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Starting Over

Feb 10

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Yesterday, I embarked on my 47th trip around the sun. Never before have I felt so lucky to start another year-long journey, especially with my parents and James along for the ride.
 
My 2020 birthday marked the last time the four of us enjoyed “normal” indoor-dining celebratory meals. No masks. No social distancing between tables. No temperature checks or hand sanitizer stations set up at restaurant entrances. That all seems like a lifetime ago.
 
I don’t need to go through all the ways New York City, the rest of the state and the rest of the country have changed since this time last year. The most devastating change, of course, being the tragic loss of family members and friends to COVID and other maladies.
 
While all the positive changes we long for won’t happen overnight, I do embrace a stronger feeling of hope as the vaccination process continues. I will patiently wait my turn while the elderly and most vulnerable get their shots. And I’ll continue wearing my masks, washing my hands, keeping my distance and holding off on socializing with the people I miss oh so desperately a little while longer.
 
So as I start another year, I’m a bit more optimistic those get-togethers with family and friends aren’t quite as far off as they were a few months ago. I also find some comfort when I realize we hang on to the daylight a little longer each day as we crawl toward spring. I look forward to getting back to Central Park for the walks and runs that gave my body and soul a powerful shot of positivity. Winter won’t last forever. Nor will the dismal days we’ve muddled through for all these months.
 
I wrap up with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent the loveliest birthday wishes via text, phone, email or social media. The cheer from near and far certainly made me feel a little less isolated that the typical days here in New York City. Wishing you and yours good health and safety as we trudge along through 2021, and here’s to more days ahead filled with more opportunities to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
 
 
 

Posted in Nostalgia

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A Quiet Start

Feb 1

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Wow. Welcome, February! So, how is everyone handling 2021 so far?

Let me start with a heartfelt thank you to all of you who’ve taken the time to to check on me recently. It seems my silence here and on social media has raised some concern. Overall, I’m fine. And I realize I’m beyond blessed to be able to say the same for James, Mom and Dad. However, as someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder during “normal” years, let’s just say this season has been particularly rough. I just haven’t had much motivation to do the things I usually enjoy. It’s been a struggle to get on the treadmill and break a sweat, and that’s definitely a shift from my usual self. (The fact I’m nursing an ongoing lower back / sacroiliac joint issue isn’t helping.) Then there’s writing. I’ve avoided that outlet mostly because I fear many of my musings have been darker than the ones I’m used to sharing. As for my unintentional hiatus from social media, I guess it was my way of shielding myself from the negativity and hate-filled posts and tweets that filled too many feeds for my liking.

So what have I been doing? I’ve remained beyond busy at work as part of the Test & Trace Corps. And there’s no let-up in sight. My other focus is trying to find more time for self-care. The newest addition to that routine is acupuncture. In addition to helping me find relief for the ongoing SI joint dysfunction that’s been plaguing me for years, it’s helping with my overall sense of well-being. I leave those sessions less anxious and more rested. My only regret is that I didn’t give it a try years ago.

As we kick off a new month, I garner new optimism for what lies ahead. (Even in the midst of a monster snow storm.) I hope all the beloved elderly people in my life can get vaccinated as soon as possible. I pray for the continued safety of all my family and friends. I look forward to the slow but steady arrival of more daylight in the days, weeks and months ahead. And I know my mood will eventually lighten just as it has through winters passed. In the meantime, I thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to days filled with more sunshine and more opportunities to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!

 

Posted in Fitness, Health

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