[LiteraryLark]

Same time last year? What has happened in a year?

Same time last year...exactly today is the one year anniversary of moving out on my own for the first time...Since the same time last year I have lost almost 55 pounds...Since last year I've suffered a house fire, a loss of a cat, but I have also found a new home and adopted a sweet lovable kitten, I've been on my first real vacation in three years, I've accepted a job in my career of choice (medical field), I now have experience paying rent, bills, buying and preparing/cooking true meals not just fast food, I go for walks around the town with my wagon, I have one semester left of college before I graduate, my new job has many opportunities for advancement including paying for additional degrees and has an impressive benefit package, I've learned some hard life lessons and have dated two people (who ended up not right for me), I adopted from the shelter for the first time and will never regret it AND decided that extra money will go towards the shelter as my new top charity fund, I've gone above and beyond to take care of my car and it should last me for many years........I could go on but that's been my year so far.

[Soupe du jour]

I'm sorry for your losses, LiteraryLark, but happy to read about your many successes and high points this past year. Wow! You really did it! I'm sure you must be so proud of all of those things. Realizing one's own strength and ability to succeed are among the greatest of feelings.

I looked and exactly one year ago today I was taking lovely photos of last year's flowers and herbs I planted. At that time, I had been living in my new country (Czech Republic aka CZ) for 6 months after a huge move from the USA. Now it's a year and a half and my husband and I are on the cusp of finally looking for a permanent home (in CZ). Given the huge undertaking, last year, my mental health was remarkably good. Only in the last week, on a trip to France, have I become symptomatic, but I have insight, which is good. I look forward to the return to CZ tomorrow. Stress will continue, but like you, I will adjust (and hopefully prosper) again. Knowing where "home" is is a comforting feeling.

[splitimage]

Wow Literary Lark, you've really accomplished a lot in the past year.

So have I. A year ago I was in an apartment that I was struggling to afford and trying to find a room mate that would let me stay. I didn't succeed and had to sell off 95% of my stuff and move. I've moved twice, most recently 3 months ago when I was lucky enough to get into subsidized housing, which means I can afford my rent, and still have a little money left for extras. I started working part time, for the first time since 2014, and I love my job, and it's given me the experience I need to apply for a better paid role within the same organization. I've lost 30 lbs and am still on track to lose more. I sometimes feel like I'm still catching my breath, from all the change, but it's good.

[downandlonely]

This past year I celebrated 5 years working for my company. It is the longest, most stable job of my life. They bought me a FitBit to celebrate. I also got a significant raise.

In the past year, I also got a booster Covid shot. But when I traveled to India and attended a large outdoor party without a mask, I contracted Covid. I had to stay in India an extra 10 days before I could test negative on the PCR test and return to the US. I have lost a few pounds.

I have also started a chapter of Diverse Abilities, an employee resource group for people with disabilities in my company. I have told coworkers about my mental illness and am advocating for people with disabilities.

I also started three new volunteer jobs. I am mentoring a high school student whose family does not have much money, but I am going to help her be the first generation in her family to get into college. I also help facilitate support groups for LGBT teens and support groups for adults with mental illnesses through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The volunteer roles fulfill me and make me feel like I have a purpose.

[Mountaindewed]

Last year at this time I was in a crap ton of pain from my revisions top surgery. Still getting used to my new house. In between therapists and I had no medical team set up. And I was just moody all the time because I was still dealing with PMS each month.

Now I have even more medical stuff going on that I'm working on. but my chest looks awesome and I've had a hysterectomy which really stabalized my mental health. I have a good therapist and an extensive medical team. My sister is expecting her 3rd baby and we didn't think she'd ever have another.

I mean, I'm not necessairly happy at the moment but only because I cant get the medical side of things under control.

[divine1966]

So much could happen in one year. You had so much happened literary lark! What an accomplishment!

Last year same time we bought a new house. Moved. Bought a lot of new stuff as place is much bigger, decorated and got a lot done. My daughter got married and 9 months later my grandson was born! All in one year!

GREAT question. Last year, I was looking for an apt. to get away from my bad apt. situation. That's pretty much what I remember. I didn't have much going on. I was in a dead-end volunteer gig, which I've finally let go of. I've worked 3 retail jobs and quit them all. Not a win. But I learned retail isn't for me, and that I need some real therapy. And I'm proud of myself for being persistent about looking for work despite setbacks.
Today, I'm signing paperwork and doing loan counseling for school that I'll attend in September. I have a boyfriend (holy crap, batman). I successfully completed an ASL 1 class, and went to all of the classes but one. I'm volunteering as a receptionist. I'm actively working towards becoming a certified peer. My therapist's office closed a few months ago - imo, it was a stellar clinic that practiced what they preached and truly served their clients. But, I also think its a good thing to be moving on. Exactly today, I'm filling out an intake evaluation for a new pdoc and yesterday I made an appt with a T for next week.

[lizardlady]

One year ago today I was on vacation. Today I'm on permanent vacation. Today is my first day of retirement!

[eskielover]

Last year I was caring for my very sick horse Izzy, who I had to have put to sleep last September. That was a week after I lost my adopted doggie (Googie) to a neurological illness. I spent the rest of last year just dealing with my broken heart & loving my cat & doggie I still have. January I started working for 4 months doing night foal watch at the amazing TB farm just 1/4 mile down the road from my farm. 35 pregnant mares to keep watch on & call the delivery crew when labor started after getting them into the foaling stall that had heating, oxygen for any difficult births. My first mare to deliver in Jan was in the middle of a 9 inch snow storm at 3am. What an amazing learning experience. Working 5 days a week from 8pm to 4am or 5am was pretty much all I did except sleep the rest of the time.

We had a major hail storm in May that damaged all the roofs around here. Have spent since may arranging a new roof, & some major clearing of overgrown brush & trees on my farm & caring for my last eskie doggie who is 16 & hasn't been doing very well lately. I think should just run an animal nursing home on my farm. It is what I am most practiced at now in my life.

I was mowing the 5 acres around the house & barn where I had kept my horse. Barn Kitty (BK) jumped into my truck & rode home with me after I invited her to come home with me since I didn't want to drive up to the barn every day to feed her. When I was done mowing for the year.