I needed this today. I retired in December from a 36 year career in nursing in the public sector. I’ve spent the last four months, prone on the couch, eating chips and comfort watching old favourites. May seems to be a good month to crawl out of my burnout and return to my yoga practice and healthy eating that I once did.
Thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful reflection. I, too, am deeply touched by the idea of having lived like a renter rather than an owner in my body. I also really appreciate your realization that your upset about the abandoned, dilapidated house was really a projection of your own issues. More and more I realize that is true for me as well. I’m learning that whenever I’m upset about something or someone “out there”, I need to check in to find where and how that same thing is alive in me. While I kinda hate that it’s true, I always find it. However, once I get over the initial resistance, I usually feel the softening of compassion, for my original target and for myself, making way for the possibility of growth and change. Thank you for sharing yourself and shining your light in a way that helps others see.
What a beautiful piece of writing. I love the metaphor linking home, body, and spirt -- also a great way to look at our aging selves and how we care for ourselves.
I so look forward to late Spring when I can sit on my patio amidst my plant containers and small garden beds. The trees now shield the neighbors' houses and I feel like I am in a mini park with just the rabbits, squirrels and birds. Friends are a short walk away and retirement is better than I expected. I love reading about your country adventures, but I loved your fashion days, too.
I responded to your last post, what next, but I’m on a fixed budget and couldn’t subscribe to substack. I have since my divorce 2 years ago gained back 10 of the 20 pounds i lost during the year of divorce proceedings. I live in a room inside a new barn on my son’s property with a nice screened porch for added living space. I enjoy coffee (which i never drank before) with trees, nature, very wooded area every morning. Life now is totally different from living in the suburban area i moved from in the last 40 years. I enjoy your writing and it helps me as i read this i too need to get back to yoga, taking care of my mental and physical health! My twin had a massive heart attack last week at our age of 78 ( 79 next month) which has been a shock and a wake up call for us both. I have followed you for a long time and your such an inspiration to me!🌹
getting more physically fit, which I never had the leisure to do in my working life, is one of the perqs of retirement. since i have no natural inclination for it (unless it's dancing with music) i pay (rather a lot) to 2 women who make me lift weights and do Pilates. the payoff is more energy, and finally after 4 months of it, LOOSE PANTS! Make me get the giggles.
The architectural shapes of your house, to me, are both beautiful and interesting.
I miss gardening so much. I imagine sitting next to you on that bench and breathing in the beauty of the plants. As for roses, in one of my rentals, there were twelve rose bushes of different varieties. I read somewhere that clipping off the leaves with five points on them would cause more blooming. I would spend hours in a day clipping those leaves. Sure enough there were more blooms and plenty of the regular leaves to help show off the beauty of the blossoms.
Now, at 78, I'm in a 500 square foot one bedroom apartment in a gated community with a center courtyard already planted in. My patio has a small spot to plant in. The rest of my plants are in pots. I just can't get interested in any of it because it's just not the same as being in a nice house with a yard to work in.
I'm certain your anger will slip quietly away and so will mine. Then the approach to the ends of our stories will take us out of emotion and into peaceful nonexistence. I've already made plans for what I want done with my ashes: for years I've considered New Orleans the happiest place on earth. I want dixieland music performer Kermit Ruffins to take my urn on a march through the French Quarter with a crowd of people marching The Second Line behind the brass band, first playing a dirge and then celebrating my death with the music that really blows away the sadness of death. Lastly I want my urn set on a counter at the home of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band where my ashes will vibrate with their wonderful playing.
Thank you, Ms. Slater, for always writing so beautifully. It's poetic in many ways while sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Lovely piece. I can relate as I left NYC three years ago after residing there almost all of my 70 years. I am also a social worker, love reading theory, etc still working as a therapist at age 74. Recently discovered the peace and meditation quality of birdsong where I live. Yes I want to become a focused resident of my own body and tend to it as I learn more each day. You inspire.
A fall while walking 1.5 years ago keeps me from the yoga practice I once had but there is chair yoga. Time to open that chapter. Thank you!
I'm in the same boat with yoga since having knee surgeries that left me unable to kneel or sit on the floor really. I guess chair yoga is the only alternative.
Just opened my patio for the season and will enjoy having my coffee outside, too. I have Vinca in pots around the patio and in front of the house I have peach colored Geraniums and multi colored Vinca planted. I enjoyed reading your narrative and can relate to your process of dealing with the emotions that seem to change from time to time.
Lovely piece--has me thinking about not being a renter in my own body.
Thank you, Lyn, for sharing. Every time I read your words I find a little more insight into myself and my journey.
I needed this today. I retired in December from a 36 year career in nursing in the public sector. I’ve spent the last four months, prone on the couch, eating chips and comfort watching old favourites. May seems to be a good month to crawl out of my burnout and return to my yoga practice and healthy eating that I once did.
Thank you, Lyn.
Thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful reflection. I, too, am deeply touched by the idea of having lived like a renter rather than an owner in my body. I also really appreciate your realization that your upset about the abandoned, dilapidated house was really a projection of your own issues. More and more I realize that is true for me as well. I’m learning that whenever I’m upset about something or someone “out there”, I need to check in to find where and how that same thing is alive in me. While I kinda hate that it’s true, I always find it. However, once I get over the initial resistance, I usually feel the softening of compassion, for my original target and for myself, making way for the possibility of growth and change. Thank you for sharing yourself and shining your light in a way that helps others see.
“I’ve treated my body and mind like I’ve been a renter.” I have taken this on board and will try to proceed as an owner, not a short termer.
Totally agree and this makes me see health in a whole new light.
What a beautiful piece of writing. I love the metaphor linking home, body, and spirt -- also a great way to look at our aging selves and how we care for ourselves.
Wonderful. And thank you for the reminder of the need for self reflection and self care.
I so look forward to late Spring when I can sit on my patio amidst my plant containers and small garden beds. The trees now shield the neighbors' houses and I feel like I am in a mini park with just the rabbits, squirrels and birds. Friends are a short walk away and retirement is better than I expected. I love reading about your country adventures, but I loved your fashion days, too.
I responded to your last post, what next, but I’m on a fixed budget and couldn’t subscribe to substack. I have since my divorce 2 years ago gained back 10 of the 20 pounds i lost during the year of divorce proceedings. I live in a room inside a new barn on my son’s property with a nice screened porch for added living space. I enjoy coffee (which i never drank before) with trees, nature, very wooded area every morning. Life now is totally different from living in the suburban area i moved from in the last 40 years. I enjoy your writing and it helps me as i read this i too need to get back to yoga, taking care of my mental and physical health! My twin had a massive heart attack last week at our age of 78 ( 79 next month) which has been a shock and a wake up call for us both. I have followed you for a long time and your such an inspiration to me!🌹
getting more physically fit, which I never had the leisure to do in my working life, is one of the perqs of retirement. since i have no natural inclination for it (unless it's dancing with music) i pay (rather a lot) to 2 women who make me lift weights and do Pilates. the payoff is more energy, and finally after 4 months of it, LOOSE PANTS! Make me get the giggles.
"As within, so without." Thanks for reminding me! Good piece!
The architectural shapes of your house, to me, are both beautiful and interesting.
I miss gardening so much. I imagine sitting next to you on that bench and breathing in the beauty of the plants. As for roses, in one of my rentals, there were twelve rose bushes of different varieties. I read somewhere that clipping off the leaves with five points on them would cause more blooming. I would spend hours in a day clipping those leaves. Sure enough there were more blooms and plenty of the regular leaves to help show off the beauty of the blossoms.
Now, at 78, I'm in a 500 square foot one bedroom apartment in a gated community with a center courtyard already planted in. My patio has a small spot to plant in. The rest of my plants are in pots. I just can't get interested in any of it because it's just not the same as being in a nice house with a yard to work in.
I'm certain your anger will slip quietly away and so will mine. Then the approach to the ends of our stories will take us out of emotion and into peaceful nonexistence. I've already made plans for what I want done with my ashes: for years I've considered New Orleans the happiest place on earth. I want dixieland music performer Kermit Ruffins to take my urn on a march through the French Quarter with a crowd of people marching The Second Line behind the brass band, first playing a dirge and then celebrating my death with the music that really blows away the sadness of death. Lastly I want my urn set on a counter at the home of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band where my ashes will vibrate with their wonderful playing.
Thank you, Ms. Slater, for always writing so beautifully. It's poetic in many ways while sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Lovely piece. I can relate as I left NYC three years ago after residing there almost all of my 70 years. I am also a social worker, love reading theory, etc still working as a therapist at age 74. Recently discovered the peace and meditation quality of birdsong where I live. Yes I want to become a focused resident of my own body and tend to it as I learn more each day. You inspire.
A fall while walking 1.5 years ago keeps me from the yoga practice I once had but there is chair yoga. Time to open that chapter. Thank you!
I'm in the same boat with yoga since having knee surgeries that left me unable to kneel or sit on the floor really. I guess chair yoga is the only alternative.
Just opened my patio for the season and will enjoy having my coffee outside, too. I have Vinca in pots around the patio and in front of the house I have peach colored Geraniums and multi colored Vinca planted. I enjoyed reading your narrative and can relate to your process of dealing with the emotions that seem to change from time to time.
You have inspired me to have my morning coffee outside listening to the birds, and staying away from my phone. I love your writing.
I love how you described being a renter of your own body - I too need to become a homeowner!