Perls said that Matthews and many of the others he's studied are better at managing stress, more outgoing and more optimistic, even about aging. "They don't dwell on things. They don't internalize things that are stressful," said Perls.(Click here for the story and to watch a sweet 101-year-old lady play the piano.)
OK, let's see how I'm doing:
- "...better at managing stress..."
- Uh, well. Let's see what I normally do when I'm stressed. I freeze in place and can't move forward. I have a panic attack. I eat sugar and salt and more sugar and more salt. Then I sit in front of the television or computer trying to ignore what is making me stressed (thereby putting it off and making me more stressed...) That sounds pretty good, right? It doesn't? Huh. Strike one for Rebecca
- "...more outgoing..."
- Yeah, I fall squarely on the introvert side of things. The idea of talking on the phone (even to friends) can send me into a panic attack. Strike two for Rebecca
- "...more optimistic..."
- LOL. Would anyone out there call me an optimist? Anyone? If so, you really haven't been paying attention... Strike three for Rebecca
- "...even about aging..."
- I direct you to my ICLW intro post for a description of how old I feel...at 35. Um, this could be a problem. Strike four for Rebecca...wait, that's too many
- "They don't dwell on things."
- Let's see, I started a blog so that I could have a place to dwell on my infertility. I spend half of my day (OK, let's face it, all of my day) obsessing about my infertility. If allowed, I would talk to everyone, at any time, for hours on end about my infertility. Nope, I don't dwell on things. Strike five for Rebecca...um, I sense a problem here
- "They don't internalize things that are stressful."
- Yeah, I give up. Strike six for Rebecca...it's all over
Well, who wants to live past 100, anyway? I mean, thinking optimistically, that's 65 more years of stress, anxiety, avoiding social situations and dwelling on not being pregnant.
Plus - if the world goes downhill, you don't want to be one of those old folks who wished for life to be like how it was in 19XX. Lol.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Jin. I mean, really. I don't want to be around when we've used up all of our natural resources and flying to Mars. Too crazy for me!
ReplyDeleteAgree with your last paragraph. You don't want to be 100 anyway. :) And I think all us If'ers are with you.. none of us will be living till 100.
ReplyDeleteManaging stress, not dwelling on things, not internalizing stress, being cool with getting older--yeah, I'm striking out on all of those too! SOMETIMES I'm optimistic, SOMETIMES outgoing--mostly when there's not so much dang stress to deal with! But yeah, that's ok--100 seems awfully old anyway ;)
ReplyDeleteWell I am right there with you! But so are most people.
ReplyDeleteI would be more optimistic if this infertility would go away, that's for sure!
Those last 10-15 years can't be all that fun anyway....
ReplyDeleteIsn't a sense of humor supposed to help you live longer? Well, if it doesn't, it should. At least you have that on your side. :) Happy ICLW!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I wouldn't want to live until Im 100 either.
ReplyDeleteWell... I was wondering if that was exactly how the lady would have described herself at the age of 35. I doubt it!
ReplyDeleteLOL. 100 is too long anyway, and we can't change what IF does to us and our internal wiring. Happy ICLW
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteI agree with one of you commenters up there ^. Doesn't a sense of humor count for something? I sure hope so, cuz this is one funny post. Not to laugh at you, of course.
Just please don't start worrying over the fact that you may not live until 100! :) There's enough to deal with and not stress over right now.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post!
I'm 50/50 on that list!
ReplyDeleteICLW
http://daega99-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/
Living to 100 is overrated, I think. And a sense of humor should count for something. Laughter reduces stress!
ReplyDeleteHere from ICLW
Hi, I just found your blog and it looks like were in pretty much the same stage of TTC. I've gone through three IUIs and we're headed towards IVF. (I don't write about TTC on my blog, but you can contact me there anytime.)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from ICLW. Shoot going by that list I'm lucky if I make it through another year! :)
ReplyDelete