Who are you? What's your nature?

BlunderWoman

BlunderWoman

Senior Member
Never in my life was I ambitious. A competitive drive has always been absent from me. Every since I was small I've been more of a helper/nurturer type of person. It's who I am and where I feel my best. I've always been an excellent cook I'm craftsy & artistic. I like to do things for other people that make them happy. I like to feel useful, needed, wanted. The day came when my home became empty and there was no longer anyone to do for. My kids are grown and no one needs my help anymore. This last year I've had health problems , so I don't think I would have been much help to anyone anyway. I think I may have spoiled my chihuahua because she is the only little creature I have to spoil and fuss over. What I'm lacking now is that feeling of usefulness that makes me feel my day was well spent. I think I'm going to pour myself into gardening this year though I seem to only grow things for birds and bugs to eat. The connection with the soil feels healing to me. Makes me feel useful, even if it is serving no real purpose.
 

Since you are craftsy and artistic have you thought of taking some kind of art class? Something that you would like? I am the same kind of person as you, a nurturer and only have my dog and 2 birds to nurture. I don't think they are spoiled, though, just well taken care of and loved. I am thinking of taking a senior class in art when I turn 60 and can take classes free at the colleges here. I have done some drawing before and was even pretty good at it according to my peers. Best wishes to you!!
 
>I seem to only grow things for birds and bugs to eat<

Nothing wrong with that.

My previously mild interest in ornamental gardening is quickly becoming a passion. I like everything about it. Feeling accomplished when something is actually produced satisfies my ego. Learning and experimenting with the tricks for making things grow bigger and better satisfies my curiosity and the science geek in me. Enjoying the color and form of a garden that I planned, planted, and nurtured to fruition satisfies my creative side, and makes me feel all girly.
 

BB, tuition has been free for seniors everywhere I've lived. You still have to pay for books and fees, and the age varies to qualify as a senior.
 
Another place to look into is any large public library. Our town is small but they still have a bunch of senior activities. A few towns over is a huge library that has things happening every day for all ages. They have book clubs, writing classes, computer classes, wine and activity nights, authors and musicians that stop by, craft workshops.
 
My responses in blue

BlunderWoman said:
Never in my life was I ambitious. A competitive drive has always been absent from me.
Me too. I like to play games but never really cared much about winning. I played competition tennis for the fun of it and was always surprised when we had a win.

Every since I was small I've been more of a helper/nurturer type of person. It's who I am and where I feel my best.
By nature I am co-operative. At work I could work alone but preferred to work as part of a team. I rose to the position of Assistant Principal but always saw the role as being an assistant to the Principal and an enabler to the rest of the staff. I had no ambition to become principal myself.

I've always been an excellent cook I'm craftsy & artistic. I like to do things for other people that make them happy. I like to feel useful, needed, wanted.
Excellence in the kitchen and arts and crafts are not my strengths. In my early years I saw them as failings but since retirement I have spent more time developing these skills and now I run the café at our church market days, help out at the playgroups by shopping for and preparing the food including baking home made cakes for the children. I also take part in the knitting circle where we make knitted blankets, sweaters, hats and toys for distribution to the homeless in Sydney, to trauma victims and to orphans in Eastern Europe. My six grandchildren are all adults now and flexing their independence but I still feel useful and needed.

The day came when my home became empty and there was no longer anyone to do for. My kids are grown and no one needs my help anymore. This last year I've had health problems , so I don't think I would have been much help to anyone anyway.
You are selling yourself short. You have a computer and you are obviously intelligent. You would make an excellent secretary for a committee involved in charitable work. Attending meetings and taking minutes is a job that it is hard to get younger people to take on. I'm the secretary for our church council and the chairperson for a child care centre management committee. At 73 I don't volunteer for tasks that require physical strength or stamina but committee work is very satisfying and well within my skill set.

I think I may have spoiled my chihuahua because she is the only little creature I have to spoil and fuss over. What I'm lacking now is that feeling of usefulness that makes me feel my day was well spent. I think I'm going to pour myself into gardening this year though I seem to only grow things for birds and bugs to eat. The connection with the soil feels healing to me. Makes me feel useful, even if it is serving no real purpose.
Gardening is something else that I took to after retirement. At first I grew plants from cuttings to sell at market days to raise money. I learnt by trial and error and at times our backyard was filled with rows and rows of little pots. I've given that up now because it was becoming heavy work moving them all down to the church for sale. More recently I've discovered no dig gardening and have been growing a few plants for our table. Raised garden beds which don't require any soil to be turned over are excellent for gardening by people with bad backs.
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Who am I? I was a tomboy, loving games based on heroes of the movies and literature - Robin Hood, Tarzan, Superman and the wild west. I was never very much into dolls and in high school I became fascinated with science, especially chemistry. I felt a little out of step with others of my gender but my life was fairly typical for girls of my era - school, teachers college, marriage, children and grandchildren. It has been a happy life for the most part. My senior years are busy within the limits of my years and health.

I am very interested in politics, not just in Australia but elsewhere in the world which is why I pop up in the political threads on this forum. One can't be active in community life without realising that what the various levels of government are doing is vitally important to the nature and functioning of the societies in which we live.
 
I'm kinda like you Sharon, always like to help people, started at a young age making a few bucks babysitting for a neighbor in the next building who had two boys, and infant and a toddler.

People seemed drawn to me for advice, in the workplace over the years I helped folks out with both personal and work related issues, being a union steward and also a lead person for awhile. I don't have kids, but I do care for my furkids very well, they are truly part of the family.

When my inlaws were alive and one was bedridden, I was caregiver for several years in my home, along with my full time job. Hubby and I had opposing shifts at work, so one of us was always there for them. I've done some painting, drawing, pastels, etc., but never had the talent to do anything of quality...but I do enjoy those things.

Love working the soil with my hands and love nature, always had a veggie or flower garden going during the spring and summer months, even a strawberry patch at one time. But I don't do it anymore, if we go away on a camping trip or something, we don't want a garden to deal with, don't want to involve neighbors to care for something like that. Maybe if we're too old to go on vacations anymore, I''ll start something up again in the back yard.

I've always played group games with other kids, but never was the gotta win competitive type, was just there for the fun, and would easily hold back to allow a less athletic friend to take a win.
 
BlunderWoman said:
Never in my life was I ambitious. A competitive drive has always been absent from me. Every since I was small I've been more of a helper/nurturer type of person. It's who I am and where I feel my best. I've always been an excellent cook I'm craftsy & artistic. I like to do things for other people that make them happy. I like to feel useful, needed, wanted. The day came when my home became empty and there was no longer anyone to do for. My kids are grown and no one needs my help anymore. This last year I've had health problems , so I don't think I would have been much help to anyone anyway. I think I may have spoiled my chihuahua because she is the only little creature I have to spoil and fuss over. What I'm lacking now is that feeling of usefulness that makes me feel my day was well spent. I think I'm going to pour myself into gardening this year though I seem to only grow things for birds and bugs to eat. The connection with the soil feels healing to me. Makes me feel useful, even if it is serving no real purpose.
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Now I know what I like about you BW. I could be you! Just becoming a cook now and done with pets though. Had a cat once and we had a neurotic dog for the boys when they were growing up. It was great fun, but I have enough trouble caring for myself now. Gardening for the birds and bugs is purpose enough. I do miss the gardening. Used to hand feed the birds and chipmunks. Have fun and plant the "useless" idea under a rock while your out there. :sunshine:
 
Beebee8236 said:
Is that only where you live, Ruthanne? I'm 65 and didn't know or realize you could take classes for free. I am also a nurturer and that is what I did best. Not much need for that anymore, even the grandchildren are getting older especially the ones that live nearer to me.
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Yes, Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University both offer free classes for seniors at 60 but you have to pay for the books which can be kind of expensive. I'm not 60 yet but my brother has been taking classes for many years free.
 
I tend toward restlessness so I need to keep busy if my arthritis isn't too bad. I like to tend to my flower garden and I enjoy several different crafting arenas to include wire wrap jewelry, rock painting, photography and writing.
 
Thank you to everyone who gave me helpful tips. Also thank you to everyone who shared a little of who they are :)
 
I'm a very good responsible, loving single mom, nurturing, innovative, creative and hard working and very determined and practical when something needs doing. I ran my own office services business at one time and also worked in administration for many years.

I love animals and have had many cats and am a dedicated vegetarian since the early 70s. I'm also an artist who works with mixed media and textile design, having studied at local art colleges and university. Lived in northern India for 2 years studying eastern philosophy and yoga. Presently retired and living in Toronto while pursuing creative endeavors. My life has included a fair bit of travel and moving and has been a wonderful adventure, meeting incredible people and seeing amazing things.
 
I've never had ambition either. It's something I have actually thought about. I think for me, it was always an effort to put up with things and just survive. I'm 55 now and wondering about the future.
 
I dunno Philly. As your publicissed I advise against it. This ad is just not fresh. The theme has been done to death. It is so well, obvious, and and common. Not our demographic at all.
 

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