We have arrived at this place. I remember my mother saying once, when she was much younger than I am now, that the moment she got into bed everything began to ache. I had no idea what she meant as a teenager, but i have remember the comment. Now, at 52, even on days when I don’t ride a bike, lift, stretch or walk aggressively for miles, I lie in bed and I feel nearly every muscle and tendon (and maybe especially my feet!).
I assume they are saying thank you, which is what I reply in return. These bodies of ours, regardless of age, are amazing. Let’s appreciate them—while working on our balance because we will all need that.
Im so glad you are off and away to visit M! Heal and enjoy every (wonderful, aching) moment!
Feb 12, 2023·edited Feb 12, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
This past week I left my phone at home...TWICE. I had to work hard to keep from judging myself and saying, "OMG, senior moment" or some other stereoypical meanness towards myself. A few times I've left on lights upstairs and I really felt disturbed by these lapses (and actually worry that I may be developing dementia), as I'm one who is so careful and all about follow through and driven by closure. AND yet...here I am and trying (and trying) to be a touch kinder myself when these moments occur as well as reminding myself, "Yes, Elena, you ARE going to be 60 in a few weeks" and just give myself a break.
I just found your substack and cannot tell you how much I need this ! I could sit here all day and catch up on all the your writing before today ! I am 64 and still working fulltime as a director for a large healthcare organization. I'm likely the oldest woman in the department and am feeling my body .... yes to falls and sore feet :) I think I just found my "therapy" group! :) thank you!!!!
Dear Val, hope by now you are on the road to full recovery so that you can enjoy your family visit to the max! Sending healing vibes your way! ❤️🩹
These days my hand hovers over the railing leading to the subway station too. A few years back, on the eve of a long-awaited vacay to the Pacific NW, I went rushing down the subway stairs, eager to get home to finish packing. In my excitement, as I neared the last step I missed a step and landed HARD on my right foot.
The injury didn’t seem serious enough for me to cancel the trip (and the humiliation of my forced landing seemed worse than the physical pain), but post-vacay I found myself in weeks of PT, as I had indeed sprained my ankle.
These days most of the exercises in my routine are moves from all the PT sessions I’ve had over the years. I look at them not as pain management or prevention, but as a practice to improve strength, flexibility, mobility and, oh yes, balance. I try to see this routine the way dancers approach their daily barre exercises. It’s not dancing, but it prepares you to dance.
Last, probably the most important takeaway from my PT sessions is my therapist’s reminder that healing takes time, and to be patient. This advice actually helps me to stay the course rather than give up. Fully confident that you will stay the course too!
Scars on my left knee and holes several pairs of jeans are permanent evidence of my falling into the woman down club. I focus first on the hit to my dignity and then any damage to my clothes, which allows me to avoid the fear of greater injury. I’ve been lucky to suffer only jangled alignment for several days after, a reminder to respect the message to slow down and act my age in a mindful way. Minimizing the risks and consequences of falls is the biggest stumbling block.
Hi Val—you’ve surfaced, as they say, the shock and shame of falls. You are so not alone… big incentive to be mindful but the mind will wander. Humbling and interesting to be vulnerable this way. Another kind of Sisterhood… eager to read you on life in Japan with M…
Val: I hate that you suffered, but I love that you wrote this. The realization that the elderly folks you were desperate to get ahead of were younger than you... I don't believe it, but the comedy is 👌
Getting old just plain sucks. My brain wants to do all sorts of activities and my creaky body which sounds like an old hardwood floor is like hell no! Hope you’re on the mend!
Thats a huge trauma to your entire body taking a fall like you did. If you don’t already keep arnica on hand, I highly recommend it. Arnica cream on the places that will bruise or are sore and arnica pellets under the tongue for your general energetic trauma. Can’t recommend it highly enough! Look into it and consider recommending it to others. All natural and a bit of a miracle. Helps with recovery on all levels!
We have arrived at this place. I remember my mother saying once, when she was much younger than I am now, that the moment she got into bed everything began to ache. I had no idea what she meant as a teenager, but i have remember the comment. Now, at 52, even on days when I don’t ride a bike, lift, stretch or walk aggressively for miles, I lie in bed and I feel nearly every muscle and tendon (and maybe especially my feet!).
I assume they are saying thank you, which is what I reply in return. These bodies of ours, regardless of age, are amazing. Let’s appreciate them—while working on our balance because we will all need that.
Im so glad you are off and away to visit M! Heal and enjoy every (wonderful, aching) moment!
Valerie Monroe grows more ambitious. Good for you, Val. G0 for it. You have years left.
This past week I left my phone at home...TWICE. I had to work hard to keep from judging myself and saying, "OMG, senior moment" or some other stereoypical meanness towards myself. A few times I've left on lights upstairs and I really felt disturbed by these lapses (and actually worry that I may be developing dementia), as I'm one who is so careful and all about follow through and driven by closure. AND yet...here I am and trying (and trying) to be a touch kinder myself when these moments occur as well as reminding myself, "Yes, Elena, you ARE going to be 60 in a few weeks" and just give myself a break.
I just found your substack and cannot tell you how much I need this ! I could sit here all day and catch up on all the your writing before today ! I am 64 and still working fulltime as a director for a large healthcare organization. I'm likely the oldest woman in the department and am feeling my body .... yes to falls and sore feet :) I think I just found my "therapy" group! :) thank you!!!!
Dear Val, hope by now you are on the road to full recovery so that you can enjoy your family visit to the max! Sending healing vibes your way! ❤️🩹
These days my hand hovers over the railing leading to the subway station too. A few years back, on the eve of a long-awaited vacay to the Pacific NW, I went rushing down the subway stairs, eager to get home to finish packing. In my excitement, as I neared the last step I missed a step and landed HARD on my right foot.
The injury didn’t seem serious enough for me to cancel the trip (and the humiliation of my forced landing seemed worse than the physical pain), but post-vacay I found myself in weeks of PT, as I had indeed sprained my ankle.
These days most of the exercises in my routine are moves from all the PT sessions I’ve had over the years. I look at them not as pain management or prevention, but as a practice to improve strength, flexibility, mobility and, oh yes, balance. I try to see this routine the way dancers approach their daily barre exercises. It’s not dancing, but it prepares you to dance.
Last, probably the most important takeaway from my PT sessions is my therapist’s reminder that healing takes time, and to be patient. This advice actually helps me to stay the course rather than give up. Fully confident that you will stay the course too!
Feeling your pain. Literally. A good reason to carry a cane is to knock people out of your way!
Scars on my left knee and holes several pairs of jeans are permanent evidence of my falling into the woman down club. I focus first on the hit to my dignity and then any damage to my clothes, which allows me to avoid the fear of greater injury. I’ve been lucky to suffer only jangled alignment for several days after, a reminder to respect the message to slow down and act my age in a mindful way. Minimizing the risks and consequences of falls is the biggest stumbling block.
Hi Val—you’ve surfaced, as they say, the shock and shame of falls. You are so not alone… big incentive to be mindful but the mind will wander. Humbling and interesting to be vulnerable this way. Another kind of Sisterhood… eager to read you on life in Japan with M…
Val, thank you for your writing. It reminds me that there is still a way to carve out a sweet and authentic place on the internet.
Val: I hate that you suffered, but I love that you wrote this. The realization that the elderly folks you were desperate to get ahead of were younger than you... I don't believe it, but the comedy is 👌
Getting old just plain sucks. My brain wants to do all sorts of activities and my creaky body which sounds like an old hardwood floor is like hell no! Hope you’re on the mend!
Great opportunity to discuss every postmenopausal woman’s fracture risk with fall and importance of taking care of our bones AND appearance.
Thats a huge trauma to your entire body taking a fall like you did. If you don’t already keep arnica on hand, I highly recommend it. Arnica cream on the places that will bruise or are sore and arnica pellets under the tongue for your general energetic trauma. Can’t recommend it highly enough! Look into it and consider recommending it to others. All natural and a bit of a miracle. Helps with recovery on all levels!
And, get some rest! You need it. 💗
Oh, no. Well, no wonder your hip hurts. Jeeze. So sorry.