There are things I know I need to do if I am going to be happy and productive and just generally function as myself and get the things done that I need to have done.
I need to go outside. Even if it is freezing cold, I have to go outside regularly. And not just walking-to-and-from the bus stop, but wandering outside by trees. Luckily, I live by a lake. Unluckily, I am bad at forcing myself to go outside, even if I know it will make me happy. Also, I am uncomfortable going outside by myself if I'm not going somewhere directly. I haven't worked out that why, but I know it's true.
I need to exercise. It doesn't have to be extremely vigorous episode, but I'm definitely happier if I have the chance to dash around a bit from place to place. Little bursts of running about and around. Going on runs makes me feel better, but I've never been able to stick to a consistent running schedule for more than a week.
I need to eat regularly also, for maybe-probably-obvious-reasons AKA food is important to function. And I stop functioning quicker-than-average when I am hungry. But I'm also bad at remembering when I'm supposed to eat, even with Todoist reminders and alarms and lists. (And once I remember to eat, I have difficulty figuring out what to eat and the steps to eat, especially if I am already to a hungry-reduced-functioning-level.)
I'm happier when I have regular physical contact. Physical contact makes me feel grounded. But boyfriend lives relatively far away and works decently long and I can only see him on weekends. And most people are not in my comfortable-with-physical-contact-list... and also it would be weird I think since mostly I encounter fellow lab mates on a daily basis.
Luckily, there is a solution to all these problems.
This is Rocket.
He reminds me to go outside several times a day. He makes it not scary and makes it fun. We go on walks with little bits of running to chase geese into the lake.
He gets two meals a day and feeding him reminds me that I need to eat. And he is always willing to snuggle with me.
He also solves my used-to-taking-care-of-things habits that come from growing up with goats and dogs and sheep and horses and rabbits and chickens. Life always feels incomplete without something to take care of it. And as much as I like my plants and Dr. Seuss, taking care of them did not use all that much of my input or effort.
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For clarification purposes, this is my super-pretty-but-not-very-
cuddly betta who is named Dr. Seuss. |
Labels: animals, executive function, fear, food, friends, rocket
