wellness poster

Baby boomer blogger JudiBoomergirlI 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.

teaching yoga

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.

wellness poster

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.

bladder cancer symbol

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.”

autumn trees

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.

angel card

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 

I’m So Excited for 40th Grade

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