I question myself daily how and what I need to change next.
I was definitely feeling happier when I was exercising more. Now with 2 kids and work I have less time for myself. In addition to less of "me" time, the challenge with kids is that you don't always have time to take off and travel, and moving is more complicated. They have school , you have to coordinate school holidays with your schedule and of course the price of everything increases when school is off
Traveling alone is not an option. My anxiety levels are at all time high and I am having a hard time going to work, let alone taking a flight away . Unfortunately, I believe I am living in fear . I don't want to blame the media, but I know part of my struggles is the negativity of the times we live in. Not too long I compared our life with Albania during the communist propaganda. I believe what we are experiencing is the same style of propaganda, and I have yet to figure out how to get out of this.
So for now, I need to figure out how to eliminate the noises surrounding me, media, breaking news or any news about evil human beings .
My solution ( as temporary as it can be) is add more exercise (yoga and running), and add more travel. For now travel to few family friendly places that kids enjoy and I can easily plan . Later who knows...
Wow Elda, thank you from the heart for sharing your areas of struggles and vulnerability. I had no idea that this was going on. We have been away from the US for so long that I have forgotten what a challenging reality it is.
You are right, the media is so powerful; people in Albania still have the habit of keeping the TV with the news on 24/7, and mostly it's horrible and scary things that are being reported, therefore they are continuously living in fear and mistrust because that's what the brain is receiving. But there is also beautiful things happening in the world, all the time...we forget that because that's not on the news.
It must be very challenging to tune out all of this noise and news when you live in the middle of Washington DC, but anything is possible. Heck, you have managed to be a vegan for decades - that's is waaaay harder hehehe...so you can definitely do this! My suggestion is to make time for exercise, no matter what. Just like we don't make excuses for eating, drinking and loving ;) And yes, short trips in nature, that will always calm the nerves. It doesn't have to be fancy or far. Do you remember the little forest we went to outside DC and hiked in our dresses? haha...You definitely have time to take your family often to places like that and recharge.
Sending you a big big fuzzy warm hug! Everything will be alright!