Emotional Support Kitties

When Frustration Hits, Cuddle Your Kitties!

The last few days have been rather frustrating (though all’s well that ends well when you have a great team!) and even my emotional support kitties are feeling the pressure. Max spent a good part of the morning walking around the house, howling, while Lazarus hung close, but not too close. Though I never figured out what Max wanted so badly he was howling about it, he seems to have settled back down. He did, however, take issue with me removing the blanket of fur he’d left on the loveseat. I guess it was his way of marking his territory. The one time Ishtar sat on it recently, he acted like someone had stolen his teddy bear! But today, she actually licked his face instead of hissing at him, so we’re making progress!

Speaking of progress, the daily walks are another mood booster, and frustration buster. On my more frustrating days, I tend to walk faster, and today, we got down to 20 minutes, 25 seconds per mile! Had we not stopped to talk to one of the people along our route for a minute, we’d have probably made it to a 20 minute mile! I was definitely more relaxed by the time I got back; ready to jump on yet another Zoom call to share knowledge, and work on some reporting requirements.

As it is, I’ve started making to do lists to keep track of all the tasks I need to complete. Last week, I had about 16, and all but one, non-critical one are complete. This week I’m up to 7 so far, and that’s after already completing payroll today, despite a few setbacks. It’s funny though. As frustrating as things have been lately, I’m also feeling energized. I find I’m completing my evening tasks earlier and earlier lately. Max and Sable aren’t complaining since it means an earlier dinner time for them!

The More You Do, the More You Do

It also means, unless I’m working later to finish a few more tasks on my list, I’m looking for something to do by about 8. It occurs to me starting to add back on-demand ballet classes at 7 or 8PM will fit perfectly into the gap, and give me some much-needed, additional exercise as well. Whether or not I’ll have the energy and drive to add it back the first week of the month remains to be seen. As it is, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are work days for me so I can stay ahead of the monthly billing.

I’m even planning to set my alarm so I can get my provision foraging done early to get a jump on tasks which aren’t dependent on others finishing their day. It’s coming as a complete surprise to me how much frustration; at least when it’s resolved successfully, can actually be inspiring and motivating. The crazier things get, the more I seem to be getting done, both personally and professionally.

Best of all, my cats seem to understand their assignment, and, for the most part, are doing their best to smooth my rough edges. I could call my Christmas movie binge watching a waste of time, but combined with all the kitty cuddles, I know it’s much-needed down time for me, and snuggles for my poor, neglected felines. (their words, not mine) I may jump up and down more often than they’d like, but it isn’t long before someone claims my lap again once I’m sitting, perhaps with a hot mug of turmeric tea laced with honey and fresh lemon juice.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

To some, spending Christmas and New Years alone in the house, working a few hours (or perhaps a lot of them) while others are celebrating with family and friends sounds like an incredibly sad pursuit. For me, it means I can work without interruptions because everyone is busy with family and friends, leaving me to knock out work, or write another blog post. That, alone will clear space in the days to come, allowing me to pivot on a dime if something new gets added to my life, or load.

Circling back to the original theme of this post, emotional support comes in many flavors. It might be pets, or walks, or some other kind of movement. Perhaps it’s a long phone conversation, or getting immersed in a good book. It could be as simple as curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a couple of cats to watch a movie which requires no mental involvement, and in fact, minimal attention to follow the story line.

Whatever works for you, it’s important to see it as a necessity rather than a luxury. Your sanity; your mental health and well-being depend on it!

Grateful for Every, Single Minute

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for my emotional support kitties.
2. I’m grateful for my daily walks.
3. I’m grateful for the people in the neighborhood who have come to recognize us as we toddle along our regular route day after day.
4. I’m grateful for hot cups of tea, soft, snuggly kitties, and warm, fleece blankets.
5. I’m grateful for movies which don’t require much brain power, and are purely entertaining.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.

Holiday Ho Hums

The Holidays are Here?

Here it is, the holidays again. My happy, happy, joy, joys have left the building. It’s not that I’m sad or depressed. I’m just bored of all the hoop-la…except for the decorations lighting up my neighborhood. I love those, and am going to miss them once Hallowthanksmas is behind us once again. It’s been a hoot taking my almost-daily 3-mile walks and checking out what the neighbors have added since the last time.

But despite snowmen, penguins, polar bears, Santas, Grinches, and more, I’ve failed to acquire even a touch of holiday spirit this year. The few gifts I bought for the grands were shipped weeks ago. I did have a lovely lunch with a friend with whom I exchanged gifts (eventually, I’ll get a picture of the beautiful water bottle she had made for me with an adorable picture of Scrappy Doo and Artemis).

It’s not really even about the gifts though. Work has been extra busy of late, both with end of the year activities, and a software implementation, so my focus isn’t even on it being a holiday other than the fact I’ll get a couple of days to work without interruption while the rest of the staff celebrates with family and friends. I have no real plans for the next couple of weeks other than work, volunteering, and my usual round of chores and errands.

Honoring Traditions

Granted, I’ll pull out my menorah and start lighting candles Christmas night, and I need to decide which establishment I’ll order my traditional Jewish Christmas Eve dinner from, to eat while watching more sappy movies. But there are times I actually do miss those crazy years…those trying to stretch a dollar while covering our gift list years when my kitchen was a frenzy of baking and gift boxes for a couple of weeks. I do not, however, miss the office Christmas parties; more a command performance than anything else, shared with people I had no commonalities with.

All in all, it’s kind of a mixed bag this year. There are things I miss from prior years, and those I’m glad I no longer revisit. I didn’t even party with my dance community this year, for reasons which I’ve belaboured in other posts, so won’t reiterate here. I love the friends I will be sending well-wishes too, and the kitties who snuggle with me whenever I’m not working, running errands, or doing chores.

Max has woven himself into the fabric of the inside community despite still needing to wear his cone until all potential areas for him to lick back open have healed up. Ishtar only hisses at him and his weird get-up occasionally now, but the boys have completely accepted him. It does leave Sable outside by herself, but she doesn’t go far, and can often be found right outside the kitchen door waiting for her share of attention, or a meal. Even the raccoons seem to have cut back on their nocturnal food runs.

Maybe it’s Too Quiet?

There’s an odd sort of feeling of anticipation, though heaven knows what might be on my horizon right now. Holiday high jinks are at an all-time low this year. Aside from the decorations and the holiday movies, they could almost pass without my notice. Without ballet or regular dance nights, I’ve settled into a kind of fugue state, punctuated by the usual things like food runs, volunteering, laundry day, and daily walks.

I suppose it’s the quiet life I worked for years to achieve, not knowing this is what it would look like. I’m not disappointed, nor am I overjoyed. Work and volunteering give me the sense of purpose I find I still need though; more since the only ones who truly need me at this point have pointy ears, and long tails. Even that’s OK.

Enjoying Being Not Needed

As I watch people I know dealing with family issues like aging parents, or helping raise grand kids, I’m selfishly grateful I have no such demands on my time. I come and go as I please with only a couple of things actually scheduled in during the week. Yet there’s a certain emptiness to my life; to my days; as well. Being needed is definitely a double-edged sword.

For now, I’ll be grateful for the time to read, write, watch movies, and snuggle with my cats; to take those walks with my friend; to work the schedule I want to instead of one dictated by another. I have Sundays to look forward to when I get to help socialize cats and kittens so they can find their perfect, forever home. At some point, I can add in a dance night or two, a ballet class or ten, and maybe even a date with myself. The beauty of this point in my life is the options are endless. I simply need to reach out and grab one.

An Attitude of Gratitude

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for this quiet, if dull holiday season.
2. I’m grateful for my walking buddy who gets me out of the house when I need it most.
3. I’m grateful for my kitties who are happy, healthy, and snuggly.
4. I’m grateful for my friends who may be few, but they’re incredible.
5. I’m grateful for the traditions I still keep.

About the Author