordered.
Before taking any medication it’s important to read all the side effects before taking them. Know the concerning side effects that tell you to call your doctor and know the most serious side effects, these are the ones that land you in the hospital or worse.
Melinda
Reference
Work situations are difficult to navigate sometimes. Anxiety sets in and you may feel as if you are sinking. Thankfully there are ways to ease your stress. From breathing techniques to yoga, and more, there are ways to help reduce your stress. You may have already looked at CBD and other types of cannabis and in this case, you may want to look at Budder Bongs, but you should always be responsible.
Photo: Unsplash
Sometimes the problems with work are borne out of social activities in the workplace. In order to be comfortable with your co-workers, try to expand your comfort zone. Consciously try to create small talk with people you meet throughout the day: at lunch, in the elevator, or in the coffee corner. Try to initiate short conversations or flatter when the place is in place. Such behavior will teach others that you are an accessible person and can be talked to. Remember that it is not so important to say the right thing, it is more important to be present. People are usually more comfortable with who they know.
Those who suffer from social anxiety may have difficulty talking to their supervisor. Any communication with your manager may be difficult for you. You may have difficulty with the simplest questions, it is common for people with social anxiety to try to get away with asking and finding out with the manager the information they need. Unfortunately, avoiding a conversation with the manager can impair your functioning and the manner in which the task is fulfilled: you will find yourself working long hours in a way that will ultimately not be to the satisfaction of your superiors.
If you feel uncomfortable in meetings – try to get to the meeting a quarter of an hour earlier so you can meet others when they arrive. Most people who suffer from social anxiety and shyness come to meetings late so that they do not have to socialize with others. But this behavior only makes you feel more isolated and stressed. During meetings, try to remember that others must also feel uncomfortable and have difficulty speaking. Quite a lot of people actually have difficulty expressing their opinions. If you take the initiative and speak first, it will reassure the rest and they will appreciate and respect you for it. Try to replace the negative thought with a more accurate, or more helpful thought: “I’m usually good enough in meetings.” Even if this mental exercise feels strange and strange to you, over time it will reduce your insecurity in work meetings. You will soon start to make a shift and feel more confident.
Workplaces usually hold social events that you are expected to attend. Company trips, zoom parties, joint video photography, farewell party, and conferences. The human resources department works hard to connect the employees and for most of them, a fun day is really fun. For people with social anxiety, these events can be particularly difficult – they expose their social shame – their difficulty in feeling comfortable.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Looking for the Light 