Changing focus and purposely doing less

[Soror]

subtitled- A place for fellow slackers to hang out :)

 

As I do often I'm musing and will probably only sound half-way coherent but it is a good exercise for me to put it out there. 

 

I've struggled with yo-yoing energy for the last 4 years due to Hashi's. I've embraced tidal schooling as I have to embrace the good times but accept that there will be bad ones as well. After my last crash I reflected that I didn't want to add more work in when I felt better(I also decided the same with housework), we would add in more but it wouldn't be school. There is just an endless number of educational things we can do but I decided that we were doing enough and I felt that other things were more important.

 

So, what have I added back in?

-Being outside, walking but plenty of just being out there. It is one of my highest priorities but when I don't feel well I don't have the energy for it and when I'm trying to squeeze stuff in it is easy to cut. I decided that would be no more. No more rushing back to get started with school or stressing about it we would go every day after breakfast.

-Making it to the library- strewing works well for my son(who devours everything I bring home) and my oldest daughter is starting to become a reader too. I'm making heavy use of ILL and reserve and scheduling in time to go- it can be such a PITA but it is an enrichment to all our lives.

-My daughter has one whole day a week for sewing classes.

-More quiet time- reading time for me or a nap if I need it and books for them. 

-free time just to do whatever- playing, hobbies, reading etc

-working together- cooking together-we work as a team keeping the place going

 

We have our basics but those honestly don't take that long and lots of time leftover for the rest. My son has become crazy responsible starting off on his own with his checklist doing what he can and my daughter was already that way. I then work with them on whatever they need help with. The days have a good flow to them- generally the kids start off before breakfast working. Then we eat, go outside for however long and then come back and finish. The lists feel doable for the kids so they are motivated. I feel like it is easy to get focused on the academic part but that wasn't my sole motivation for schooling, it was time to do all the other stuff, I just sometimes forget it.

Edited January 29, 2016 by soror

[Another Lynn]

Soror,

I feel more relaxed just reading your post!  I wouldn't call it a place for slackers, rather a place for those who streamline.  It's good to be picky about what we commit ourselves to (even a mere mental commitment can be draining), and it's good to prioritize. 

 

Whether we look at February as survival month or time to plan for next year, either way your post is very timely!

[Soror]

Soror,

I feel more relaxed just reading your post!  I wouldn't call it a place for slackers, rather a place for those who streamline.  It's good to be picky about what we commit ourselves to (even a mere mental commitment can be draining), and it's good to prioritize. 

 

Whether we look at February as survival month or time to plan for next year, either way your post is very timely!

I hesitated to put the slacker part in, I know plenty(especially here) would think we are slackers but I feel content with what we are doing. 

 

Streamlining yes. It can be easy to keep adding on but I wanted to get to a place of contentment and peace with doing less as well. I'm all about minimalism but have struggled with how that looks for school, without a side of guilt.

 

I'm not thinking about just surviving- but thriving- changing perception and not trying to schedule everything out perfectly but accepting that the extras for them might be different. I got to thinking why would the extras they pick not be good enough- why should I pick them? Why not let them guide that instead of just leaving them their extra time for these pursuits. Not that I can't suggest or strew if needed mind you but when my plans get in the way of their own plans then I see I'm planning too much.

[Ellie]

subtitled- A place for fellow slackers to hang out :)

 

As I do often I'm musing and will probably only sound half-way coherent but it is a good exercise for me to put it out there. 

 

I've struggled with yo-yoing energy for the last 4 years due to Hashi's.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

 

As a fellow stewer, I embrace your philosophy.  :001_cool:

 

As a fellow hashi's sufferer, I feel your pain. I am feeling much better now, finally, mostly because I'm on four grains of NatureThroid. What a difference that has made in my life! I'm doing the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), too, and have been since July, but I believe it's the four grains of NatureThroid that has made the difference.  Better living through science. :-)

[Soror]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

 

As a fellow stewer, I embrace your philosophy.  :001_cool:

 

As a fellow hashi's sufferer, I feel your pain. I am feeling much better now, finally, mostly because I'm on four grains of NatureThroid. What a difference that has made in my life! I'm doing the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), too, and have been since July, but I believe it's the four grains of NatureThroid that has made the difference.  Better living through science. :-)

Ha, better living through science! I did get a dosage increase in Dec, which helped. I started AIP when I was diagnosed. As of late I've also upped my iron and started iodine- fingers crossed I'm feeling better than I have in ages. Here's hoping that it continues to work, but I've had these good periods before. I've just decided now my extra energy would be put towards hiking the wonderful woods, working on Aerial Silks, adventuring the yard and reading books and taking lazy afternoons. If I get more energy I can do more hiking and Silks :)

[Holly]

I like your post!  We are pretty laid back (for the WTM boards anyway).  Outside time is something I struggle with, but I know we need it.  We are in the northern US and it's so much work to get everyone bundled up and out the door, but I notice a difference in how I feel when I'm outside on a regular basis.  As a family we've taken up fishing and ice fishing.  DH usually fishes and we sometimes bring along a canoe or sleds/snowboards.  I don't always feel up to getting everyone ready and out the door, but in the end I am always glad we made the effort.  We have weekly time at the library (right after piano lessons).  Lately I've been finding two of my DC palying chess in the back of the library...I just adore this!  

 

I've given myself permission to start school at 10:00.  That gives us plenty of time for chores, a decent breakfast, and getting ready for the day.  We usually don't finish school before lunch, but I feel more relaxed knowing that we've accomplished something around the house, which makes me a better teacher.

 

I've spent years cutting out busywork and combining everyone as much as possible.  This has made my day much easier.  We formally started Loop Scheduling this year, which has lead to even less stress.  Two things I've added to our schedule are a weekly movie time (we usually watch a science or history video) and a board game time.  Another change is adding in more art.  I've really let this slide over the last year or two, but it's such a highlight to their day.  

[maize]

I love what you wrote soror.

[Sahamamama]

Soror --

 

As I summarize your post...

 

• Time outdoors
• Library
• Sewing classes
• Quiet time
• Free time
• Keeping the place going, working together
• We have our basics
• They start off on their own (initiative, responsibility, maturity)
• I work with them (connection, assistance, involvement)
• Good flow, good motivation

 

... this sounds perfect to me. Everyone is engaged in learning and growing, you do what you can, they do what they can, progress is being made.

 

For years I had Hashimoto's hypothyroiditis (then had my thyroid out, now on Armour). It can be rough, I know. You do the best you can with what you have. I have had to "make peace" with living life at a somewhat slower pace than other people seem to do, but I still think it is ultimately healthier and more soul-enriching for us all. I think that sometimes having to slow down teaches us as mothers to keep our finger on the family pulse a bit better -- Is everyone rested? Have we had exercise and healthy meals? Do we need to snuggle? Are we connected to each other? Is the home joyful and peaceful? Do we each have free time?

 

This week I have watched my girls playing for hours upon hours in the snow (we got 33 inches in two days). They were tromping, digging, sledding, making snow angels, catching snowflakes on their tongues. ;) And I had this moment, hard to put into words, of thinking, "Less is truly more."

 

Child + Snow = Bliss

Child + Book + Free Time = Bliss

Child + Sewing Project + Free Time = Bliss

 

And so on. ;)

[Ellie]

Ha, better living through science! I did get a dosage increase in Dec, which helped. I started AIP when I was diagnosed. As of late I've also upped my iron and started iodine- fingers crossed I'm feeling better than I have in ages. Here's hoping that it continues to work, but I've had these good periods before. I've just decided now my extra energy would be put towards hiking the wonderful woods, working on Aerial Silks, adventuring the yard and reading books and taking lazy afternoons. If I get more energy I can do more hiking and Silks :)

 

One of the mistakes that doctors and patients make is being on the same too-low dosage for too long. It's recommended that you increase every 10 days to two weeks until you feel better.

 

Also, you might want to be careful with the iodine. It seems to help people who are hypothyroid but is problematic for people with Hashi's.

[Soror]

One of the mistakes that doctors and patients make is being on the same too-low dosage for too long. It's recommended that you increase every 10 days to two weeks until you feel better.

 

Also, you might want to be careful with the iodine. It seems to help people who are hypothyroid but is problematic for people with Hashi's.

Yes, I definitely stayed too low too long at first, felt like I was going hyper when I upped it though, made it past that though. I've thoroughly researched the iodine and Hashi's I know it is controversial. I think the side of the research falls on us Hashi's patients needing more not less though and after avoiding it I felt compelled by the evidence to try it.

 

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/05/iodine-and-hashimotos-thyroiditis-part-i/

[Sahamamama]

One of the mistakes that doctors and patients make is being on the same too-low dosage for too long. It's recommended that you increase every 10 days to two weeks until you feel better.

 

Also, you might want to be careful with the iodine. It seems to help people who are hypothyroid but is problematic for people with Hashi's.

 

:iagree: And I have a theory about winter (nothing I've proven or seen any science about, though). But, just going experientially here, I think that if we are in a low-light, cold winter climate, there just seems to be something about that which triggers a need for more of something. I wonder if the cold demands more from our bodies, or changes the way we metabolize or... I don't know.

 

It could be light, obviously. But we've had a warmer-than-usual winter here (northeast US), with sunshine in December, and I was out in it as much as possible. My Armour dose was higher this winter, and that has made such a difference. No Happy Light. My endo wanted me to try it, but I convinced him that if we did both (higher dose, light therapy), we wouldn't know if I felt better from the one or the other.

 

I never have problems in the summer, unless he puts my dose too low in the spring. Then by summertime, I'm plummeting and foggy. As it is now, I agree with Ellie -- that the trend to "stay as low as possible" can have serious impact on how long we drag along, KWIM?

 

No, I don't want a stroke. I just want to remember my name, and I think there should be a dose that allows for that. I am blessed with an endo who listens to me, though. Not many seem to do that. He switched me from Synthroid to Armour and that has made the world of difference.

 

HTH. Hang in there, Soror.

 

[Soror]

:iagree: And I have a theory about winter (nothing I've proven or seen any science about, though). But, just going experientially here, I think that if we are in a low-light, cold winter climate, there just seems to be something about that which triggers a need for more of something. I wonder if the cold demands more from our bodies, or changes the way we metabolize or... I don't know.

Winter seems to be tougher for me too and I have theories as well. For one I push too much in the fall, my body can only take so much and I tend to push it to the limit. I did better this year and didn't crash as hard(last Jan I thought I might die my thyroid went so low- I told my dh to let them know I had Hashi's if I passed out and didn't wake up). So, this fall I guarded my time and energy more closely and it certainly helped but next year I will pull back even more. I also think there is something to do with being outside-whatever the factor I'm not sure but that is a big impetus for me on making it a habit- it is a horrible cycle though- don't feel good don't go outside, don't go outside don't feel good. I also start to feel good in the summer and stop being so strict with the diet and supplements and they really do help and evidently I need them more in the winter. I started out on Naturethroid, I see an integrative physician, who is decent. You think once you get a diagnosis you will be treated and that will be that but unfortunately Hashi's like a lot of other things isn't so cut and dried.

[Ellie]

 

 

No, I don't want a stroke. I just want to remember my name, and I think there should be a dose that allows for that. I am blessed with an endo who listens to me, though. Not many seem to do that. He switched me from Synthroid to Armour and that has made the world of difference.

 

 

 

I believe I have Hashi's now, instead of merely hypothyroid, because I was undermedicated for over 20 years while my doctors only checked TSH instead of the actual thyroid hormones. :cursing:

[Soror]

Soror --

 

As I summarize your post...

 

 

... this sounds perfect to me. Everyone is engaged in learning and growing, you do what you can, they do what they can, progress is being made.

 

For years I had Hashimoto's hypothyroiditis (then had my thyroid out, now on Armour). It can be rough, I know. You do the best you can with what you have. I have had to "make peace" with living life at a somewhat slower pace than other people seem to do, but I still think it is ultimately healthier and more soul-enriching for us all. I think that sometimes having to slow down teaches us as mothers to keep our finger on the family pulse a bit better -- Is everyone rested? Have we had exercise and healthy meals? Do we need to snuggle? Are we connected to each other? Is the home joyful and peaceful? Do we each have free time?

 

 

I've often said the blessing of getting sick was the bolded, it made me slow down. I lost sight at times of that on my path to get better, despite my best intentions. It is hard to know how much to add back- finding and keeping that balance. I posted this fall about my worries about keeping it going when I crashed again but my realization is that it is ok- I don't have to, our days may look different but that isn't bad, just different. I also don't have to be exactly as I was before, to be happy and well. As I said another thing I decided not to add back was extra cleaning, I'm ok with my house being dirtier.

I love what you wrote soror.

 

Thank you :)

I like your post!  We are pretty laid back (for the WTM boards anyway).  Outside time is something I struggle with, but I know we need it.  We are in the northern US and it's so much work to get everyone bundled up and out the door, but I notice a difference in how I feel when I'm outside on a regular basis.  As a family we've taken up fishing and ice fishing.  DH usually fishes and we sometimes bring along a canoe or sleds/snowboards.  I don't always feel up to getting everyone ready and out the door, but in the end I am always glad we made the effort.  We have weekly time at the library (right after piano lessons).  Lately I've been finding two of my DC palying chess in the back of the library...I just adore this!  

 

I've given myself permission to start school at 10:00.  That gives us plenty of time for chores, a decent breakfast, and getting ready for the day.  We usually don't finish school before lunch, but I feel more relaxed knowing that we've accomplished something around the house, which makes me a better teacher.

 

I've spent years cutting out busywork and combining everyone as much as possible.  This has made my day much easier.  We formally started Loop Scheduling this year, which has lead to even less stress.  Two things I've added to our schedule are a weekly movie time (we usually watch a science or history video) and a board game time.  Another change is adding in more art.  I've really let this slide over the last year or two, but it's such a highlight to their day.  

Yes, cutting out busy work, it seems to creep in there, huh?

 

We live in the Midwest, so it doesn't get super cold, depending on your perspective. You know it annoyed me though that as much as I loved it outside parts of the year we were unable to enjoy it. I read stories about elementary schools in Europe that spent all day outside and then a story this year about a school in the US(a New England State I believe) that had 1 full day outside a week and I kept thinking how wonderful. It kept coming up to me however that I should get off my butt and figure out how to do that instead of just dreaming about it. So, I decided we would just spend the time bundling up and investing in gear for the really cold days as I found it and could afford it(I got my own snow pants at Goodwill last weekend so now I don't have to borrow dh's hunting gear). I'm sure there are places where it really isn't that feasible but I thought surely there is a way to make it work here *most* every day. The coldest we've been out in is about 10. Of course you build up a tolerance to it as well, after the days in the teens with the wind blowing ferociously in our face the kids were ready to wade in the creek in the 40s- (I was glad not to meet anyone on our walk back home that day- while I was struggling to get the kids to keep their shoes on).

[barnwife]

 

 

I've given myself permission to start school at 10:00.  That gives us plenty of time for chores, a decent breakfast, and getting ready for the day.  We usually don't finish school before lunch, but I feel more relaxed knowing that we've accomplished something around the house, which makes me a better teacher.

 

 

 

So many good thoughts in the OP.

 

I also wanted to say thanks for this, Holly.

 

We only recently began formal phonics and math with our oldest (with the younger 2 persistently tagging along). I admire posters who say they start school right after breakfast. I just can't seem to manage it.

 

Once breakfast is done, I need to clean the kitchen in order to feel okay with doing anything else. I also have to deal with laundry (we can only do laundry from 9 pm - 9 am plus anytime on weekends). 

 

Somewhere in there, or immediately after, the kids are usually begging me to read something. But then they need some wiggle time. 

 

So it always seems to be late morning by the time I declare it "School Time". 

 

But this makes me realize that what we are doing is working for us and so I shouldn't change a thing!

 

As for everything else, I don't plan it. I loosely attempt to make sure they get the following at least weekly: poetry time, art time, play-doh time, lego time, Tinker toy time, puzzle time, library storytime. But...I don't stress if it doesn't happen.

 

Outdoor time happens anytime the weather cooperates.

 

I guess this is my way of trying to come to acceptance of "less is more".