Saturday, June 22, 2013

Balance

by Kaye George

I had an attack of vertigo last week. These aren’t rare, for me, but it had been a few months since I’d had one and it took me by surprise.

It gave rise to some musings on balance. I do lose balance in other ways, too.

Sometimes I allow my computer time to take over my whole day. Notice, I didn’t say my writing. I can’t really write for a whole day, but I CAN spend all my waking hours on the dang ‘puter. Most of it is wasting time. Let’s not talk about my Solitaire addiction. Leaving that aside, there’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, news posts, links to interesting articles, blogs--wish I read more of those--I’m sure I miss some good ones.


I have a solution, but don’t always use it. My solution is to set my timer to 50 minutes. I have a clever one that remembers what setting I used last time. The 10 minutes is for my hourly break, but I’m flexible on that. The important thing is not to sit for 2 or 3 hours at a time, like I did yesterday.


11 comments:

ceblain said...

Oh my gosh yes, I have a "balance" problem too. Like you, I also have vertigo caused my inner ear problems, which make the room spin and make me go down. Awful feeling.

But balance in my life is what I have as well, or lack of it. Some days I can "waste" my day doing some crazy thing like looking for something that I may or may not find at the end of the day. I also put my priorities backwards some days, thinking I will do the fun stuff first and then buckle down to the others, but sometimes the "others" just don't get done.

I used to be very organized in everything but with older age now I just take it easier in most ways and I guess the structure is not as important to me. If I HAVE to get something done, I will get it done, but don't give me too much time or I may just put it off until the last minute. Ugh.

We are not alone in this type of thing I am sure of that!! :)

Kaye George said...

That all sounds SO familiar! I'm awed by the amount I used to get done when I had 3 small children at home and a husband who traveling 98% of the time for business. I guess we do what we have to! But I DO have less energy now than I did then, I'm sure.

Ronda Morhaime said...

I haven't met or do I know many people that suffer from vertigo as I do. I even suffer when sitting at times. I have often wondered if anyone had the same unbalanced life I battle with everyday. Nice to know I am not alone and that I am not the only person who also uses a timer for what most consider normal tasks. Thank you for sharing your story, it was very brave of you.

Kaye George said...

Thanks for coming by, Ronda. I'm not sure I'm brave--maybe foolhardy. :)

Earl Staggs said...

I'm one of those who can get involved in things that take up way too much time and have too little time left for writing. I'm working up the courage to adopt a new plan -- get 3 hours of writing done before I check email, the weather or anything else. Wish me luck.

Kaye George said...

I've tried to do that, Earl, but haven't succeeded. The siren call---Good luck!

Morgan Mandel said...

I spend a lot of time on my computer not writing. It sometimes can be relaxing, but other times a drag just figuring out which emails to answer and which to delete unopened. I write when I know u can concentrate.
Morgan Mandel

Kaye George said...

Sounds familiar, Morgan. I have to get over thinking I need to open every email!

Patg said...

I had a bad case of vertigo when the doctors started me on naicin. (did I spell that correctly?) At 1500mg I had a very severe attack and stopped, even though she thought I should try to keep going. Nut case, changed insurances and doctors. The vertigo lasted in spurts afterwards for about 2 years. Check your meds.

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

I love playing Solitaire on the computer. Make myself NOT do it until I'm ready to shut down for the day--and sometimes don't play at all.
Always play on my phone when I'm having to wait somewhere and didn't bring a book.

Kaye George said...

That sound awful, Pat! No, niacin doesn't do it. I've had vertigo longer than I've been taking it. That's a very high dosage, I think.

Marilyn, I try to limit myself,too. I don't seem to be able to quit completely. I'm very bad! I took all the games off my computer, then found an online place to play. Stupid, I know!