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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen I started this, I was still about a month out from my most recent doctor\u2019s appointment. I knew my blood work wasn\u2019t going to be the best, but I was working to make sure it was better. My appointment got canceled, and I rescheduled for soon after (got lucky there). And I might tackle some of that here, but I have a more in-depth post being worked on for that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is I truly think I hit rock bottom with the blood sugars. And though I have thought that before, this time I truly think I bottomed out. And, in the end, hopefully that\u2019s a good thing. All of this is on me. I have often said that I know I need to do A and B, but then I end up just doing C and D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s not good. It\u2019s time to change things up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking at the big picture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s understandable that people\u2019s mental health may not be what they want to be. And while I try not to get political with my posts \u2013 I want to talk about something in a broad sense. The political spectrum since around 2015 has been crazy \u2013 on both sides. Candidates are more polarizing, more in your face and, depending on which party you are part of, see the other side as scary. It doesn\u2019t matter who you support \u2013 the other side no longer says \u201chey let\u2019s chat,\u201d instead it\u2019s \u201cevil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media and the 24-hour news media cycle plays a healthy part in that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And, again, I don\u2019t care which side you support \u2013 this is true on both sides. There\u2019s an \u201cextreme\u201d version on both sides, and there\u2019s a more middle to each side. But the \u201cwings\u201d tend to be louder and push things more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Social media, again, is a huge part of that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what happens with all of this? Stress builds up. Worry builds up. Anxiety builds up. You see people in a different light than you once did. People end decades-long friendships; family members fight one another; neighbors look at one another differently; towns, cities, states, and countries divide; and there\u2019s no longer a sense of \u2026 doing what\u2019s right for the people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reality is \u2013 we can\u2019t control a lot of these things. The only thing we can do is work on ourselves and try to survive living in this world the best we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think it\u2019s just politics, though, you\u2019re crazy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as we may want to blame presidents or those in congress for certain things \u2013 they really don\u2019t control a lot of things, such as gas prices. The corporate world is fully behind prices and everything else. Otherwise try and explain to me why gas in my area is about 3.39 per gallon. Go an hour away \u2013 and not off a major highway \u2013 and you can get it for 2.85 (ish). Go 10 minutes down the road from my town and it\u2019s 3.25ish, or on Sundays, it\u2019s less than $3.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That has nothing to do with where the delivery is coming from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, we can only control so much. The biggest thing we can control is ourselves and protect our own mental and physical health the best we can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I can say I haven\u2019t done the best with that, but hopefully that can change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what\u2019s going on? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First, my blood sugars aren\u2019t the best. My A1C from two times ago went down a tick, and then this last time in December took a noticeable and good drop. It\u2019s still not where it should be. But it\u2019s getting there. I am focusing a lot more on all aspects of health for myself and results have been good so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Physically, I\u2019ve maintained about the same weight as I\u2019ve been for a bit, and it\u2019s actually gone down a little. However, there\u2019s definitely some inches coming off. Over about a 3-4 month span in 2024, I had put a little back on and I had been getting a little lazy about things. I was still stress snacking. I tried to limit it, but at times, it was hard. Since November, I\u2019ve gotten immensely better with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, reality, the daily grind can tire you out. I don\u2019t always push myself with walks with Harper etc. I need to do more of that and get out with her and explore more. Sometimes, weekends are just sloth-like times where I get a walk or so in and then just kind of veg. While I do believe those types of days are needed at times \u2013 especially for your mental side \u2013 it\u2019s also not good to always have them. <\/p>\n\n\n I have changed that a bit since 2025 started and I notice that I feel better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the mental health side of things, I was stretched pretty thin toward the end of 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I was exhausted mentally most of the time and was burning the candle at both ends when it came to work. I\u2019m sure, like many people, the expectations surrounding what I do are often higher than they should be (pay grade!), and not sustainable. The balance there is very tough and I\u2019m always trying to find a way to do so while still maintaining the level I have always strived to have. Sometimes it\u2019s hard in my job, too, as you have multiple bosses, but also ones you don\u2019t always see or hear from. Sometimes those lines of communication are tougher and you feel like you\u2019re out on an island when it comes to certain things.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m still new to exploring my own mental health and trying to understand what helps and what doesn\u2019t. When you take everything into account \u2013 finances, health, personal growth, relationships of all types, professional life, and everything else \u2013 it\u2019s so much for the human mind to absorb. You add in the constant flow of social media, media, and other screen time things, and it\u2019s overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavily overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I often feel like I am in a bubble of sorts and you can\u2019t get out. I often see things and it\u2019s almost like a blank stare. I sometimes pass people when I walk and don\u2019t even realize they are there. I miss a lot of the little things and that\u2019s tough, too. I often pass by neighbors or others and I\u2019m just in a daze, barely acknowledging somebody.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I could be fully wrong, but that just seems like a sign of being overwhelmed with life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that any way to live?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve been trying to grasp things over the past few months. The reality is that I\u2019m now 51 and some things aren\u2019t as easy as they once were. At the same time, I also don\u2019t want to cut out things I enjoy, so moderation is going to be key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a bit of a plan I hope to follow and we\u2019ll see if it works. Here\u2019s a bit of a glimpse of what I hope to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood monitoring<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Honestly, until mid-November, I had been fully shitty about this.. When I got up in the morning, I always forgot to check my blood before my walk. Then it doesn\u2019t hit me that I didn\u2019t until I\u2019m midway through breakfast. Then I lose my head and just forget. I know one thing that needs to be done is get back into the routine of things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I also know that there are the ones that can be worn and are continuous. I\u2019ve tried those before. They don\u2019t work well for me because I end up bumping into something or forgetting it\u2019s on and when I get out of the shower go over it too hard and they fall out. And once they are out, it\u2019s done. I do have a sample one that I\u2019d like to try soon and see if I can do it better, but I know how I am!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, I have multiple of the readers I use. It\u2019s nice because it connects to my phone and to an app I really like \u2013 MySugr. And as long as I use this brand, I get the VIP part of the app free. I purchased a second lancet device, which allows me to keep one reader upstairs as a reminder to check. My hope is that it will remind me to check at a couple of important times \u2013 the morning and at night before bed (so far, so good). The other I will carry with me during the day and check at different times. If I start doing this more, hopefully I can see any trends or anything like that to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I can\u2019t stress enough that this is one of the most important things I need to start doing again. While eating smart and exercising is huge, this is the aspect that will allow me to see how my blood sugar reacts to certain things. I won\u2019t know if things go up or down if I am not watching this. So far, so good. I\u2019ve been doing well with it and will hopefully keep it up. But it\u2019s not always easy and I have to remember to stay focused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since November, I\u2019ve been checking multiple times a day and understanding things that are going on. It\u2019s holding me accountable. I\u2019ll get more in-depth with this in a later post when I update the whole diabetes journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating better<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Easier said than done, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, I think I\u2019ve done better with this over the past year or so. But that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s perfect. Though I\u2019m a bit more cognizant about what I am eating, and the amount that I am eating, I still will be stupid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m going to say this, though. If all one is doing is eating healthy and not necessarily enjoying what they are eating, then it becomes harder. There are certain foods that are good for diabetics (certain veggies, for example) that I just don\u2019t like. I can\u2019t just eat them for the sake of it. So I have to work around this. The reality is also that food can be a wonderful thing \u2013 you just have to be smart how much you eat. Me eating a small piece of candy isn\u2019t going to kill me. Me eating bags and handfuls of candy every day, on the other hand, probably would help speed the process along. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, I\u2019ve started being smarter with this again. I am trying to see what works and what doesn\u2019t. Sure, I love bread, but I need to watch that. I can\u2019t eat 5 rolls a day, for example. Smaller portions. Better choices. Watching the snacking. All the little things can add up to bigger things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I love me some food, too, so it can be hard. Alas, I will do what I can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, portion control. Watching what I\u2019m eating. And being smarter when it comes to snacking and things like that. I also plan on having a pen-and-paper notebook where I keep track of all things health \u2013 a one-stop shop spot. I can\u2019t lie, though. So far this aspect isn\u2019t working out well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media\/news intake<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is fully aimed at the mental health side of things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This world that we live in right now is a fully connected one. People have their devices and social media and everything else. It\u2019s crazy to think about a world without these things. I am glad, personally, that I grew up in an era when the biggest technology aspect we had was a Super Nintendo being released. We\u2019re now in a world where .. you can live virtual lives or play video games that are as realistic as possible. It\u2019s a world where news isn\u2019t delivered by a newspaper, rather those 24-hour \u201cnews\u201d channels that are actually more \u201centertainment\u201d We are in a world where social media dominates and people feel free to say anything they want without worrying about repercussions. <\/p>\n\n\n Add all of this up and it can hammer your mental well being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about it. You can scroll a feed and see a photo of a dog doing something goofy. It\u2019s cute, harmless, and makes you laugh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Go into the comments. They\u2019ll range from people loving it to paragraphs on why this person is a crappy pet owner because they don\u2019t have the dog in their lap 24 hours a day. Take a video of a husky refusing to come inside during a snowstorm. How many posts will be about that person sucking because \u201cdogs should be inside with their people.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Give me a break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I never realized, though, how much reading crap like this can harm you and your own mental state. And it\u2019s every single topic out there. It doesn\u2019t matter as people have opinions, think they are the only opinion, and that\u2019s it. End of story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that there\u2019s a lot of good with social media, but equally a lot of bad. Make sure yours makes you happy and not angry, upset, or frustrated. I\u2019m working on it myself and hope that it stays in check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Balance<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is this not one of the biggest things that many of us strike out on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think this is something I really haven\u2019t had a good grasp on \u2013 having a certain balance in life. Let me explain. <\/p>\n\n\n As I mentioned before, I find, at times, I\u2019m just exhausted after work. And I shouldn\u2019t necessarily be. So that means my after-work activities a lot of times are just kind of sitting around. This despite knowing there are a lot of other things I can be doing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And none of those things have to necessarily be strenuous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing with Harper. Going for a walk. Maybe working on a project. Putting a lego set together. Writing for my blog. Reorganizing areas of the house. So. Many. Things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I\u2019ve been working on this over the past couple months and am getting a little better. And with my blood sugar doing better, I do seem to have a little more energy (go figure). I\u2019ve also been better about going to bed earlier. That\u2019s helped as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Balance also includes everything going on in the world, right? As mentioned earlier, reality is knowing our world is in a 24-hour news cycle and with so many polarizing people and topics, people are on edge quite often. I\u2019m doing a lot better with my social media consumption; I avoid most non-stop news things; and I just try and get through life with a little less stress. There are a lot of other things for my TV time, for example, rather than non-stop current events. And I know the argument about not paying attention etc., but I just can\u2019t live my life that way. If one worries too much, or gets caught in the hoopla too much, it takes a toll on you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Where am I at?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s a blanket statement, but it\u2019s the truth. Since I started watching everything with my physical health in November, I\u2019ve found a lot more enjoyment in things around me. I\u2019ve worked on a lot of changes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s some things I\u2019m working on: : <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those are just a few of the things I\u2019m working on. Everything is helping. I feel better. I have more energy (most of the time). I feel I am sleeping better and I\u2019ve made sure the walks Harper and I go on are usually longer than in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And that balance I talked about earlier? Well, that helps with the mental aspect of things as well. Your mind can be challenged in other ways and not so overwhelmed with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Life is a long road. Reality is, I\u2019m more on the downhill side of life so things tend to move a bit faster. I don\u2019t know how much time I have left. Hopefully quite a bit more. But I know I want it to be positive and good for myself, rather than full of stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be kind, folks. To yourself and to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hoohaa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_1659.jpg?resize=500%2C347&ssl=1\")
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