Your healing sounds like it’s going very well, gardening, ballet and biking. Yay. You must be feeling very much like yourself again.
I’ve always lived a slower simpler life than my contemporaries and yet now in my 50s I feel more pressure than ever to conform. What’s with that? I don’t like it not one bit. I’m off to read the link now.
Oh Kate, stick to your guns! Don't conform. Be the person that you are - there's a club of us out there!
As for my health - yep, more me. To be honest, the surgery feels like a bad dream. Thank you to you and the others here who stuck close by me during that time.
It’s weird how concerned for you I was during your surgery and healing considering I don’t know you from Adam and have only started to follow you online recently.
I really enjoy Krista from A Life In Progress's thoughts about slow and intentional living. She was one of the first Facebook pages I followed when I started my own journey towards UnBusy living. I think this age and stage lends itself so well to being intentional and to pacing ourselves, being flexible and fluid, and just enjoying this beautiful second half of life we've been blessed with. Your life sounds pretty perfect to me Prue.
I've just read an article online about young couples who are making the tree and sea change to slow their lives down, to get in touch with the land, to enjoy their children and enjoy life. It's been a phenomenon for a long time of course, but Covid has pushed folk to reconsider just what they want from life and how to do it. It all smacks of 'slow living'.
My life is pretty good, thank you, Leanne, but I'm an introvert admit that it's taken this long for me to accept what I am, make no excuses and to live how I want to live. My biggest wish is for others much younger to have the freedom to live as slowly as I do. There's so much contentment in such a pathway.
Gadzooks Prue you are doing EVERYTHING just a bit more slowly - this is really incredible! It's deeply affirming too that you are so in tune with your body - you are truly working as a team with a mutual goal.
Gardening and ballet and social calls!?
I hope you are charting your progress formally as it is sometimes an encouraging marker of how far you've come, especially on those bleak days when you feel you "should" be doing more ...
Absolutely loved your description of deeking out of a loud situation - the setting was spot on, the smell of the grass, the sheep, the thumping music in the background - and just sitting quietly somewhere. I relate hugely to this. I used to think I was kind of a oddball, not being a true "joiner" and often happy if a social event was cancelled! If you know you know, lol. Keep on keeping on, Prue! You are doing so well xo
Sue, I really do feel that I'm back to almost normal and I am soooo grateful for that. You obviously know me well, because I have been journalling the progress and when I glance at it, I can see ups and downs and then suddenly, 10 days ago, the fetters were finally thrown aside. Deep, relieved breath despite the wound being packed regularly.
You and connect on many levels, not the least being 'unjoiners'. I LOVE it when events are cancelled! XXXX
Thank you, Sally, and while I've got you 'on the line' have to say I made your apple compote today. OMG! It's delishus!!!! The way we keep nibbling at it, we'll be lucky to have any left to have on our porridge in the morning.
We're making apple chutney tomorrow (finishing off our stored apples) and I'm keeping some aside for more compote and for the Magic Apple Cake. Your recipes are always so good. I'm lusting for the mandarin and raspberry cake soon.
I loved this, Prue. You capture the times so well and I love the image of you slipping out for some peace and insight. It's a small wife. My late wife was from near Holy Island and Matthew Harffy is a friend. He told me long ago that he was planning to write a western. I'm going to read it when I'm in Ireland. And I'm glad that you're feeling healthier.
Living slowly and with greater purpose! Yep! It's easier to say, "No, thank you" now. In my, relatively new retirement (5 years), I thought I had to fill my time so as to not seem a slacker older person. Aquatic classes 5x each week, new puppy, caring for my young grandsons during Covid ,art classes, book club,gardening, and then several subtle but significant health concerns arose. Hopefully not TMI, but a hospitalization 2 weeks ago with severe diverticulitis with complications ground my activities to a halt; now reintroducing some at a snail's pace. My lovely daughter has lovingly suggested it might be time to slow down...just a bit. I am reminded that self care is not selfishness, resting is not laziness and my embracing my being an introvert enables me to be my best self for those I love.
Continued thanks for how you connect so well with us !
Thank you for that last comment, Susan. It's very kind!
Ah, diverticulitis! That was the start of what has just concluded for me. After 5 escalating attacks over two years, I finally had surgery 8 weeks ago. I had a complication requiring further surgery, but at this point, I think we can say I'm almost mended.
Living slowly has been at its height over the last two months and I've learned that life can be just as fulfilling and that one can notice so much more.
I also found that being an introvert was a great strength, but I wonder if that might be an article for another time.
"am fully aware I’m living a ‘meaningful and conscious lifestyle that’s in line with what (I) value most...’ Simply, it’s making time, taking time, and having time. Seriously, who gets to live like this?"
I love this, Prue. I had a very similar thought as I was swimming in my local lake yesterday morning. Sometimes I just stop and feel so grateful for the way of life we have chosen.
We really need to sit back and observe how we live our lives, don't we? Because on examination, it turns out there's much to be grateful for - mindfulness being the greatest, IMO. Mindfulness is the brake component on the engine of life and slows it down beautifully.
Indeed. Just taking the moment, to appreciate the moment. Much of modern life seems to try and do all it can to take us away from even having that moment, though. There's the battle. And that's why it's so wonderful that many more people are talking about slow, and connecting, and reminding each other.🙏🏻
I’m so thrilled that life is returning to ‘normal’ so rapidly! Better than we could have hoped. And as so often happens, appreciated more because of the interruption. I’m so glad that this slow time is in winter too, so that you’ll be well recovered by the time warmer weather returns. Enjoy! And thanks so much for sharing this with us. I’m definitely all for Slow Living. I love my little village. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care dear Prue.
Beth, you are so right about the timing - having the recuperation through winter has been a real bonus. Physically, I have been so slow that it's encouraged mindful examination of what my life is and how much better it can be when it's slower. It's a pattern I will follow forever.
Hope its not cold in your neck of the woods - we've had a wet, grey week but we can't decry it because its filled water holes, dampened the soil nicely (even in winter, our pasture is actually growing!) and filled domestic water supplies. The garden of course has laid back with its mouth wide open to the joy of it all!
A bitterly cold windy winter’s day today. The apparent temperature is not expected to get above freezing. Sleet and wind. But they’re predicting a top of 15 by week’s end, so lots to look forward to. Stay warm. 🤗🤗😘
I too am happier with quiet, although have been struggling with this since the loss of my beloved shadow aka 16yo cocker 4 weeks ago. It’s amazing how her presence made the air move even when she was sleeping. I’ve thrown myself into the garden this weekend purely to exhaust myself.
Joanne, I'm so sorry. Our dogs are the extra part of our souls. I love the description that their 'presence made the air move'.
Hopefully the garden has been some sort of salve, although perhaps tinged with sadness as the garden would have been your dog's special space as well. Take care...
As I recall, Covid brought you to the country house where you were able to take long, luxurious walks and soak up sun, sand, and solitude. Now, a major surgery has done something similar. Though I realize you've been nurturing this aspect of yourself for most of your days, I'm struck by how two exceptionally difficult situations have helped you further cultivate the slow, measured life. A reset, and a silver-lining of sorts, to bring focus, again, to what matters most. I'm so delighted to know you are back to being able to do what brings you the most joy! And thank you for the slow-living article. I particularly appreciated the links at the very end, TED talks, news sources and such. Wonderful resources! Welcome back, Prue. :)
It's true, the cultivation of the life I live, just as in a good garden, is considered and constant. As we age, I think we all learn what we do and don't want to foster.
TBH, its an astonishing thought that the surgery has been a silver lining, but you are right. Likewise my son's diagnosis last year. One sits back, gasps and then resets. Life is such a privilege, I think and it's a shame not to reset if one is able, so that one can enjoy the best that a simple life can offer. XXXX
It's so welcoming to me just to surround myself in what brings me great joy, and push off that which crumbles my spirit. Was thinking of my husband's slow healing in use of his hand and arm, could be December at this rate and how it's put us in a place in hibernation. Or do whatever the hell we want most days. Now reading this, its like testament that it's, all OK. We earned a right to just be. I feel you in your garden, the joy it brings you. How you happily jump on your bike and give back to your body adding energy and more healing. You sound so happy. And add a little Jimmy B helpful too. His sister owns a restaurant here and I've seen him live. Off for some strawberry rhubard pie and ice cream, a long afternoon of tears in our political arena today, tomorrow I'll be ready to celebrate what we've got next in maybe a woman at the helm! Always good to come here and refresh my spirit. I dove back into writing, we're making headway on new plan. I put link on my profile.
It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad. Jimmy Buffett
I can understand the drag that slow healing causes. The only way I can deal with it, is to accept I'm in a hiatus, and that there will be a new life with new realisations after all this is over.
I've been keeping a recovery journal and before the second surgery, my surgeon said I would only need Community Nursing for wound packing for a week and all would be well. In fact its been a month and its still an open wound taking its time to close with the help of regular packing by the nurses.
So the joy I take in doing my favourite things is very real.
And yes indeed: 'It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad.' Thanks CJ and thanks JB
This is absolutely glorious, Prue! Simply reading your words about a slower-paced life, I could feel myself relaxing—I think my heart rate slowed down too! I love that you’ve also brought slowing down into your fiction writing. It’s inspired me to be much more content with the snail’s pace of my current fiction project!
And congratulations on all your progress! Returned to your gardening, ballet and cycling is just tremendous. I’m so delighted for you 😊
Since I’m always on the lookout for interesting gardening tips…what are sheep’s crutchings? Is it the discarded material from the fleece?
It's interesting isn't it that ancient fables talked about being slow and still being a winner - The Tortoise and The Hare? And yet we are still learning...
Crutchings are the wool we shear from the sheeps' behinds to keep their bottoms clean so they don't get flystrike.
Flystrike is when flies lay eggs on the messy poo and the maggots bury themselves in the sheeps' flesh and they die a slow death from blood poisoning. We crutch the sheep twice a year and so we have a good supply of pooey, daggy clumps of wool which are good for the garden (according to this year's Chelsea Flower Show). I'll let you know if it works as a fertile mulch. Time will tell.
That’s really interesting regarding raising sheep and crutchings, Prue! Thank you for explaining 😊 It makes sense that a manure-laden material like that would be beneficial for the garden—and if the Chelsea Flower Show says it’s good, it must be!
Oh Prue, I'm so happy you've rebounded so well and still with intention at your heart. That is so important. Sometimes we are so impatient for things to go back to 'normal' we forget what the true goals is. You haven't ever forgotten to take care of your need for the simple life and to enjoy every minute of it. What an inspiration!
You have reminded me to stop again, and take stock for just a minute to remember that. I get caught up in the hurly burly too easily.
My father once taught me when we were both working in a store that when the line at the cash register/till got longer and longer, to not try to move faster, but rather, to slow down. He said that way we wouldn't make mistakes and in the end that was faster. I also learned that if we projected calm, that greatly affected everyone else.
Slow and steady wins the race (or health and peace of mind!).
Here I am at 72, Sabrina and it's taken me that long to recalibrate to slow living. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the surgery that has been the final instrument of change.
One of the fears I had was that being an invalid, I would succumb to age and become 'that old woman'. It might be something I write about one day.
I'm not that far behind you (age-wise), but quite a bit behind you in recalibration progress. I'll partially blame that on the younger man I live with who is still in his prime working years...
I absolutely hear and understand that not wanting to become an 'old-woman' fear. It's the main reason I have gotten more and more active as I get older. ❤️
Another truly delightful read, Prue - I'm so glad that you're gardening (SO MANY STEPS!!!!) and back to ballet. You're doing a great job not only of getting back to things but of taking care of yourself, too.
Your healing sounds like it’s going very well, gardening, ballet and biking. Yay. You must be feeling very much like yourself again.
I’ve always lived a slower simpler life than my contemporaries and yet now in my 50s I feel more pressure than ever to conform. What’s with that? I don’t like it not one bit. I’m off to read the link now.
Oh Kate, stick to your guns! Don't conform. Be the person that you are - there's a club of us out there!
As for my health - yep, more me. To be honest, the surgery feels like a bad dream. Thank you to you and the others here who stuck close by me during that time.
It’s weird how concerned for you I was during your surgery and healing considering I don’t know you from Adam and have only started to follow you online recently.
It's that kindred thing that floats across the ether, I'm sure.
I really enjoy Krista from A Life In Progress's thoughts about slow and intentional living. She was one of the first Facebook pages I followed when I started my own journey towards UnBusy living. I think this age and stage lends itself so well to being intentional and to pacing ourselves, being flexible and fluid, and just enjoying this beautiful second half of life we've been blessed with. Your life sounds pretty perfect to me Prue.
I've just read an article online about young couples who are making the tree and sea change to slow their lives down, to get in touch with the land, to enjoy their children and enjoy life. It's been a phenomenon for a long time of course, but Covid has pushed folk to reconsider just what they want from life and how to do it. It all smacks of 'slow living'.
My life is pretty good, thank you, Leanne, but I'm an introvert admit that it's taken this long for me to accept what I am, make no excuses and to live how I want to live. My biggest wish is for others much younger to have the freedom to live as slowly as I do. There's so much contentment in such a pathway.
Gadzooks Prue you are doing EVERYTHING just a bit more slowly - this is really incredible! It's deeply affirming too that you are so in tune with your body - you are truly working as a team with a mutual goal.
Gardening and ballet and social calls!?
I hope you are charting your progress formally as it is sometimes an encouraging marker of how far you've come, especially on those bleak days when you feel you "should" be doing more ...
Absolutely loved your description of deeking out of a loud situation - the setting was spot on, the smell of the grass, the sheep, the thumping music in the background - and just sitting quietly somewhere. I relate hugely to this. I used to think I was kind of a oddball, not being a true "joiner" and often happy if a social event was cancelled! If you know you know, lol. Keep on keeping on, Prue! You are doing so well xo
Sue, I really do feel that I'm back to almost normal and I am soooo grateful for that. You obviously know me well, because I have been journalling the progress and when I glance at it, I can see ups and downs and then suddenly, 10 days ago, the fetters were finally thrown aside. Deep, relieved breath despite the wound being packed regularly.
You and connect on many levels, not the least being 'unjoiners'. I LOVE it when events are cancelled! XXXX
I really loved this one Prue x
Thank you, Sally, and while I've got you 'on the line' have to say I made your apple compote today. OMG! It's delishus!!!! The way we keep nibbling at it, we'll be lucky to have any left to have on our porridge in the morning.
We're making apple chutney tomorrow (finishing off our stored apples) and I'm keeping some aside for more compote and for the Magic Apple Cake. Your recipes are always so good. I'm lusting for the mandarin and raspberry cake soon.
Oh that's the best thanks Prue. It's yum with ice cream too #sorrynotsorry🤭
XXXX
I loved this, Prue. You capture the times so well and I love the image of you slipping out for some peace and insight. It's a small wife. My late wife was from near Holy Island and Matthew Harffy is a friend. He told me long ago that he was planning to write a western. I'm going to read it when I'm in Ireland. And I'm glad that you're feeling healthier.
Thank you, Martin. And a small world as you say. Matthew's a good writing friend of mine as well, and I think you'll enjoy Dark Frontier.
The friends I mentioned who cherish Holy Isle are in fact Simon Turney and his family.
I always find it a challenge that there are people I'm fond of and respect so much but that I will most likely never meet in the flesh.
Re my health - it's been two months of grind but I've made it, I think. Thank you for your kind wishes.
Living slowly and with greater purpose! Yep! It's easier to say, "No, thank you" now. In my, relatively new retirement (5 years), I thought I had to fill my time so as to not seem a slacker older person. Aquatic classes 5x each week, new puppy, caring for my young grandsons during Covid ,art classes, book club,gardening, and then several subtle but significant health concerns arose. Hopefully not TMI, but a hospitalization 2 weeks ago with severe diverticulitis with complications ground my activities to a halt; now reintroducing some at a snail's pace. My lovely daughter has lovingly suggested it might be time to slow down...just a bit. I am reminded that self care is not selfishness, resting is not laziness and my embracing my being an introvert enables me to be my best self for those I love.
Continued thanks for how you connect so well with us !
Thank you for that last comment, Susan. It's very kind!
Ah, diverticulitis! That was the start of what has just concluded for me. After 5 escalating attacks over two years, I finally had surgery 8 weeks ago. I had a complication requiring further surgery, but at this point, I think we can say I'm almost mended.
Living slowly has been at its height over the last two months and I've learned that life can be just as fulfilling and that one can notice so much more.
I also found that being an introvert was a great strength, but I wonder if that might be an article for another time.
Take care and rest.
"am fully aware I’m living a ‘meaningful and conscious lifestyle that’s in line with what (I) value most...’ Simply, it’s making time, taking time, and having time. Seriously, who gets to live like this?"
I love this, Prue. I had a very similar thought as I was swimming in my local lake yesterday morning. Sometimes I just stop and feel so grateful for the way of life we have chosen.
Thank you for sharing your slow journey.💛🙏🏻🌼
We really need to sit back and observe how we live our lives, don't we? Because on examination, it turns out there's much to be grateful for - mindfulness being the greatest, IMO. Mindfulness is the brake component on the engine of life and slows it down beautifully.
Thanks for reading, Alice.
Indeed. Just taking the moment, to appreciate the moment. Much of modern life seems to try and do all it can to take us away from even having that moment, though. There's the battle. And that's why it's so wonderful that many more people are talking about slow, and connecting, and reminding each other.🙏🏻
XXXX
I’m so thrilled that life is returning to ‘normal’ so rapidly! Better than we could have hoped. And as so often happens, appreciated more because of the interruption. I’m so glad that this slow time is in winter too, so that you’ll be well recovered by the time warmer weather returns. Enjoy! And thanks so much for sharing this with us. I’m definitely all for Slow Living. I love my little village. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care dear Prue.
Beth, you are so right about the timing - having the recuperation through winter has been a real bonus. Physically, I have been so slow that it's encouraged mindful examination of what my life is and how much better it can be when it's slower. It's a pattern I will follow forever.
Hope its not cold in your neck of the woods - we've had a wet, grey week but we can't decry it because its filled water holes, dampened the soil nicely (even in winter, our pasture is actually growing!) and filled domestic water supplies. The garden of course has laid back with its mouth wide open to the joy of it all!
A bitterly cold windy winter’s day today. The apparent temperature is not expected to get above freezing. Sleet and wind. But they’re predicting a top of 15 by week’s end, so lots to look forward to. Stay warm. 🤗🤗😘
Your writing is so soothing. I slow down with you. Glad you are gardening again and partaking in ballet! Minus the cramp.
Thank you.
I too am happier with quiet, although have been struggling with this since the loss of my beloved shadow aka 16yo cocker 4 weeks ago. It’s amazing how her presence made the air move even when she was sleeping. I’ve thrown myself into the garden this weekend purely to exhaust myself.
Joanne, I'm so sorry. Our dogs are the extra part of our souls. I love the description that their 'presence made the air move'.
Hopefully the garden has been some sort of salve, although perhaps tinged with sadness as the garden would have been your dog's special space as well. Take care...
As I recall, Covid brought you to the country house where you were able to take long, luxurious walks and soak up sun, sand, and solitude. Now, a major surgery has done something similar. Though I realize you've been nurturing this aspect of yourself for most of your days, I'm struck by how two exceptionally difficult situations have helped you further cultivate the slow, measured life. A reset, and a silver-lining of sorts, to bring focus, again, to what matters most. I'm so delighted to know you are back to being able to do what brings you the most joy! And thank you for the slow-living article. I particularly appreciated the links at the very end, TED talks, news sources and such. Wonderful resources! Welcome back, Prue. :)
It's true, the cultivation of the life I live, just as in a good garden, is considered and constant. As we age, I think we all learn what we do and don't want to foster.
TBH, its an astonishing thought that the surgery has been a silver lining, but you are right. Likewise my son's diagnosis last year. One sits back, gasps and then resets. Life is such a privilege, I think and it's a shame not to reset if one is able, so that one can enjoy the best that a simple life can offer. XXXX
It's so welcoming to me just to surround myself in what brings me great joy, and push off that which crumbles my spirit. Was thinking of my husband's slow healing in use of his hand and arm, could be December at this rate and how it's put us in a place in hibernation. Or do whatever the hell we want most days. Now reading this, its like testament that it's, all OK. We earned a right to just be. I feel you in your garden, the joy it brings you. How you happily jump on your bike and give back to your body adding energy and more healing. You sound so happy. And add a little Jimmy B helpful too. His sister owns a restaurant here and I've seen him live. Off for some strawberry rhubard pie and ice cream, a long afternoon of tears in our political arena today, tomorrow I'll be ready to celebrate what we've got next in maybe a woman at the helm! Always good to come here and refresh my spirit. I dove back into writing, we're making headway on new plan. I put link on my profile.
It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad. Jimmy Buffett
I can understand the drag that slow healing causes. The only way I can deal with it, is to accept I'm in a hiatus, and that there will be a new life with new realisations after all this is over.
I've been keeping a recovery journal and before the second surgery, my surgeon said I would only need Community Nursing for wound packing for a week and all would be well. In fact its been a month and its still an open wound taking its time to close with the help of regular packing by the nurses.
So the joy I take in doing my favourite things is very real.
And yes indeed: 'It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad.' Thanks CJ and thanks JB
This is absolutely glorious, Prue! Simply reading your words about a slower-paced life, I could feel myself relaxing—I think my heart rate slowed down too! I love that you’ve also brought slowing down into your fiction writing. It’s inspired me to be much more content with the snail’s pace of my current fiction project!
And congratulations on all your progress! Returned to your gardening, ballet and cycling is just tremendous. I’m so delighted for you 😊
Since I’m always on the lookout for interesting gardening tips…what are sheep’s crutchings? Is it the discarded material from the fleece?
Thanks for such a lovely reaction, Susan.
It's interesting isn't it that ancient fables talked about being slow and still being a winner - The Tortoise and The Hare? And yet we are still learning...
Crutchings are the wool we shear from the sheeps' behinds to keep their bottoms clean so they don't get flystrike.
Flystrike is when flies lay eggs on the messy poo and the maggots bury themselves in the sheeps' flesh and they die a slow death from blood poisoning. We crutch the sheep twice a year and so we have a good supply of pooey, daggy clumps of wool which are good for the garden (according to this year's Chelsea Flower Show). I'll let you know if it works as a fertile mulch. Time will tell.
XXXX
Yes, Tortoise-style living is the best!
That’s really interesting regarding raising sheep and crutchings, Prue! Thank you for explaining 😊 It makes sense that a manure-laden material like that would be beneficial for the garden—and if the Chelsea Flower Show says it’s good, it must be!
Oh Prue, I'm so happy you've rebounded so well and still with intention at your heart. That is so important. Sometimes we are so impatient for things to go back to 'normal' we forget what the true goals is. You haven't ever forgotten to take care of your need for the simple life and to enjoy every minute of it. What an inspiration!
You have reminded me to stop again, and take stock for just a minute to remember that. I get caught up in the hurly burly too easily.
My father once taught me when we were both working in a store that when the line at the cash register/till got longer and longer, to not try to move faster, but rather, to slow down. He said that way we wouldn't make mistakes and in the end that was faster. I also learned that if we projected calm, that greatly affected everyone else.
Slow and steady wins the race (or health and peace of mind!).
Thanks for an important reminder!
Here I am at 72, Sabrina and it's taken me that long to recalibrate to slow living. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the surgery that has been the final instrument of change.
One of the fears I had was that being an invalid, I would succumb to age and become 'that old woman'. It might be something I write about one day.
Thank you for your kind words. So appreciated.
I'm not that far behind you (age-wise), but quite a bit behind you in recalibration progress. I'll partially blame that on the younger man I live with who is still in his prime working years...
I absolutely hear and understand that not wanting to become an 'old-woman' fear. It's the main reason I have gotten more and more active as I get older. ❤️
Another truly delightful read, Prue - I'm so glad that you're gardening (SO MANY STEPS!!!!) and back to ballet. You're doing a great job not only of getting back to things but of taking care of yourself, too.
An unhurried life is the best kind. I'm with you!
Feeling good, even feeling groovy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QwxTXGSLWQ
Oh, I LOVED these two - I was mad for Simon & Garfunkel growing up! So happy to hear this again!