Restlessness

Blog Post created by AnnetteMM on Apr 5, 2018

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 28

I've listed my house for sale and I'm actively looking for an apartment in the next county, which means I'm effectively in limbo right now. Downsizing means a lot of sorting and discarding and reorganizing. Whenever I'm not actively engaged in that, the restlessness takes over. Some days I just don't feel like sorting and discarding and reorganizing and maybe the weather is crappy and I don't go outside and I just pace and pace and pace. I've got 100 days quit, but the restlessness can become so overwhelming I think about buying cigarettes. So while I pace and pace and pace I wait for the day to end so I can lie in bed, watch something boring on TV and drift off. These are not good days. The good days are when I can calm myself by crocheting. It used to be that I'd work on and off on a blanket for about a year. In 100 days I've made 5!

Outcomes

28 Comments

kristen-9.7.15 Apr 5, 2018 10:18 AM
Congrats on 100 days! That's great! Keep it up and don't you dare go buy cigarettes!!!
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 3 Likes3
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ kristen-9.7.15 on Apr 5, 2018 10:34 AM
  Oh I won't!
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
  Actions
JACKIE1-25-15 Apr 5, 2018 10:38 AM
It is wonderful that you are able to crochet blankets. I bet they make lovely gifts. It would be nice if we could see pictures to share your work. As long as you are not smoking everything is fine. Grab the peace that comes with quitting. Breathe and meditate. You have come a very long way. Be proud. I am at 1165 and sometimes I still pace, get a little antsy because of boredom due to weather etc. but I am not going to smoke over THAT!!! I know it will pass.
We will rise. No longer a slave to nicotine.
Still I Rise Onward. Upward....The freedom journey continues
Like • Show 4 Likes4
Actions
- desiree465 @ JACKIE1-25-15 on Apr 5, 2018 10:45 AM
  Wow over a thousand days! I can't wait to get that far.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
desiree465 Apr 5, 2018 10:44 AM
100 days is amazing annette. Don't you dare loose your quit! Why aren't you crocheting instead of pacing these days? Are you getting bored making blankets? I've been getting bored with my scrap booking. I think I've made over a hundred embellishments over the last 2 months. Maybe we need to switch it up. Is there another similar hobby you enjoy? Or maybe a different type of crocheting you can try? Around my way hospitals have programs where people knit baby hats for premature babies and donate them. Maybe if your efforts went to a good cause you'd be more invested in them and the pacing would stop.
I wish this weather would make up its mind and let the sun out because that's what's been bothering me the most these days. I'm ready for summer and all the outdoor fun that comes with it!
Like • Show 3 Likes3
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ desiree465 on Apr 5, 2018 11:40 AM
  I still love to crochet and am calmed by it, it's just that there are times I can't settle down until I pace for awhile.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
KTQeeyore Apr 5, 2018 10:44 AM
100 days is great Annette! You hang in there! I promise you it will get so much better!
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions
elvan Apr 5, 2018 10:46 AM
NO CIGARETTES, you are a member in good standing of the TRIPLE DIGIT CLUB! Sorting and packing are HORRIBLE things to do, can you break it down into small segments? Perhaps donate some stuff you don't think you will need? Exercise...something somewhat intense that gets your heart pounding. Deep breaths...exhale slowly.

Hang on, it is going to get better
.Ellen
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ elvan on Apr 5, 2018 11:39 AM
  Ellen, I'm one of those weirdos who actually LIKE sorting and discarding things. I just get tired and bored. But I'm okay!
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
  Actions
  - kristen-9.7.15 @ AnnetteMM on Apr 5, 2018 11:44 AM
    I LOVE sorting, organizing, discarding, cleaning. They love me at work because when i get in my cleaning moods, the cabinets get cleaned and organized and junk thrown out. I love it!
    Like • Show 1 Like1
    Actions
    - AnnetteMM @ kristen-9.7.15 on Apr 5, 2018 11:45 AM
      Comrade LOL! Soul sister!
      Like • Show 1 Like1
      Actions
Madyzsgocka Apr 5, 2018 10:56 AM
100 days is AWESOME, with one downfall: You are still on the slippery slope, and by what you are saying here, not yet out of no man's land, but like we say, and it's really really true or we wouldn't say it, it gets better, much better. This may be old school, but if you are getting a bit bored with the blankets, (tho the baby hats sounds like a great idea, and I have a friend in NYC that does that), what about puzzles? Do you have a corner where you can set up a 500 or 1000 piece puzzle table? How bout' adult coloring books. I have friends that do that. When I'm really restless I like to walk, but I understand about the weather. Have a mall near-by? you could go there and walk and window shop....just a few suggestions. Hang in there kiddo, this will pass.
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 4 Likes4
Actions
- desiree465 @ Madyzsgocka on Apr 5, 2018 11:03 AM
  ooooo coloring books, maybe I'll switch to that hobby too. I have a bunch of them that I just forgot about.
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
  Actions
- AnnetteMM @ Madyzsgocka on Apr 5, 2018 12:35 PM
  I literally have nothing nearby...one of the reasons I'm moving.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Apr 5, 2018 11:06 AM
Congratulations, You've made it this far. No reason to go back now.
This is all part of it. You need to find something new you like and allow yourself an hour a day to break up that restlessness between packing.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Youngatheart.7.4.12 Apr 5, 2018 11:11 AM
100 days is AWESOME!
What you need is a plan for those restless days. You have gotten some good suggestions above. Active exercise, even indoors, can boost dopamine. Even marching in place or a few jumping jacks will do. When you start to pace, think (or yell) STOP IT! and do something else. YOU are still in control.
Here's a tip from a recent book (the title escapes me) to help with the reduction of your stuff. The idea is that you look at something (a framed photo, clothing, a nick knack) and if it doesn't bring you joy, get rid of it...period. We keep things for lots of the wrong reasons: it was a great price, maybe we'll be that size again, it has always sat there, a friend gave it to me........let all of that go! I have started in on it at my house, and so far have redone two rooms. I made a pink flamingo bathroom into a forest one, and my cozy place from seabirds to an English cottage theme. It brings me joy now, to walk into both, and they are less cluttered and more serene. It didn't take much $$$ for the transformations. I hadn't realized how sick of the decor I had become until it was gone!!!! My closet is only half full - I was keeping lots of stuff I never wore! My coat closet is the same! My china closets are almost empty. It's freeing!!!!
Don't pace - that is a recipe for not good things!!!
Start now to plan your new space. Think about what will bring you joy in the new spaces!
SPRING is coming.................eventually!
Nancy
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ Youngatheart.7.4.12 on Apr 5, 2018 11:42 AM
  I know what book you're talking about, and believe me I'm a minimalist! And I actually love reorganizing things. I know, I'm a strange one.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Apr 5, 2018 11:17 AM
Congratulations on your awesome entrance into the TDC yay for 100 precious Smokefree days and counting WTG, you're doing great stacking up your glorious DOF, hopefully you'll figure out something to do that different than your daily routine that'll help keep the restlessness at bay congrats again on your splendiferous quit journey....
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
GyorgyiM Apr 5, 2018 12:53 PM
ONE HUNDRED DAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP !!
NOW.....lets get serious....
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ GyorgyiM on Apr 5, 2018 2:02 PM
  That's profound.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 @ AnnetteMM on Apr 5, 2018 2:11 PM
    Better Restlessness Than Rattlesnakes.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
    Actions
    - AnnetteMM @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Apr 5, 2018 2:14 PM
      No arguing with that wisdom.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
AnnetteMM Apr 5, 2018 2:04 PM
I feel a lot better today. I think it's a combination of two things: Talking about it (here), and a nice big hot bowl of oatmeal.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- elvan @ AnnetteMM on Apr 5, 2018 2:38 PM
  Ahhhhh, oatmeal, always makes me feel comforted!
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
  Actions
crazymama_Lori Apr 5, 2018 3:31 PM
go on you tube and teach yourself how to do tunisian crochet. I did that in May almost 2 years ago when I was 4 months quit because I too was restless. It's a cross between crochet and knitting and you can create some really cool things. I also taught myself cro-hooking. that's reversible blankets, etc. Kim Guzman has some incredible videos out there. You just need to stimulate that brain matter.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
freeneasy Apr 5, 2018 4:38 PM
Congrats and welcome to the TDC!
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
MichelleDiane Apr 5, 2018 8:31 PM
Congratulations Annette. I am so proud of you. We pretty much started together and look at you...triple digits. Sorry you are having it tough right now, but once you have a new apartment that will really take away smoking memories. Hold tight.
-Michelle
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- AnnetteMM @ MichelleDiane on Apr 6, 2018 10:07 AM
  Thanks, Michelle! And most apartment complexes seem to be smoke free these days, so there's that, too.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions

Restlessness

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content