Why I Am Choosing To...

Reveal That I Am Now Changing My Mind About Travel.

Welcome to Denyse Whelan Writes Here.

I’ve made a change to the title here and added an updated image.

It’s still me, Denyse Whelan, writing here! And I changed the colours a bit too.

It’s the time of the month on the calendar for a look at what I’ve been up to in May.

And the post I prepared looked like some of this, and since preparing it changes have come about for me.

Please read on.

Background:

After sharing some BIG (for me) news via this post, I have been on quite a bit of a research run.

T

R

A

V

E

L

is on my agenda in the near and not-to-future too.

But first, I had to do this…try what is known as ‘exposure therapy’

I am very car-centred…and I admit, like to be in control, and driving around the city (or the country) does not bother me BUT
I needed to test my ability to catch a local bus to Parramatta, walk around the city and shopping centre and find my way home …..

I DID IT. And of course, wrote about it here.

I’m someone who needs to research and back up the words and more with the practical. And I also need to do this incrementally.

I’m building my confidence as I step out of my very comfortable zone.

And whilst I had a few insecure thoughts when I was away for the 2.5 hours, I was able to quiet my inner fearful me, and tell myself it was all part of my learning and I would be OK. And I was.

What did I do next?

My trip into Sydney via the Metro and then a train from Chatswood, and into the city over the Harbour Bridge, leaving at Wynyard to walk to my hotel in Pitt St, quite close to Circular Quay for a day of ‘tourist in my town’ times, and then the night festival of Vivid. . More about Vivid here.

MCA Building

Opera House

Me with hotel “Marriott” in red in background.

Thursday 30 May

That sounded easy, right?

I am very much the work-in-progress but I accept I will be taking on board more memories to be part of the courage-me and a growing sense of confidence to be able to find food I can manage, and deal with whatever comes and be a strong presence where I go.

This actually IS easy. I have travelled before and can remember it’s about ‘looking like I am aware of all that’s around me, and not taking risks.’

18 years ago Denyse on a solo trip to USA

UPDATE.

And Research is Happening for my Plan to Go to the United Kingdom.

The research that was the ‘reality check’ of being away from home, staying somewhere even an hour from home, is too much for me, these days.

I learned this:

• My body is not the one I had 18 years ago…ha! I may be slimmer but my body has had 18 years of living with and beyond some major health challenges

• That my intent and the actual may find there is a slight or large gap once experiences are had

• All the courage I can muster is not something that helps me fuel my body away from home sufficiently due to my past oral cancer and mouth reconstruction

• I did try hard to make the overnight stay work so I could (hopefully) plan what was to be a major undertaking setting out for UK for 3 weeks later this year

• I am pleased to have done the actual research and to have evidence, sad but true, that any time over night away from home is not good for my nutrition or my sleep or my stamina

That I am sad about this is true.

That I am glad I made the choice to try is also true.

That I want to share upfront how it has been as that is my style and honesty wins.

What I am not looking for from anyone is suggestions about how I maybe could work this out for me. You see, dear readers and commenters, THIS has been done. By me.

Walked to Opera House…and knew inside me what I had to admit to…

I appreciate your care for me and my health moving forward, always…and this is why I am choosing to share my latest news today!

Denyse.

Thank you to the team who run link up, What’s Been On Your Calendar.

Deb 

https://debs-world.com

Sue 

https://www.womenlivingwellafter50.com.au

Jo 

https://andanyways.com

Donna 

https://retirementreflections.com