What I Am Doing
To Ease Me Through February 2025.
Welcome to Denyse Whelan Writes Here.
OK. I am doing well…as I can be… as I ease into February 2025.
February has not been a great month for me over the years, but I am paying good attention to my emotional, mental and physical health right now, “allowing” all that February 2025 brings for me.
You might be curious about the ‘why’ of recent years where February was a standout.
In early February 2023 we got the GREAT news that we were the successful tenants for this house we have been renting since then. And each year, we get a rent increase (not big) because the owners like us and B does a great job with the yard.
At this stage in February 2024 I had visited my 100 year old father, for what I DID not know, would be the last time in his apartment. I noted that day in Sydney was extra hot…as I stopped by the Harbour on my way to Dee Why, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
At Dad’s I saw he was very frail looking (no surprise there) but his words and thoughts were fine..and he had even asked me to find a meat pie for him. Honestly? Yes I did and it was one that went in the freezer for him to have another time.
I set up his memories from his 100th Birthday in the previous two weeks where he could see them. He had macular degeneration. And this is what he could see, or at least direct his visitors to see.
At this stage in February 2024 I had an investigation into my lungs after having had Covid and RSV late 2023. I was recovering but things did not need anything else doing.
I’m now fast forwarding a bit, and I may decide to write more another time, but it was at the almost end of February that Dad died. He had been hospitalised for a week prior to that.
What I am doing now for me, the memory maker and keeper, is to give myself time…for emotions and what I remember to happen. And being kind to myself.
And because my G.P. has told me to SELF-CARE as a priority I am embracing my art and media in a big way.
Audible is helping me along the way as I listen to stories by Elizabeth Strout for a second time.
Caring for me FIRST is still a novelty but I am being 100% supported by my dear husband who is the BEST part of any February as his birthday is close to the end.
And today, Sunday, I drove to the river to have some time outside and this was a lovely experience.
A job that was NOT on my agenda…but I also spent FAR too long trying to get my former blog’s facebook page closed (by me, on Facebook) and when that proved too hard (for me, and them too!) I made a simple name change and will rarely (or not at all) post there.
As this week commences, I am adding a few more things to my week, that I can and feel up to doing.
And I choose what I do and cannot do. I am finally EMPOWERING myself. True story is that I have rarely if at any time, put myself first. THAT is partly why I have been troubled by burnout and carer exhaustion.
Thanks everyone for your kind words and good wishes after this post too.
Looking after myself in February 2025 looks like this…my wallpaper, screen saver on my phone as an added reminder!
Take care everyone and I wish you well in February 2025.
Denyse x
Bless your heart. I am so glad you are taking care of you and making your health and happiness a number one priority. I am following your good lead and trying to do the same. What a festive arrangement you created of all the birthday cards and photos for your sweet dad. My mother had macular, too, and was about blind. Made for such a lonely existence. Hope this February is the first in a long line of wonderful second months of the year that are perfectly delightful.
It’s a big job being the memory keeper and main organiser Denyse. It’s been. A lot on your plate and I wish you well as February unfolds. Take care, as I know you are.