Taking off the Wonder Woman Outfit

 This post will not be what most will expect. I want to talk to those of you who have taken on a mindset role of Wonder Woman. So many  are strong women mentally and physically --well me not so much physically anymore! LOL :) but I consider myself a strong woman. We tend to try hard to live up to everyone's expectations and demands. The problem with that is we take on too much. Too much for our minds and bodies to endure. We become overwhelmed and worn out in mind, body and spirit. Then we crash! You see, just because a woman is strong doesn't mean she can do anything and EVERYTHING. Nor should she be expected to do it all. Everyone has limitations. 

Just because Wonder Woman could stop flying bullets, keep up with Superman and apprehend all the evil bad guys and never need rest all while looking perfect and sexy doesn't mean all women can do it. Yet so many of us try. I see you! I see you trying to do it all. To be the great mom, wonderful wife, awesome grandma, terrific teacher, best sister, perfect nurse, great care giver, best _____ (fill in the blank) and feeling like you fail on a regular basis. Or, if you are not failing, you're running yourself ragged and into a frenzy while running on empty and on the verge of a total break down. By the way, Wonder Woman is a character in a comic book and TV show. She's not real! 

STOP! Take off your Wonder Woman outfit and take a bubble bath, slip into some comfy, lazing about clothes and relax and take time to clear your mind. Or do something you enjoy today. Do not think about all you "need to do" or "should be doing". Remind yourself that you can't pour from an empty pitcher. You must go to the faucet and replenish so that you have something to pour. Figure out where and what your faucet is. LEARN THE WORD "NO"! Saying "No" is the first step to setting boundaries for yourself. Stop trying to please those who can't be pleased. Stop caring about opinions of those, who in the grand scheme of things, do not matter especially when they don't care about you and your needs. The world will not stop because you stop! Trust me, those around you that are draining your energy and making demands will figure out how to do for themselves. They will! LIFE IS WAY TOO SHORT to live in survival mode where joy doesn't exist or smiles and laughter are too few and far between. People treat you the way that you allow them to treat you...ALWAYS. Respect yourself enough to demand better treatment. An easy step is to set boundaries. Boundaries shows others that you are not Wonder Woman and that you can't do anything and everything. Saying "No" will start the boundary process. Oh, those around you will not like it one bit. They are used to getting their way. They are used to you meeting every demand and expectation. But, stepping back from responsibilities dumped on you and saying "No" once in awhile will force them to do for themselves or figure out how to get things accomplished on their own. It may even help them realize how much they have taken you for granted. 

I'm going to share a picture to encourage you ...

 We can take off this Wonder Woman outfit and be ourselves, in our own clothes and watch some of the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed and anxiousness disappear. The outfit will still fit when we're ready to put it back on and take on the world again. 

Hope this encourages someone. If it does, please share! The more shares, the more people might read and follow my blog. Thanks. Have a blessed day!

The Time Bomb of Menopause

 

I say time bomb because for me that's how it seems to have happened. The hormones which began ticking at age 15 have been tick-tocking away all these years until BOOM! Two weeks after turning 55, almost like a bomb going off, the hot flashes began. Don't get me wrong, other symptoms have come on more slowly and were more sporadic but it was like the hot flashes hit over night! As someone who has always been cold, these outbreaks of hot and sweats are a new experience. Finally! I am now having my husband complain of being cold as I am the one turning the furnace down! 

The beginning of "Senior" life is indeed a new ball game. I say "senior" because at restaurants you often get a Senior Discount once you reach 55. 

From what I hear hot flashes are only one symptom of this time bomb. There may also be mood swings, hair loss, and hair growth in new places such as the upper lip, painful intercourse, joint pain and memory issues and yes, weight gain, especially in the waist area. Any or all of these can seemingly hit over night. This is our reward for living to this point?! This is the trade off for the gained experience, knowledge and wisdom?! I'm not sure I like it one bit! I think this little scenario may have to be one of my "God Questions" when I get to heaven...."Why did you do that?" lol