I started this post several times only to erase the words when they hit the page. Today I’m ready to release the litany. Ready to tell you dear readers that I’ve reached BURNOUT and I need to learn to relax so I can heal my mind, body (especially my body) and soul.
Taming my Type-A personality
As many of you know or can tell, I’m a Type A person all the way. Why give 50 percent when you can go to 100? Or perhaps even 150 or 200 percent? That was my game plan throughout my 35+ corporate career.
Then just shy of 50, I lost my spouse and emptied my nest, when my daughter A and my son D left respectively for work and college. I was all alone and reinvented myself. I sold my house, retired early from my full-time job at 55, met my boyfriend L, bought my condo on the corner at the New Jersey shore. My fifties were filled with transitions, yet my game plan never slowed. If anything I seemed to speed up, filling all the crevices of free time.
It wasn’t enough to just practice yoga in retirement. Three years ago, I became an instructor and started to teach. My yoga teaching blossomed from private clients to subbing, to co-teaching monthly classes. I rarely turn down an opportunity. After all, that’s what a Type A person does.
I became a yoga teacher in my fifties
Navigating the current blogosphere
My blog became more expansive, with offers to travel around the world. Why wouldn’t I? Or better yet, why shouldn’t I? “Go Judi go,” I’d tell myself. “Say yes, you can do it, you got this!” And I did.
My little blog and I got caught up in the current blogosphere that lately feels like a BIG OCEAN WAVE. There are more social media outlets to publish to, more influencer marketing to aspire to, more email solicitations to answer to, more travel and events to consider. There’s podcasts and video to produce, Pinterest boards to post, Twitter chats to join, Instagram stories to tell, picture-perfect photographs to take, and better search responses to reach. More likes, more follows, more Google analytics numbers — the list is endless.
“Pick up the pace,” I’d tell myself. “You got this Judi! You used to work 50 – 60+ hours a week, you can do it! And I did.
My game plan kept working throughout my fifth decade. I was great at teaching mindfulness. “Live in the present, enjoy every moment,” I’d say and continue to say to my students, family and friends. The only person I could not teach it to was myself.
This poster was in my doctor’s office and says it all
Bouncing into burnout
My game plan worked for a really long time. In fact, it worked until about two years ago shortly before I turned 60 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Even then, after my first surgery and non-invasive diagnosis I bounced back and continued bouncing from one trip to another. They were all so good, so fulfilling. Why couldn’t I? Why shouldn’t I? And I did.
And I did. And I did. And I did.
Then this spring my body started to resist all the doing. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer again. It was non-invasive but a more significant tumor. It hit my root and sacral chakras, two of the energy centers of the body that help keep me grounded and my passions flowing. I sustained BCG immunotherapy treatments for six weeks in April/May and then three more weeks in July. While I managed through each set, the second set hit me harder both physically and mentally.
My bladder cancer diagnosis changed my life
In addition, I tried a new drug called Praluent for my high cholesterol. I was so hoping these injections would work to lower my LDL since I cannot tolerate statins. OMG – my totals shot all the way down. It was amazing! The only thing that wasn’t amazing was how this brand new drug’s side effects made me feel — myalgia, rib pain and stomach spasms added to my already menopausal sleepless nights.
To top it off, two weeks ago after many more sleepless nights with abdominal and rib pain, I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers and a small hiatal hernia. Wow-o-wow! This time the disease struck my solar plexus chakra – located right at my core!
Coupled with my own health issues, my mind and soul were hit hard when my sister-in-law passed away in July after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her death brought more reminders to cherish every moment with our loved ones and practice self-care.
“Judi, what are you doing to yourself?” I screamed. “You are bouncing right into a BIG BURNOUT!” I cried. “You have to slow down. You have to stop doing and start being.”
Instead of constantly doing I’m going to take relaxing walks this autumn
Reaching out for help
I reached out for help. And this time I know I have to listen. What is that famous quote Albert Einstein said: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”
“Take all the ‘shoulds’ out of your vocabulary,” said my new therapist Dr. A. “You need to slow down,” said my BFF L and my boyfriend L and my daughter A and my son D and everyone else in my life.
My strength will help me get through these challenging times
My new relaxation game plan for my life after 60
So dear readers, this is my new relaxation game plan for my life after 60. I’m going to take the ‘shoulds’ out of my vocabulary and add in daily relaxation. I’m putting the little back in my blog again and reminding myself of why I started blogging in the first place – because I like sharing what I learn with others.
I still plan to write, but it may or may not be weekly for now. And I still plan to share the rest of my Sicily travels and any other travels I take in the future. Sadly, I had to cancel my trip to Ireland with the Collette Travel team this month. Saying “no” was the right thing to do right now. I’ll see Ireland, just not this September.
Some of my posts may also take more of a wellness focus as I navigate my new relaxation game plan. So many women are under great stress and in a state of constant juggling with caregiving, work and health. I know this by the positive responses I’ve been receiving from those who commented on my recent Facebook posts:
5 Tips for Achieving Personal Growth During Challenging Times
Wellness Talk: How To Practice Mindful Aging (my last post)
That’s it. I feel like a load has been lifted now that I came out in the open. It’s tough keeping all this stress bottled up inside.
Thanks as always for your support. My gratitude and love for your readership is overflowing.
Judi
As for the need to slow down, I know exactly what you are going through. I don’t have cancer but have an auto inflammatory disease (AS). Basically severe inflammation of the pelvis and spine. A year of different meds only to experience side effects not pain relief.
I feel I have to focus on the one thing I need to accomplish for the day or i just exhausting myself and my body flares up. I’ve come to accept that but trust me, as a type A personality , it’s not my norm.
Sixties are quite different than the fifties but taking time to tune into what your body can and can’t handle each day is part of self care is most important.
Good luck battling this terrible cancer. I’m a jersey girl too I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Thanks Lynn for your support. So sorry to hear about your ASD. It’s not fun having these illnesses with constant pain. I’m doing the best I can right now and hope you are too.
Judi,
Cheers to you for realizing you need to make some changes in your life. After all “we don’t see what we don’t want to see.” This blogging and social media business is a hamster wheel – you never catch up and you never finish. Luckily, you discovered this before it’s too late. My best to you, and I look forward to reading your updates and discoveries. Pam
Pam, thanks for your kind words. One of my goals is to get off the ‘hamster wheel’ as you call it. Stay tuned.
Oh my goodness you have been through a lot! I had no idea. I think you are doing the right thing (although your Type A) is saying “I can still do all this”. Take care, slow down, sip and savor, and know you have made the perfect decision for you. xo Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. As a blogger, you know how fast paced life can get. Not traveling right now is the right thing to do. More trips will come in the future when my body is ready for them.
Oh Judy! I’m so sorry to here. I’m glad you have listened to your body crying out for you to relax and enjoy and hope that you are on the mend soon. I will say, I can certainly relate. I always felt my breast cancer was in many ways brought on by the stress of all my Type A personality work/family/be perfect/do everything lifestyle and try now, in my 60’s to really relax and enjoy things much more than I ever could before breast cancer. Sending hugs your way. xo
Thanks Claudia. I’m sure as a breast cancer survivor your life is forever changed. Cancer just makes you realize that it’s time to enjoy the now. I feel in some ways my stressful 35+ years of corporate life may have contributed to my health issues now. So I have to listen to my body and learn to relax.
Judi, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I myself am at a crossroads and trying to make a decision as to when to retire, how to proceed with my business and how to accept what to do with all the new found time if I decide to take time and destress my life. After being employed with a full time and part time job/business for the last 39 years, raising a family, caregiving for my parents, dealing with health issues, etc. It’s so hard to fathom how to put on the breaks. But we must and it’s so great to see its possible through your journey. Thanks so much. I guess the moral of the story is, You don’t have to do so much, to do so much for others. Thank you!
Diane, even in retirement, we Type A personalities cannot slow down. Take time to smell the roses and when you retire aim to slow down and enjoy each moment instead of filling the day so full you are exhausted at the end. It takes time to adjust to a new lifestyle after you’ve spent 39 years working in one mode. Good luck.
Good wishes for this positive mood forward in your life. I recently found your blog and am enjoying it very much. Can you tell me about Collette Tours or link me to posts from past blog entries please? How did you find the company? Is it a mix of both men and women as well as diff. ages? Were there any solo travelers? Thanks in advance.
Nancy, thanks for your support and welcome to my blog. Definitely will email you about Collette. I’ve only been on one trip with them before to Lapland. You can find my posts by searching Collette Travel or Lapland on my blog. I went on solo and there were several post 50 and post 60 solo female travelers on my trip. We even paired up and enjoyed each others company. So I highly recommend them. I’ve written for their blog as well – including a post about solo travel.
You are a rockess: a rock star and goddess all rolled into one. I am going to take a page from your playbook and start BEING more. Thank you for the honesty, the humor, the wisdom and the words, Judi.
Lisa, thanks for your praises and support. It’s hard to put a difficult subject out there.But I didn’t want to be an imposter. I need to show my vulnerability, especially during these difficult times.
Reader B said: “Beautifully said, Judy. You are brave and wise. Good luck with your testing.”
Reader L said: “Gutsy move.”