Got a haircut a couple days ago. What a refreshing feeling. I mean when you lket your hair and beard grow out to a point you look like a homeless ragamuffin, well even a little touch up is an improvement. I went with a nice 0-3 inch military style cut for old time sake and kept the beard, but had it trimmed down a lot. I felt like a new man.
It's funny how a small change like a haircut can change our outlook on things. My spirits have been raised, I felt better about myself. Things have just felt better all around since.
The last few months, small changes is what I've been trying to make. Walking twice a week, then three times a week, now five times. Although I am not supposed to yet, I occasionally get out and drive down the road a mile to the gas station and store to grab something. About once a week, I have been making it a point to meet with someone for coffee, breakfast or lunch to get away from the house. I plan to increase each of these things more and more over time in small increments.
Reading books is something that I am enjoying once again. Reconnecting with my old veterans group after months of being absent is something I did two days ago. Small incremental steps.
On the opposite side of the coin, un-scoial media has been reduced in my life. I started by deleting X, it was such a cesspool. The next thing I did was deleting all the negative Nancies on Farcebook I could at once. Then I limit my time to only a few minutes a day on it. The only reason I still keep FB is because it is how I stay in touch with old family members and Marine friends. I also deleted almost all my Discord servers which where a time suck.
Another thing that I am working on is eliminating the negative self talk. Spending many sleepless hours in my head allows me to think about some dumb shit I;ve done in my life. Some of it really dumb. That results in a lot of self loathing if I do not put it in check. There ismuch more in my life to be proud of that I have accomplished and that is what I have been trying to focus on during those times instead.
Right now it is about 3:15am and another sleepless night. That is okay though, because I have filled it with reading one of my books, putting out what I hope are postive vibes on Hive and thinking about who I want to hang with this week and what I want to get done. I can always nap later.
One of the biggest things I have overcome is that I no longer dwell much on my health, mental or physical, challenges. Nor do I care what people might think of me because of them.
In the end F&%K em, I got a new haircut!
Hope you all have a good week.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
-All content is mine unless otherwise annotated.
-Images are my own unless otherwise noted.
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-Page Dividers from The Terminal Discord.
These all sound like excellent steps and changes you’ve been making. ❤️
My husband has been on a huge reading kick lately of what he calls cozy books. Like one was about a Japanese convenience store by the sea (fiction) and had little stories about the people who shop there. He says they are relaxing without antagonistic plot lines. Just little fictionalized snippets of day to day life.
Unplugging… taking in everyday moments… getting outside. All excellent choices. 🩷
Thanks @dfinney. Good to see ya. That book sounds really neat. I am on a kick reading thrillers right now by a particular author. Today was rainy, I didn't get my usual walk in, but at least I can read and do some study and chores around the house. Tomorrow is supposed to be another rainy day, so I am getting the walking pad setup downstairs so it works for tomorrow. AAt least I'll get my walk in. hOpe you have been well.
I need to get one too come to think of it! It does feel good doesn't it? I do keep my beard trimmed now, every week or two I shorten up to look presentable!
Sorry to hear about those long sleepless nights. It's hard to let go of those thoughts at times, however, there are some new therapies that are showing some real promise to help reprogram the brain. Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) infused in a therapeutic environment has shown to help out a lot of us vets with those problems. I personally want to try it once I can get some assistance financially for it. Recreational use doesn't seem as effective.
Enjoy that haircut, and try to keep positive, I know it's easier said that done brother!
It does feel good and I plan to start getting one regularly when needed. No more homeless caveman look for me.
Yeah, I think having my Bailey girl helped and her no longer being here to talk to when I am awake threw me for a loop. Lilly sleeps with the wife, so she hasn't yet become my late night conversational companion yet. So, I have had to start disciplining myself to catch the negative self talk when it starts in my head and cut it off with positive thoughts and activities.
I have heard of the therapeutic research with mushrooms. I think the VA is even doing some experiments with it out east in BUffalo VA or something. I would give it a try if they bring it full circle.
Plan to stay positive brother, you do the same. In fact Im working on talking myself into the morning walk right now.
Haha I got a new haircut this week but feel miserable. Jamie cut it, just a blunt couple of cm from bottom. It looks good and saved me $50.
I think I'm going to call you Obi Wan Coinjoe now - you have made some super wise choices lately my friend! Life seems good.
$50, wow, thats some cash for a haircut. Then again, you ladies typically do have to pay a little more. You give me too much credit, by no means am I a wise one. I am just bumbling through life like most.
that's 50 AUD so less in US, but yes, it's a rip off especially if it's just a blunt cut eg trimming the ends. That's exactly what happened last time I went for a haircut - they don't even wash for that price. $47 for two cm cut off the end of my hair. Hence, handing the scissors to jamie, who has an excellent eye for things being straight or not. I figured his DIY skills could also transfer to cutting my ends straight.
its really good to feel when our hair changes when we get a haircut, and it makes us happy too when we like the result. also everything you think is over, it means it's past and don't embarrass yourself. it happened because we are being given a lesson to be learned. and i hope you sleep well today, goodnight and have a nice day.
That is righty. It is all lessons learned and in the past. For sure I will get a nap later, no worries. Thank you for stopping in and hope to see you around more.
You're welcome. 🤗
My wife takes the clippers to my hair once a week. No guard, just straight buzz cut. I know what you mean though about feeling human again after a good shave!
My wife was cutting mine on the occasion she got tired of looking at it. This time though she just wasn’t feeling up to it. Besides it was nice to just go to a barber.
I remember going to the barber as a kid. It was like a Saturday tradition with my dad.
It’s amazing how something as simple as a haircut can lift your spirits. I love how you’re focusing on small, positive changes, they really do make a big difference over time.
Yes it is amazing. I do think those small changes are the best way as they seem to stick better than trying to do everything all at once like I have before. Anyway, thanks for stopping in. Hope to see you around more.
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