[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Bizdoc

Dr Dada at Lifestream is pretty good. He splits his time between a couple of clinics, but part of it is at Colony Counseling (near Villages Health Colony clinic. They have a 24 hour hot line at 866-355-9394. That same number will, if memory serves me, connect you to their screening person who will talk with you before scheduling you. Be honest with them about how anxious you feel - if you minimize, you will move down the priority list.

In the mean time, there are lots and lots of good people on TOTV. PM the ladies above and have coffee with them. If nothing else, you'll know that others care.

mmm, I'd keep looking if I were the op. been there....

[kittygilchrist]

Lunch organized by Kathi for all of us. I'm in. snicker...is this how we roll on this, kathi? I'm not sure, seemed like a snowball thing happened. i like it.

[Erijo]

I too am having a hard time adjusting. I was working full time one day and the next I was retired and moving away from my home of 34 years , my girls and my miracle grandson, my sisters and my mother. I pretty much identified my self by my profession. I know I am not the first woman to work my whole life, but I am having a hard time. I keep being told, this too shall pass. Everyone goes thru this adjustment. Some days I look in the mirror and ask myself, who are you and how did you get to be your mothers age? I will survive! LOL. Hang in there. I think there should be a club for women that are in shock that now they are retired and moved to TV, this way we know we are not alone in our feelings.

[Suzi]

I was you about a year ago. Worked so hard to break the glass ceiling that I didn't know what I would do with this retirement. I was very concerned that "just doing fun things" would be so frivolous compared to what I did during my working years. I wrote on TOTV and met a couple of women for lunch. I was still concerned so I did take a couple of TOTV suggestions.....and they worked:
1st No matter what I had to do in the home to organize, I took time everyday to go out and do something "I" wanted to do.....something fun. I met a large amount of very friendly women. They wanted to know where I was from, but not what I did so I could maintain anonymity. I began to "think" like a regular person and not the high-powered exec I was at work. No pretenses, no expectations. In my mind it started out like a game - one in which no one knew who or what I was......and then it became "normal".
2nd I took my time to do things. I didn't rush to do everything, every activity. If it sounded interesting, I would join in. If not, I didn't. Women are so pleasant here that they don't get hurt if you decline.
3rd I frequently took time to have a coffee and people-watch. Went to Starbucks and just sat and watched couples, other women, sports groups and watched their interactions. Very informative and calming. Day by day I began to feel more comfortable with my new role. I see other women just like me and they are happy and satisfied.

I, too, thought I would need to seek professional help, but NO, I actually found my "place" rather easily. It was not nearly as painful as I had conjured-up in my head. I actually have learned to not sweat the small stuff.....if it doesn't get done today - there is tomorrow. That is truly an "about-face" from my previous life. And it FEELS GREAT and I feel HEALTHY.

Good luck to you as you explore this next part of your life and find the things that make you happy.

[Lauren Sweeny]

I believe that we women need to join together to help each other handle the hurdles life throws ( and sometimes leaks out ) . Gracie and I are alike in our understanding of emotions and life path difficulties. Please find time to meet new friends . Just talking, sitting learning to laugh again helps tremendously. Let this be your first step. Leaving the comfort of friends, family, and routine is VERY discombobulating ! I imagine it as changing from our old comfy broke in slippers to new shoes. It takes time to get the feel and make them your own.
Please PM me ,I am a chocolate addict, reader ,traveler ,animal lover and sensitive ( politically correct way of saying therapy works).

[jdsl1998]

Thank you ALL. Since I last wrote, I have had SO, SO many P.M.'s that gave me stories of going though the same thing. Also, I was sent so much encouragement. Due to your posts, I stopped by our new church and signed up to help in Operation Homebound beginning on Monday. The last thing the lady who runs it said to me was, "this will feed your soul", just want I need!! So, that is a start. I have doctors and therapist names that have been sent to me. That is my next step. I just want you all to know that you have touched my heart. That this is the best therapy I have had since it began. I can see a light at the end of this tunnel and will grab each rung of the ladder to get to that light. Thank you all....I'll keep you posted!!
P.S. I know I'm getting better, if only for brief moments. I got a chuckle out of the "Grand Avenue" cartoon on today's funny page....Chuckling is good!

[2BNTV]

Laughter is the best medicine!!!!

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by jdsl1998

Thank you ALL. Since I last wrote, I have had SO, SO many P.M.'s that gave me stories of going though the same thing. Also, I was sent so much encouragement. Due to your posts, I stopped by our new church and signed up to help in Operation Homebound beginning on Monday. The last thing the lady who runs it said to me was, "this will feed your soul", just want I need!! So, that is a start. I have doctors and therapist names that have been sent to me. That is my next step. I just want you all to know that you have touched my heart. That this is the best therapy I have had since it began. I can see a light at the end of this tunnel and will grab each rung of the ladder to get to that light. Thank you all....I'll keep you posted!!
P.S. I know I'm getting better, if only for brief moments. I got a chuckle out of the "Grand Avenue" cartoon on today's funny page....Chuckling is good!

thank you for the humility to admit having a need. What is it with us that we always want to be too strong to need anything or anybody or any help. It's pathological to isolate, keep the chin up, and deny our feelings.

You get the GENUINE PERSON AWARD..