Swim in your own lane

[bunnymom]

I heard something on the radio yesterday and she said "swim in your own lane"... she made reference to Gold Medal Winner (swimmer) Michael Phelps and said the only way that he won his events was doing the best in his lane and not comparing his progress against the other swimmers as he swam his race.

I have thought a lot about this and I am way past the age of comparing myself to my neighbors as far as possessions, marriage, kids, etc. but I do however, find myself measuring myself against "the old well me". I have constant expectations about what I will be able to do and what I will look like at the "lower dose". Retiring hasn't been quite the relief that I thought it would be....

So friends to live a joyful life I think we swim in our own lanes living just one day at a time and do what we can to have happiness for that one day and cut way back on our expectations.

Wishing you all well,

Terri

5.5 PMR 2 years and 5 months

[CT-5012]

I was having a rant one day (hundreds of years ago in my teens) . An uncle quietly took me to one side and said “if you want to be happy in life you must learn to flower where you have been planted” much the same thing really. All good wishes.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to CT-5012]

Even when it was on the muck heap ...

[enan-illuc]

Bunnymom,

Thank you for the great advice! It is very true and the comments on the "lower dose" reminded me there is more in life than just PMR/GCA. Starting today I will try to swim in my own lane and make the most of everyday.

[bunnymom in reply to enan-illuc]

You will find more happiness there. ❤️

[yogabonnie]

I love that!!! thanks. Great advice!

[Pennythedug]

That is such a good way to look at our lives just now

[ConventCassie]

Good advice. That’s kinda a journey in itself. But coming to Peace with this is more than half the battle. Thanks for the reminder

[SheffieldJane]

Inspiring Terri thanks, ok to tread water in your own lane sometimes too?

[bunnymom in reply to SheffieldJane]

Whatever it takes to stay afloat!

[piglette]

I was swimming today and someone much younger and probably fitter than me turned up, did a load of exercises in front of the mirror then got into the swimming pool and did different strokes up and down. I must confess I did try to keep up with her, so I am probably not the right person to be a Michael Phelps, I am obviously unecessarily competitive! I do feel rather stiff now, so serves me right.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

keep it up, just take it easy. I look forward to the water and when I get in I feel so different and then a gentle ,relaxing stroke, sometimes just pile it on but measured, just remember where you came from! John-

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

I love swimming, but have not been able to go for about a year due to a rather nasty lesion appearing on my leg after a hip op. Nearly two inches deep and eight inches long. I had to have an op for it as they thought it was that flesh eating disease. Everyone is denying any knowledge of why it happened! I don’t know if I have the strength to go through lawyers. It still looks like a shark has taken a bite out of my leg.

[Blearyeyed in reply to piglette]

Your proof that swimming in your own lane means you can still go for it within your limits.

And as long as you push yourself within healthy limits the mental energy boost of , " yes, I still did that" , can keep you going in the dark moments ( even if you did pay the price the next day for it!!)

Well done , after all those complications , getting back in the pool and trying to beat the pool diva is such a cool achievement. Kudos piglette!

[bunnymom]

Ah what great timing.

[Constance13]

“Swim in my own lane” - I love it! 💥 😎🍸🍾🍷

[Suetum]

Add to that we should not compare ourselves to others on this forum. Each of us has our own lane

[bunnymom in reply to Suetum]

Oh boy that is so true.

[S4ndy]

Well said! The road to happiness and contentment is paved with no expectations

[Jackoh]

Think that is very good advice bunnymom. I think I constantly compare my progress with GCAPMR with others on the forum unfortunately- noting when others started on their journey and are now way further on in their reductions than me. So a good reminder to me to just stop it and know that we are all individual with different problems and different journeys to undertake. Thank you.

[bunnymom in reply to Jackoh]

I find I do that too as we get so little info anywhere else but we have to be careful don't we? There is no typical I find.

[Hidden]

I really like that Terri 🏊🏻‍♀️ I sometimes get stressed when l can’t do what others do but think l’ve achieved more than l expected this year but Swim in You Own Lane 🏊🏻‍♀️ is Priceless!

[Blearyeyed]

What an amazingly insightful post.

I particularly relate to the your observation that often, it's not just others we try to compete against but our image of our old selves.

It made me wonder that perhaps my old self may have been able to do alot more physically , but my new self , with all the problems it has to overcome daily , would beat that old spring chicken hands down on a adversity survival course.

We may not be able to do as much , or in the way we used to, but we are all world champions in mental survival.

Thanks for the post, and keep being a gang of happy swimmers.

[Slowdown]

I've just had a vision of all 6,955 members swimming down the river I can see outside my window - we make a wonderfully colourful sight, and we're all chatting as we go ...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Slowdown]

And the river would overflow...

[Slowdown in reply to PMRpro]

no chance, it's a mere thread at the moment - but it's tidal so timing is important

[bunnymom in reply to Slowdown]

Hahaha and we are totally not self conscious in our swim wear 😎

[Morg8Mindy]

Hi PMR people,

I've been paddling along now without the Prednisolone floating aid for over a year now. I don't want to gloat 'cos the blasted Pmr is still there in my neck,shoulders and lower ribs but I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks to everyone for understanding and contributing- you have all made a positive difference to my life.

I was diagnosed with PMR in Dec 2014- the GP had been indifferent but a Locum Dr took a couple of blood tests and I was referred to a Consultant- he gave me an explanatory leaflet and told me what the treatment was. I was only 56 at the time so the dear lady on the leaflet looked shockingly old!

I would like to mention the late Laura Mitchell's relaxation Method which helps to alleviate pain and tension which builds up for 'fight or flight 'situations .I was taught this to help cope with child birth in the 80's and it also works very well before getting up first thing in the morning and at any time you feel stiff during the day.

There may be a CD available I'm not sure, but you start by pulling your shoulders down.... and then go through all of the joints taking them out of the tense positions.

(Red wine helps a bit too)