Is that title a bit weird? Maybe. Books I’m really enjoying influence me a lot [my family and friends would confirm this right away] and one of those I’m currently reading inspired this title. Because it’s been mentioned quite a lot already, you might know that loneliness is considered a major risk factor for developing dementia later in life. It’s not a fact anybody would be proud to reveal about themselves but yes, I’ve been spending a lot of time by myself in past years. In part this is natural for being an introvert but at the same time, even us introverts need other people in our lives to be truly happy. It’s not that I’m never around others but it’s not enough for my own needs. Which is a fact that an ED masks. It makes you feel like you preferred staying home and sticking with comfortable routines. Only this isn’t true but if you’re struggling/have struggled with an ED yourself, you’ll know it can be hard to differentiate your own voice from that of the ED. The one that’s telling you lies about who you are, what you like and at that heavily limiting you in following your dreams.
Long story short: This past week fell under the motto of stimulating those neurons [= preventing dementia] aka breaking routines, making good memories and trying new things. I will say it feels uncomfortable to write these confessions because I’m afraid of what kind of a person it makes me look like. Please note that these things don’t keep me from working or interacting with my colleagues; it’s outside of work that I struggle. Yes, I’m in my twenties and struggle with these things but mental illnesses know no age limits and while I wish I’d taken action a lot earlier, late is better than never.
On a blogging note, I’m sorry I’ve been MIA since the past Monday and neither commented on any of your posts nor published the good good links. Traveling for my aunt’s 50th birthday in Berlin [leaving Thursday night and getting back on Sunday] and feeling a little under the weather got in between me and blogging. I’ll definitely catch up on your posts this week and will also post the link lovin’ on Friday. Hope you understand.
Thanks to Meg for hosting our fun little Monday gathering!
In the past week, I …
Worked just a few days and was thankfully able to some off to allow for the trip to Berlin, leaving on Thursday afternoon.
Made an overdue appointment I’d been postponing forever.
Met a friend who was housesitting her parents’ place on Tuesday night and talked for hours. You know you’re with a truly amazing friend when you don’t even realize time passing by in the blink of an eye.
Spent Friday with abovementioned friend who spontaneously decided to meet me in Berlin again. It was one of the best days in a long time and I couldn’t be more grateful for this friend.
Spontaneously bought another book while in Berlin. I don’t think I ever made a decision on a book that fast and spending on myself twice in this close succession? Definitely an accomplishment. Granted, having a friend around convincing me it was fine helped.
Went out to eat at a fully vegan Vietnamese restaurant, 1990 Vegan Living. Funnily enough, it wasn’t me but my very much non-vegan brother suggesting this. Their concept is best described as the Vietnamese version of tacos, as in: you order several small bowls, at best to be shared around the table. We admittedly didn’t do a lot of the latter because all of us were pretty hungry at that point but it was an amazing experience nonetheless. Unfortunately, my camera didn’t tag along for the journey and the pictures on my phone didn’t turn out due to the dim lighting situation in the restaurant. I did find a few pictures on Instagram, though. Too bad we didn’t have another opportunity to eat out because I really wanted to go back.
Ate intuitively during my whole stay in Berlin. This is something I find really hard at home but being in a completely different environment and around people who make me feel good, food was barely an issue most of the time. Note to self [that I already knew deep within]: travelling is a key to getting unstuck and closer to [food] freedom.
One more note on this that might be relieving for anybody struggling to eat intuitively is that listening to my hunger cues, I actually ate less than usual. Please note that this was neither my intention nor will I ever promote restricting your intake, much less sell intuitive eating as the “how to eat less” solution. I was careful in still eating enough to not loose weight but it was relieving to see that I can trust my hunger. Now to develop this trust and ability to listen to my intuition at home. Pictured below is merely a stand-in of a past Asian meal to make up for the lack of photos taken this past week.
Did a historical tour of Berlin. This was part of the program my aunt had organised for her birthday. Fun fact: history was one of my least favourite subjects in school but my aunt’s old friend does the best job of getting anybody interested in it. We had been on tours with him before and he’s amazing. The only unfortunate bit this time were the ungodly temperatures. My feet were frozen afterwards. Thank goodness for hotel bathrooms with floor heating …
Proved my anxious mind wrong by experiencing all of the above rather than the version of this trip my brain had pictured. The only unfortunate bit of the trip is that I’m now home with an icky cold. Lots of tea and sleep for me today.
Happy Monday!
Happiness-inducing today: My sister trying to cheer me up via WhatsApp because being sick is so boring,
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Tell me about your past week! Highlights, topics on your mind, news – anything.
How does traveling change you [if it does]?
How did you stimulate your neurons in the past week?
