Back in the 90s, one of my friends noted that in every made-for-TV movie, at some point a character exclaims “I just want my life back!” Not to be overly dramatic, but that’s how I’m starting to feel.
After eating a little on Monday, Muffin is not eating again. She won’t eat the cat crack or the tuna, and I’m extremely worried. A commenter, Donna, suggested chicken broth and I’m going to try that. Meanwhile I have a call in to the vet but haven’t heard back yet. Come on- we paid you $500. Call me back!!!
Meanwhile, my hamstring has picked this time to start hurting again. I felt it on my run yesterday- Seriously? NOW? I thought you were all better. Now I’m completely thrown off my schedule- should I run tomorrow? Get on the Stairmaster instead? What is happening to me?
Oh, and my digestion decided to take a nosedive as well. Could it be stress? Perhaps. Yesterday I was so stressed that I ate an entire box of crackers- granted- they were “healthy” crackers made with almond flour, but you’re still not supposed to eat an entire box in one sitting. (Ironically- my gut felt much better today. I guess it turns out crackers really stop you up. Maybe I need to go on a “cracker only”diet. hahaha). (Sigh).
*Maybe I just need to pull back and not focus on myself so much— ACK NO DON’T DO THAT! The world is a dumpster fire!!! Focus inward! Inward!*
Anyway… last night I slept horribly and feel like absolute crap today! There’s only one thing to do… as Laura Vanderkam says, the adult’s version of sleeping in is going to bed early. I’ve let my family know I’ll be getting in bed at 8 pm, and I mean it!
What do you do when you need a reset? Is eating an entire box of crackers ever a good idea?
Top photo by Vladislav Bychkov on Unsplash
22 Responses
I have gone to bed before 8pm on days where I’m just too full of …EVERYTHING.. to deal with it. Take the time to pamper yourself! Sorry about the hamstring.
Maybe an xray for Ms Muffin to see if she ate something bad that is sitting in there? ( hair ties, rubber band, twist tie, the list is endless of things cats can hurt themselves with).
Good thoughts to you and your pets!
Thank you! I actually had a decent night’s sleep. Sleeping well makes everything else possible!
No Muffin no! Get better sweetie. The world needs your purrs and cuddles, and you need cat crack.
TBH when Stepdog was sick we pretty much let everything else go, and spent all of our time worrying about her. “I want my life back” just about sums it up. Eating an entire box of crackers is a very good idea under these circumstances, and yes I have personal experience in this area.
I was hoping someone would recommend the cracker therapy route! Thank you!
Noooooooo!!!! Jenny this all sounds so stressful! I hope everything clears up soon. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Suzanne! At least I slept and I feel much better.
sorry to hear Muffin is not eating again, that must be the cause of your stress, that triggered stress eating. I can relate. when I’m anxious and stresses, I need crunchy things in my mouse.
a good night of sleep is definitely my go to solution when I’m feeling crappy.
Yes, why does eating crunchy things feel so good? I wish I felt like eating kale when I’m stressed!
Oh jeez, I’m sorry about all of this, Jenny! It never rains but it pours, it seems. Hope all turns around and SOON.
Thank you Nicole! I know- why does everything have to happen at the same time? Things have to turn around at some point.
Ugh this all sounds so stressful! I hope all of this resolves but that you can give yourself some grace in the meantime! Going to bed early always feels really good — I pretty much always am in bed by 8 on weekdays but last night I went to bed even earlier because I knew I wanted to wake up before 5 am today for my run.
It did feel good to get in bed early! Just knowing that I had all those hours to sleep helped me relax. I should do it more often.
Oh no, Jenny. How horrible and stressful.
I have a lot of experience with eating emotionally and I don’t think it’s all bad. I think it’s something that we as humans have evolved to do. Forget what our ancestors did…they did NOT LIVE in the 21st century. It really is like comparing apples and oranges. Plus. we need fuel in stressful times and crackers are filling. Show yourself lots of grace in this stressful period. As Nicole would say, there will be a time after this.
When the kids were little and certain things started to feel like they were getting out of control I would often declare a “Hard Reset” where we try to go back to the basics in terms of chores, food, etc. It was really helpful for me as a mother to feel like we could start over with a bit of a clean slate.
I love going to bed before 10 pm when I’m tired enough. My issue is usually falling asleep not staying asleep so unless I’m really tired, it doesn’t work well for me to go to bed before 10:00/10:30, but a few times a month I’m in bed, asleep before 9:30 and I LOVE IT!
Yes, it really, really helped to get in bed early like that. I felt like I was taking care of myself, and that felt really good. I read for a while to relax and then as soon as I felt sleep I turned off the light and went to sleep! I can’t say I slept the entire night with no interruptions, but it was much, much better than the last few nights I’ve had.
Sadly I usually cannot fall asleep much earlier than I do normally, even if I really need the catch-up sleep. Last night I fell asleep a little earlier than normal but then I woke up much earlier than normal. Harumph.
But it sounds like you were able to get the sleep you need to face today with more reserves.
I really hope Muffin makes a turn around. Having a sick cat is so stressful. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
Oh dear, that is a rough combination. I really hope Muffin starts to feel better soon. I am sure the stress of wondering what is wrong contributed to your digestion issues. Sometimes a person just needs to eat a box of crackers or whatever their equivalent of that is (for me it would be a big bowl of ice cream or a large serving of chips/salsa/guac).
When I need a reset, sleep is usually a big part of that reset. I had a really rough week last week so when I got home on Wednesday, I prioritized rest. I put Will down around 7 and then laid in bed until Phil and Paul got home from soccer at 8. I helped get Paul to bed and then went to bed. Phil was like – what is wrong? I do not normally go to bed that early but it’s what my body needed.
That’s really hard, I’m so sorry. Things always bloody well come all at once, don’t they. An early night is always my go-to reset. Plus chocolate, of course …
Cats are the worst when it comes to being sick. Our dog is SO DRAMATIC about everything. There’s a small pop next door and she’s crawling in between our legs trying to hide. She has a small heat spot on her leg and she’s licking it as if it’s her full-time job. She has a small pebble in her foot and she limps for weeks. But cats. Man, they have to be frothing at the mouth or bleeding in the box for you to know something is wrong. If she’s not eating, they need to figure out why not! Ugh. I’m so sorry. Hugs to you. Hugs to Muffin. And here’s to a good night sleep.
This sounds so stressful. I have no advice, but I agree that the vet better get involved here. Something is not right. I don’t doubt that your insides are reacting to the stress. I hope you were able to sleep well. A good nights sleep tends to make any situation more manageable IMO.
When I need to reset- I think a long walk or alone time cleaning an ignored space in my house would help me cope.
Good luck. Thinking of you.
TMI warning. When Mulder was diagnosed, I had diarrhea for 2 weeks. I felt better once we had a plan to get him well again. When his lymphoma came back, so did the diarrhea. It’s probably stress. 🙁 I’m sorry.
Poor Muffin and poor YOU. It’s so stressful when our animals are sick and we don’t know what’s wrong. I hope things have gotten better, and I love the idea of going to bed early being the adult version of sleeping in. I LOVE when I am really tired and just decide to go to bed at, like, 9pm (which is early for me, sigh). It’s so decadent!
I am not sure if stress-eating a whole box of crackers is a good idea, but it happens!