short term goals

[green]

1. Personal hygiene! this is a big thing for me. since being depressed, I slacked off on basic daily hygiene like bathing and tooth brushing. I've gotten better at this, but would like to make it a daily occurrence.

2. Quit smoking. I don't know if this should be under long term or short term goals, but since I'm working on it now, I should add it here, I think.

3. Do more housework. Mom does the majority of the housework around here, and LIKES doing it for the most part, but I need to pick up some of the slack. She's retiring at the end of the month and I should do things to make her retirement less like work. This includes doing my own laundry and washing the dishes.

4. Eat right and exercise. The long term goal is to lose weight and get in shape, but I am going to start small by eating smaller meals more frequently, watching my calorie intake, and being more active.

5. Therapy. This is related to the long term goals I have, like going to school, becoming more socially active, overcoming anxiety, etc. But those things have to start with therapy. I have gone to my intake evaluation and hopefully they will match me up with a good therapist soon and I can start.


Those are my short term goals. I will make another post with my long term goals when I can.

Comments

[gloss]

I struggle with #1, too. It can really be a form of self-punishment, I think.

As for #2, I think it's both long and short term? Because you're going to make the long-term by notching off littler chunks of short terms.

You can do this! ♥

[green]

I am afraid to go to a dentist because of the chewing-out I will receive for not taking care of my teeth. :( I have a cavity in a wisdom tooth though, and will need to get to a dentist as soon as I can afford it. :\

I think I can do it! I am getting a lot of encouragement from you guys and from T, and that helps more than I can say.

[gloss]

Yes, when I can afford a dentist, it's going to be really hellish, emotionally as well as physically. ugh.

*hugs* You are strong and beautiful, inside and out.

[green]

Thank you so much. Most of the time I don't feel like either of those things.

[gloss]

But it's true. It's just mean chemicals in your brain preventing you from seeing yourself the way we all see you.

<3

[green]

I hate that part of my brain. It's so ridiculously awful. BUT. I have friends to remind me that just because my mind says one thing, it is not necessarily true. ♥

[schemingreader]

I had this fear, because I went a long time without a dental visit. I found a new dentist whom everyone said was totally nice. He was. His hygienist was, too. A good dentist should not be a schmuck. (I believe that's in the textbook for dental schools these days...)

[green]

lol okay. thanks, bb. ♥

[turps]

Those seem like good short term goals.

You know I'm cheering you on to achieve them.

[green]

Thank you so much. <3

[snuffkin]

yay setting short time goals is much better than long-term goals anyway. (they are easier to reach and won't drag you down)

As for going to the dentists: Don't be afraid. I don't think he'll really be hard on you. Just... tell him what happened and that you know that it needs to change. You'll probably feel a lot better after you've seen him/her (at least I always feel great after a visit at the dentist's - maybe I'm jsut weird lol )

And yay for Therapy! I hope you'll get an awesome therapist.

[green]

I hate telling people about my depression and that I've been unable to do things. It makes me feel like such a loser. :\ But if she asks, I'll tell her.

Thank you, bb. <3

[snuffkin]

But they're doctors. They get to hear that stuff all the time:/

[green]

True. I don't think of dentists as doctors who need to know, though.

[regann]

These are great goals, I have a few of them on my own list. I am currently about three steps into the dentist thing and I always had the same fear as you. Luckily I found a local dentist who was firm about what I needed to do but not a lecturing asshole. I found her through a rec from a coworker; maybe there is some local board or list where you can ask around?

Good luck!

[green]

I think I found a good one looking around online. I will probably call on Monday for an appointment. (I'm going with her because she's the only female dentist around)

Thank you! ♥

[flaming_muse]

Make the appointment! :) Frequently when you go to a new dentist you have to fill out a new patient questionnaire. You could find a place on it to say that health issues have made your oral hygiene regimen difficult/unreliable, but you are getting back on track... including scheduling this visit! You don't have to be more specific than that.

Good luck with it all. Stopping smoking happens one hour/day at a time... but it will add up to years!

[green]

♥♥♥

thank you, bb.

[turlough]

Those are all good goals! I'll be here cheering you on all the way!

[green]

*hugs* Thank you! :D

[aberrant1]

Those are good goals. Concrete, reasonable, and not easy, I know, but nice and straightforward. Hopefully that'll help you achieve all of them!

I slack off on... well, all of those except for the smoking. Mostly because I can get away with it. From personal experience: exercising (especially outside) should make you hot and sweaty enough that showering doesn't seem like a pointless waste of time, so part of #4 will help with part of #1!

Eating right... well, I'm hardly an expert on this, but I've found it's pretty easy to replace [bad food] with [similar good food]. Whole wheat for white bread, water or juice for soda, pita chips for Doritoes, etc.

Housework and therapy, I am an utter failure at, to the point where I don't even make goals related to those anymore. I wish you luck, and if you happen to find something that works, share! :-)

[green]

Thank you so much for your support! And yeah, if I get sweaty and grimy enough (more hiking, maybe?) then I'll be glad to take a shower.

Therapy is something I absolutely need. For some people it's a 'take it or leave it' thing, but I definitely need it. I guess I could learn some coping skills by reading books and researching anxiety more, but that doesn't sound pleasant to me. Sitting down and talking about my problems and learning coping skills like a one-on-one class will help me more, I think.