My Journey Update, August 16, 2022

Happy Monday!

Ok, I know. Most of us don’t really care that much for Mondays. Still, just like Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew on Christmas Eve, I wish you a happy Monday still.

For those who have been following my journey to build a healthy, happy life for myself and my family, Monday means an update on My Journey.

Recent weeks have been focused almost completely on my physical health. This makes sense for a couple of reasons. First, it is among my greatest area of need. Perhaps even my greatest. Second I was recently quite sick, ending up in the hospital for 5 days. I’m feeling much better and do want to update you all on my physical health, but wanted to go beyond that this week.

Moving forward I want to provide updates on where I’m at with all 6 Pillars of the Healthy, Happy Life. I explain all the components in a past blog post. Each week, as I provide an update, I’ll break it down by the 6 Pillars. So, let’s go.

Work/Life

If I’m completely honest, I’ve probably let this one get a bit imbalanced more towards life and perhaps not enough focus on work. With classes starting soon at my university, I’m sure this will balance out some. So, I’m ok with where I’m at with this one.

Physical Health

I’m feeling the best I have in several weeks. I wouldn’t say that my endurance is at 100% what it was before, but I’m getting close. I lost 15 pounds while I was sick. I expected to gain some of that back once I started eating regular meals. As of last week, I had gained back 1-2 pounds.

This week my doctor took me off the diuretic I was taking along with my blood pressure medicine. I expected to gain a little in water weight after that. Total, I’ve gained 5 pounds since last Monday. I’m continuing to monitor to make sure that this doesn’t continue to rise due to water retention. I’m not seeing any swelling and the weight seems to have leveled off. Not it’s time to get back into my exercise and nutrition routine.

Mental Health

For years I’ve been a journaler. However, not on a regular basis. I’d do it when going through difficult times. I believe in the benefits of journaling. So, I’m planning to get back into it on a regular basis starting this week.

Spiritual Health

Between being sick and some personal stuff, I was out of church for the better part of 2 months. Maybe even a little more. I started back last week and it’s been really good for me. I’m glad to be back around people with similar beliefs and values, worshiping and learning from the word of God.

Relational Health

Spent yesterday thrifting with my wife. It was a good day. Planning to plan DnD with my son and his wife, my daughter and her boyfriend, and maybe another friend of the kids. Overall I feel pretty solid in this area.

Financial Health

My wife and I have made great progress in the past two and half years with our finances. We budget and were keeping pretty close to that. We have slipped some in that area. Sadly, we have a leaky roof and windows. So, we are having to borrow some money to pay for these items. It’s a big hit to our efforts to become debt free, but we are more focused than ever and getting back after it.