Me

2022. The year of finally getting the guts to do ME. Some may call it selfishness, but I call it a call to sanity from a job that was wearing me down mentally and physically for 29 years. I had stayed on longer than my last notice-given date due to some unfortunate things happening, just so the company could stay open, and others wouldn’t lose their jobs. I made it to September before I really gave notice that I couldn’t do it anymore. The stress was killing me. It is time to put myself ahead of everyone else, to strive for my happiness.

I’m a big believer in what’s meant to happen, will happen. Well, for Christmas I got the gift of Covid. Great gift, huh? I spent the next 2 weeks in bed resting somewhat. Sleeping, reading, writing, watching a little tv. I spring cleaned half the house, when my lungs allowed me to, that is. Coughing nonstop kept me in bed or at my desk most of the time. I worked on my job ideas for the year. Creative jobs, creating things. Investing in the stock markets, but I need money to invest first. Gig jobs. Gig jobs are jobs where you have an app on a smartphone that lets you pick and choose where to pick up things or a restaurant order and deliver it to the customer, so they don’t have to leave their home. It is an industry that took off when the COVID pandemic started, and it's still going strong as the pandemic drags on. And on. And on. No end in sight.

So, during this rest period, I said to myself, God gave me Covid to help me along with my plans for 2022. It will be a new start for me and my 2 children that are still in the home. I will be home more often for them. I downloaded the apps needed to do the gig jobs, spent countless hours watching YouTube videos from experienced gig workers, taking notes. Getting myself all motivated to go out and actually do them despite anxiety. The great draw is there is no set schedule to follow, I can make my own. I made myself a “job binder” of all the ways I can work from home. With notes to each one, as well as pros and cons. I am a creative soul, so if I can do something using my creativity, I’m happy.

By doing this type of job, I will also have time to get my home organized. I am a hoarder. Not the kind you see on television where the house is filthy, and you have to climb over things to get to a room. No, I just keep buying stuff. I absolutely love office supplies. I have to avoid the pen section when I go to stores, because I cannot help it, I LOVE PENS. I have clothes, blankets, hobby supplies, craft supplies, nail supplies (I do my own nails, it saves a lot of money from going to a salon), cleaning supplies… just to name a few. Two of my children tell me to throw stuff away or give it away. They don’t get it, that I can’t. The other child, well, he inherited this packrat gene from me. My things just need organized. That is one of my 2022 goals, to get my stuff all organized. Problem is, I also have adult A.D.D and severe depression. That really makes it hard to get motivated to get up and do anything and complete it as well. I truly believe getting my environment in order all organized, will help a lot with my daily mood as well.

Being able to get adequate rest is also key to being happy. I LOVE to sleep. My bed is my “happy place”. It is mine and mine alone. The only time I share my bed is with my youngest when he has one of his surgeries to correct cleft-palate lip. Because I am hearing impaired, having him in the same room with me helps us both. I have to have at least 5 pillows, and a few throw pillows, my weighted blanket is a must-have too. I sleep better with all of this, and the window open for fresh cold air to come in. I sit in bed and read on my tablet, play or write or watch television shows on my laptop, more than actually sleeping, often falling asleep. But it is how I get real rest.

I honestly believe the key to my happiness is to get organized, be successful at any financial endeavors I try, and to make a happier life for my children. And to be able to be as creative as I want…despite hoarding supplies. To not get myself into the situation again where it is all-consuming and causing stress and sleep issues. To get off medications because of that stress. No one should be put into that situation. But it is what it was. I am appreciative of God giving me the push towards changing my life, towards helping me achieve the ability to actually relax and be in a better mood. When I am able to step into my creative self, time flies. I will be relaxed and happy that I won’t notice time slipping by, won’t have to worry that I am going to be late for work.

2022. I hope it is the year of ME.