89 - PEOPLE ARE LEAVING
Many Snowbirds are leaving – a few every day, so things are getting quieter. At least until the Mexican Easter Holiday hordes arrive to enjoy our wonderful beaches. Many own casas here that they rent out to Americans and Canadians during the time they won’t be using them. Many rent other condos and villas for a couple of weeks away from the demands upon them in the cities inland.
I have about 5 weeks left of my 6 months in Paradise. As always, I question how it went by so fast. Being so busy almost every day certainly has something to do with it. Boredom seems to slow time down, but that isn’t an answer for me. I have enjoyed every day; met new people, made some new friends. Had stimulating conversations. Had tons of laughs. Ate out more than I ever have – some great meals, some rather ordinary – but I didn’t have to cook as I always had enough food to take home for the next day’s lunch. Bonus!!
Last week I mentioned how I felt cushioned against much of the chaos in the world, like I was living in a cocoon. Well, this week was different.
I felt like my cocoon was being invaded by upsetting, negative things I was reading or watching on Face Book, X, media sources, podcasts and video clips. I was being totally sucked in by an overwhelming obsession to spend many hours each day in these pursuits. I felt like a junkie, trying to quit but still looking for the next fix. It was a struggle that I felt I was losing.
“Stop” I shouted to myself. “You are addicted to this stuff! Step back! You don’t need to respond to every post that ticks you off!”
At that point, a relatively new friend asked me to send her a copy of the speech I made to the “Hat Ladies” luncheon a month or two ago. When I pulled it up on my Mac, before forwarding it to her, I reread it.
“Positivity = happiness! You have choices to achieve happiness. Get rid of the negativity in your life. Surround yourself with positive people, etc., etc.”.
Even though the words came from myself, they resonated with me. I needed to take my own advice. Negativity drains you. With the dreadful things happening around the world these days, it’s too easy to slip into depression if you allow it to.
I am now limiting myself to two hours a day on my computer to keep up with the day’s happenings. Events that affect me, not things I can do nothing about, but some that I need to be aware of.
The remainder of the day will be spent doing other things. Reading, painting (my desire to paint is returning – hallelujah!!) Picking up my studies of Spanish that I dropped two months ago. Doing jigsaw puzzles. Getting off the couch. Going for a beach walk, swimming, chatting for a minute - or five or ten - with people you run into. Meeting a friend for coffee or lunch. Joining acquaintances, friends and strangers at Happy Hour where I can count on getting smiles and hugs of welcome when I’m at loose ends. Writing and videoing friends and relatives who are far away.
That’s how I’m concentrating on my treatment from the computer addiction that began creeping up on me - and it’s working. I’m feeling more energized, more engaged – more positive again!
- The picture below is of a painting I did for a friend, when my passion for painting was my obsession.
