Like all of you, I have been home for two weeks now. It looks like the schools will be closed beyond the April 15th timeline that was originally set. I have had the opportunity to do things I haven’t been able to do or experience since I was diagnosed with my multitude of immune disorders. Here are a few things I have learned about myself in the last two weeks that make disability or retirement not so scary for me now.
I was able to clean the apartment. It took 5 days. My husband even helped a little with the vacuum. I used this cleaning activity as a different form of exercise. I did the old fashioned type of mopping on my hands and knees with a rag.
I slept each night without the assistance of any sleep aids or pain killers. In fact, I was able to keep the cpap machine on for an extra hour a night during these last two weeks. I only fell asleep a little later than when I work, sleeping an additional hour. The dog wakes me up.
I was still motivated to do yoga in the morning. I even threw in circuit training once a week.
I used less to no cough syrup during the week. I did not have severe coughing attacks everyday that I normally experience. Less coughing meant less body aches.
My arthritis was not as severe. I even finished a big knitting project. Less pain, less pain killers, less water retention from the pain killers.
I was able to assist with one of my favorite charities. Designing spreadsheets and work flow processes. I haven’t had the time to that before for that charity.
I have gone down to 2 meals a day. A large breakfast and a late lunch or early dinner that was medium size was all that I needed. Less activity, less food needed. I was able to maintain my weight.
I did get a little stir crazy around day 13 when I hadn’t left the apartment complex in a long time. I alleviated it with doing an extra set of circuit training.
What does this have to do with retirement or disability? Honestly, quite a bit. It has been an anxiety of mine to be forced to leave work because of my health in the future. I know now that I will only be little bored. I have enough projects, friends and volunteer opportunities to keep me busy even if I am unable to go about business outside.
I am grateful for God allowing me to experience this with minimal worry about finances. I am also grateful that God has allowed me to help the charity keeping my secretarial skills honed. It will be interesting to see how God guides me through the next set of weeks to come. Keep reading the Bible. It provides peace of mind during this time of unknown economic and health crisis.