I will squeeze in a March update. The condo is in a pending sale state. There is still lots to do before closing (like getting my large furniture picked up for sale, donation or disposal) but I have felt a small reprieve from the craziness leading up to listing.
My most stressful point so far in this whole plan was actually back in November. Some new physical symptoms had become more and more frequent—I self-diagnosed them as due to stress, went to my GP and then, at her recommendation, went to talk with a therapist at the clinic. It was so good to TALK.
The pressure I had been applying to myself seemed to reignite a very old habit of excessive worrying and to amplify some OC-like tendencies.
On top of that, I had thought the election here wouldn’t affect me and I was so wrong. Walking around dumbfounded for weeks, it compounded the anxiousness I was already feeling.
After talking with the therapist about some of the stuff I procrastinate on, worry about, and obsess over, I felt more comfortable sharing it with friends. Then some friends shared similar experiences. Talking with good friends is really free therapy.
I also discussed how I still suck at asking for help. That got added to my homework: this week, ask one friend for help. Next week, ask two friends for help. Sounds funny but I needed help asking for help.
And leading up to listing the condo, I absolutely did remember to call on friends to help with things I couldn’t do on my own: moving the sofa bed to the studio (for sleeping there), disassembling the large heavy dining table, removing the long florescent light fixture to clean, etc.
There will be many more opportunities to ask for help soon. With the condo sale needs winding down, I am starting to focus on all the move to-dos and the road trip details for driving back to Nova Scotia. I plan to be on the road in less than 8 weeks! 8 weeks!!!
References and related links:
- Previous post: help 101
- OC: obsessive-compulsive
- SLSR: simpler living semi-retirement