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hi @Gazza75 hope your working day is going well. I can't believe you work full time, so many work hours.
It's good you're getting your car done, you drive long distances to the farm so you gotta be safe. It's always a pain in the butt but just one of those things.
It's lovely to hear you're having a few thoughts about the future and possible travel. I'm really excited for you! I think that's a really good sign that you're doing so well with your recovery and the withdrawl process. Are you thinking about anywhere in particular yet or is it just a general feeling? I went on a road trip in the US years ago, around San Fran, the sequoias and Yosemite, Utah & Salt Lake City.
I've got loads of shifts for next week now so am just resting & enjoying my freedom. Yeah, we've rescheduled the winery trip for a few weeks away so that's nice, fingers crossed I don't get a shift on that day. It's tricky giving a whole month's notice in advance of my availability to my employer. I want to be busy but don't tend to have social plans in place until the week before, plus the pay is better on the weekends so that's attractive.
How did all you meetings go, & your appointment with your psychologist?
That would be cool if your ankle is better enough to hike. I might hike tomorrow as my weekend is full with social stuff, will try to take some pics.
The resilience training sounds interesting. Anything inspiring jump out at you? I dont' think you'll falter, I think you were just overwhelmed with multiple, extremely difficult stresses last year that most people couldn't cope with. You've learned a lot and have made an amazing recovery & are super high functioning and doing all the right things every day to keep improving in the future. I think you can't see the forest for the trees cos you're in your life but from where I'm sitting you're making excellent progress.
I totally get the results thing. I need instant gratification! I think thats why I hike, cos I feel like I'm getting somewhere, covering distance, whereas working out I'm in the one spot. I'm sure your health is improving - it's hard to see cardio health and lean muscle development, you need tests for that.
Hope the rest of your arvo behaves itself & if you head off to the gym good on you, every bit helps. 
Hi @Gazza75 ,
yay you've made it to the end of the working week & it's the weekend!
Fishing is a wonderful passion, my uncle spoke so fondly of it & was a nature lover. You get to be at one with a water-way, get into a meditative state, patiently wait for a bite and then to cap it all off you get to eat something fresh & delicious! Very Zen, or mindful? I would never have the attention span for it. That's a terrific stepping stone to travel for you, though I'm sure you'd enjoy lots of things about travel. I just love the food & ordering food & drinks in a new language is a thrill. I thought it was the bees knees to order dos cervezas in Spain.
I just got my monthly roster from my 2nd employer and it's woefully empty. I'm shocked at how few shifts I've got, especially since I got some positive feedback from my boss there. Its 4 branches are not far from home so I was prioritising it in my schedule but boy, not much. I'm glad the other employer has lots of shifts on offer, I'll prioritise them in future even tho it's a lot of travel. Yeah, I'm across 2 branches for my shifts next week, I like both. Thanks for taking an interst in my job, I hope it doesn't sound too banal. I really appreciate your support. Yes the kids are cute! We're supposed to tell them, "walking not running," but I can't bring myself to do it, I find their excitement infectious, I feel excited cos they're excited.
Well done on your big meeting. Not easy, good job. Give yourself a pat on the back for that one. My sister does a lot of conference calls, she's a corporate person like you, I've never done it. I'm sure your manager was well impressed with your work.
That's a bit crap your psychologist wasn't in good form, it sh*ts me when I have to remind my pdoc of my abusive mother yet again. They get paid a high hourly rate so should be firing but I guess everyone has their low moments. It's terrific that you're going & have the next appointment scheduled soon. I know men are taught it's bad to express & talk about emotions (I don't actually 'get it' but appreciate it on an intellectual level) and that can compound mental & physicial health issues & neglect. So it's terribly important and healthy that you have someone you can confide in and trust with your inner most thoughts. Let's hope the next appointment is more forward-looking and helpful.
I had a great hike, will post on the fitness thread.
Yes, definitely tag me on your resilience/goals thread, I'd love to read.
That's awesome you're biking too at the gym. Great warm up, go Gazza! With the email do you mean the gym can tell you how far you've cycled? good motivation info, I like to know distances.
Found that quote for you. Here comes the library nerd in me..."Progress. Although it's important to measure your progress, try not to focus too much on the scales. Your body can be changing significantly yet your weight can stay the same. This is because you're gaining lean muscle and losing fat. Taking photos and looking at your overall shape is a better way to see your progress". Just one opinion but hopefully of some use to you.
have a good night & thanks heaps for your message, it cheers me up & helps me feel strong & relevant
