The article that struck me most was one on Appreciating the Present, which is hard to do in a society that is so goal-oriented and focused on the future.

I happen to be in a place where there will be some time between now and our next actual FET (frozen embryo transfer), perhaps several months, so this discussion is timely for me. While I have been gifted with more time to prepare myself mentally and physically for our next round (see, that’s me. goal-oriented, focused on the future), surely I should be using some of that time to appreciate what I have right now, right?

So, what do I have right now? I have a med-free existence with no physical restrictions placed on what I do, what I eat, what I drink, where I go. It is springtime and I am in love (as always) with a great husband and blessed with some very cool friends. That’s not nothing.

I had to laugh when I read Kami’s post yesterday over at Are We There Yet? Apparently I am not the only one who is trying to do a better job appreciating the here and now. Kami writes about enjoying her first bike ride of the spring:

As I was riding and realizing how much fun I was having I thought, “Hmmm . . . maybe I will blog about this.” I started composing the blog in my mind. Then I realized, instead of enjoying the moment I was telling a story about the moment. “Craziness!”, I told myself and brought my attention back to the feel of the wind, the view going by, the people I would pass and say “hi” to. I wondered if one or more of those people was trying to conceive and here I am with a pregnant belly – not only disturbing their quiet walk, but also shouting a friendly, “Hello!” “Hmmm . . . maybe I should blog about this” and off my mind went.

And I admit, I do this all the time. And like Kami, I need to get better at separating my life and my blogable life. Aside from that, here are some other things that I am trying to do to appreciate this time between cycles, before meds, before the testing, before the stress and anticipation of another try:

1.) I am giving yoga another shot. I tried it perhaps a year ago and left feeling sore and impatient. I must be in a different place now because I left yesterday’s session relaxed, renewed, still a little sore, but in a good way. I appreciated the forced meditation aspect of it and the constant reminders to be mindful of how my body felt and how my breathing sounded.

2.) I am amping up my time at the gym and outside. Perhaps I became frustrated with yoga last year because I was trying to use it as a replacement rather than a supplement for other activities. On days when I am able, I am trying to hit the gym once in the morning and once after work. When that’s not possible, I am trying to take at least a 20 minute walk outside. Have you seen it outside? It is gorgeous! And for once, a sunny day isn’t followed by a week of rain. The forecast for the next several days sounds glorious and I intend to take full advantage of it.

3.) I am spending more time with family and friends. We should get together. Oh yes, let’s get together. When? Oh I dunno, I’m awfully busy…..Do you do this? I do this. And it’s not untrue, but I am trying to work harder at finding time to be with people I value. If not now, then when? And pre-cycle feels like a good time to do this. Somehow, invites for cocktails or happy hour always get scheduled faster.

And like Kami, I will try not to think about blogging about these things as I do them.

Post from: Blisstree

Appreciating the Present