Notes from the mid-Life Crisis

These are just a few of the thoughts I've had recently, in no particular order, because that's pretty much the way I think...

• I like living in the country. I like the silence and the darkness.
• It's funny, but apart from the deer, I see exactly the same species here, as I saw at home. I prefer being here.
• I'm not enjoying the commute. 
• I try to leave the house at 7.30. I am usually not successful. 
• If I leave 5 minutes late, it adds another 15 minutes to my journey. If I leave at 8 am, I still arrive at work at 9 am. Go figure.
• My intention is to have that extra half an hour in bed tomorrow.
• It's been a challenge to figure out how to continue to shop cheaply. The nearest big shop is a Co-op, which adds at least another £10.00 to my weekly shop. 
• Calling into Lidl, my discount supermarket of choice, after work requires a lot of will power. I'm usually so knackered after my working day.
• However, if I do that, the traffic has a chance to clear a bit. 
• 
  

• I called round the flat. I picked up a few bits. Locked up and left.
• I don't miss it.
• I don't regret leaving there.
• Technically, I'm living in a bungalow.
• That's like living in a flat on the ground. But with lots more space than I had before.
• I definitely like it. I didn't think I would like living in a bungalow. But I do. 
• I'm beginning to think past my year here. Wondering where I'd like to go next. 
• I'm not sure I'll be ready to move back into Norwich. 
• However, as I don't know what I'll be feeling like in 11 months time, I'm keeping an open mind about things. 
• It's good to have options. 
• 
  

• I ran the other day. 
• It was so good to move again.
• My back has hated me since. It seems I have to work on building up the strength in my muscles before I can go back to running.
• I look like a bright lemon knob when I run.
• Don't care. I don't want to be flattened running on country roads.
• Besides, it's not like I look wonderful when I run anyway.
• I have started on my 5-a-day diet again. Once I've got that sorted, I'll start upping it. My aim is for 9-a-day. You know I like a challenge.
• I am also trying to cut down sugar.
• I had an iced donut at work today. It tasted magnificent, but it left me feeling very weird for hours after. 
• Fatigue is still dogging my heels. 
• This weekend, I am starting my fitness routines again.
• My aim is to start off very gently and build up to my previous levels.
• I also want to get into meditating regularly. I'm still very sporadic with my meditation practice.

I took a quiz in The Guardian this week. It turns out that I'm neither happy, nor unhappy. Neutral, describes my results. I felt that was pretty accurate. I've lost that awful trapped/claustrophobic feeling. I wake up every morning and feel blessed. I am truly grateful for the life I lead. I've been very lucky.