Senior Motivations

Ina

Ina

Well-known Member
Location
Harris County, NE of Houston, Tx.
I want to know what single seniors do to daily motivate themselves, and keep from getting depressed. I know that most of the seniors here are still married, or they have families to care for, but I also know that many do not.

I spent most of my life caring for a family, but I now find myself alone. I still have grandchildren, but most of them live far away in other state, and the two here are busy living their lives. I talk to one of them every few months.

I can't go get a job, not even a part time job. I would loose my disability and medicare, and I'm not physically able to work, so I spend most of my time at home. I do go see friends every once in a while, do the shopping, care for my pets, and if I clean this house anymore, it will disappear.

So what do you single seniors do to motivate yourself, and keep the blues a bay?


I'll welcome all recommendations.

:anyone:
 

Plan something to do every day....reading a book, tidying a cupboard, going out for coffee, whatever.
Try a jigsaw, a new tv programme, a new computer game.
find something you really like; growing lettuces....I don't know!
you will find things slowly...but each day gets a little easier, and you will find things to occupy your time, and mind.
i do tapestrys during the winter then make them into cushions, but as and when I want...listening to the radio, or a CD.
enjoy the sun..potter...but get up each morning saying, first I will feed the animals then enjoy my coffee....take it from there.
 
Even though our income isn't very much, we try to do something each day. Even if it means just going for coffee. We are close to the coast so we go there quite often. And then there is always something going on at our clubhouse.
 

I suggest the idea of a daily routine, especially a "huddle":peaceful::peaceful: (with Izzy) and a "kick-off":eek:nthego:...to get started. No helmet required!:rolleyes:
 
Ina said:
I want to know what single seniors do to daily motivate themselves, and keep from getting depressed. I know that most of the seniors here are still married, or they have families to care for, but I also know that many do not.

I spent most of my life caring for a family, but I now find myself alone. I still have grandchildren, but most of them live far away in other state, and the two here are busy living their lives. I talk to one of them every few months.

I can't go get a job, not even a part time job. I would loose my disability and medicare, and I'm not physically able to work, so I spend most of my time at home. I do go see friends every once in a while, do the shopping, care for my pets, and if I ckean this house anymore, it will disappear.

So what do you single seniors do to motivate yourself, and keep the blues a bay?


I'll welcome all recommendations.

:anyone:
Click to expand...

Hi Ina, I'm glad you are back with us and glad to read about your trip....I agree with Vivjen, to plan something everyday, try to start a project of some kind and work on it a little each day...It will soon be 5 years for me, and as you well know the first are the hardest but, it will get better.

I read a lot, I have a friend that I travel with, sometimes it is only short overnight trips but it is something to look forward to.
 
I agree it's about finding something daily with meaning. Volunteering can be a wonderful experience for seniors. In fact there are match-up volunteer sites to help you on your way. If you think of a cause you feel strongly about there are probably opportunities for you to help.
 
Ina, how about volunteering for a year in a foreign country with something like VSO Canada (they aren't in US) which is similar to the Peace Corps. You won't be bored or lonely and it will be rewarding.

Oops sorry Ina. Missed the part about you being unable to work.
 
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I'm too busy to get depressed!

Biggest motivation I need is to get out of bed, and after about half an hour of lying there I need a cup of tea, and if I don't get it it there ain't nobody else.

Every day is a new adventure waiting waiting to be explored.

Remember, there are no such things as strangers, just friends who you have not yet met.
 
Obsess on something, I am trying to die an above average chess player and time is running out, but a good martini keeps me from getting depressed if I have a bad day on the board...
 
My great uncle was a great chess player and problem solver....google him when you get bored.....CS Kipping
 
Thanks, I'll check him out . There a lot of good chess players battling for top honors from around the world and the Internet allows us to observe them with great analysis of their games on sites like YouTube...
 
Something that helps get me out of bed is a good cup of tea and putting some thought into breakfast...usually something whole grainy and on the sweet side with Equal. My favorite drink is Thai tea. The traditional way of serving it is adding sweetened condensed or evaporated milk and sugar. To cut calories I use skim milk and sugar substitute, same taste exactly.
 
Ina said:
I want to know what single seniors do to daily motivate themselves, and keep from getting depressed. I know that most of the seniors here are still married, or they have families to care for, but I also know that many do not.

I spent most of my life caring for a family, but I now find myself alone. I still have grandchildren, but most of them live far away in other state, and the two here are busy living their lives. I talk to one of them every few months.

I can't go get a job, not even a part time job. I would loose my disability and medicare, and I'm not physically able to work, so I spend most of my time at home. I do go see friends every once in a while, do the shopping, care for my pets, and if I clean this house anymore, it will disappear.
Hi from central Tejas, Ina! I, too, was in the mess of losing disability if I worked. It has now become an annuity through the Arizona Bar, so I could work. Now, however, I have a chronic disease along with being an exceedingly Olde Phartess, so work isn't an option.

Bummer, eh? :)

Vivjen has some good thoughts.
"Plan something to do every day....reading a book, tidying a cupboard, going out for coffee, whatever.
Try a jigsaw, a new tv programme, a new computer game.
find something you really like; growing lettuces....I don't know!
you will find things slowly...but each day gets a little easier, and you will find things to occupy your time, and mind.
i do tapestrys during the winter then make them into cushions, but as and when I want...listening to the radio, or a CD.
enjoy the sun..potter...but get up each morning saying, first I will feed the animals then enjoy my coffee....take it from there."

My days have their specific chores. And there's a bit of gardening. Vivjen does tapestries ... needlepoint, Vivjen? I am, at the moment working on a needlepoint rug [ I am slightly daft and continually choose humongous projects that take months to finish ] and maybe working on a BIG project is a good idea?

But Vivjen's last sentence is the best ... "get up each morning saying first I will feed the animals then enjoy my coffee". Exactly what I do except I have only one animal, a sweet and loving and gentle and very demanding senior kitty. [ her breakfast must be done immediately upon my arising -- well, after my initial trip to the jon/loo/potty/what-have-you. ;)]
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Depression is insidious and it can be very debilitating. It crept up on me inch by inch until it was hard to rise up to do anything. Don't let that happen. Inside your heart are things that you love, and no matter what physical limitations you face, you can find someway to give them expression; even if you just write about them.
 
mORNING, iNA! i THOUGHT i WOULD CHEER YOU UP, BY TYPING WITH THE "CAPS LOCK", KEY DOWN......bad idea!:rolleyes: Remember that trains can be sidetracked, but people are meant to ride on the main road! I like the over-used story of the little train that could! The tracks are clear ahead, and when you wake up, put the kettle on and build up enough steam, to head on down the tracks!:eek:nthego:
 
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Thank you everyone. I see so many good ideas. I do get up in the mornings, and feed my two furbabies, make my coffee, and have thr house shiny by 10:am.
Then I'm at odds with what to do with the rest of the day. Before I lost my family, I couldn't find enough time to get everything done. It seemed like there were so many in need of something. There were no days when there wasn't something to work or fight for.
Now all I have is time.
I keep feeling guilty because, I'm not busy, and I'm not fixing other's problem. I guess I need to learn how to live for myself. It just feels selfish. I know that is ridiculous, but never in my life, even as a child, have I not taken care of others.
 
You are getting there, Ina....selfishness is the way forward!
not really; but now is the time to put yourself first.
that is going to be really hard for you....so practise!
 
Ina, depression hits many of us when our lives change dramatically. When we are young, we often have fewer physical constraints so it can be less difficult to go forward. As we age that changes, less energy also makes bouncing back a challenge. Different people have different coping strategies, some go the medication and/or counseling route, others find hobbies,

volunteering, or major projects valuable. I think one of the most valuable tools for fighting depression is talking about it. Longtime caregivers are especially prone to depression. We tend to see ourselves primarily as helpers of other people. When that is gone it usually leaves a huge void, this is something I have personally experienced. It threw me for a loop. It took over


two years to learn to reframe my thinking--to embrace myself as a valuable person whose purpose and value were not totally dependent on serving others first. It has been a slow journey with some setbacks, but I truly believe I have grown as a human

being, and by discovering and caring for my needs, I have so much more to contribute. I have discovered that sometimes we give by what we do, other times by who we are. Both are equally valuable. In my life, my struggles to deal with loss have given me an empathy toward others I would not otherwise have had. You may find that also.
 
Could you do something with a hobby? Like photography. This can be exciting because the world looks different every single day and there's always someone new to meet and talk to. Are you artistic? Drawing doesn't cost much and you can really lose yourself in art. Pets can help you meet people and keep you busy. Especially if you walk dogs.
I still work, but am considering creating a wellness webpage, so now all my spare moments are going into that idea and how to make it a success. When you find the right something you'll know it. It will make your spirit soar.
 
Ina, I feel like you are dealing with grief. Maybe a grief counselor, or reading material from a local church, on steps for handling grief.
 
I don't have any inspiring advice. I just know that it takes a long, long time to get over losing people we love. Maybe forever. But it does get better with time. Loving your fur babies will help. They love you and they need you. It's nice to be needed. {{{{{Ina}}}}}
 

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