Nifty phrase
We can’t avoid pain but we don’t have to suffer.
We talked about my ability to reframe a negative experience into a net positive one. Useful skill.
Example, my “failed” poly relationship led to me writing down what I consider positive and negative traits to look for in potential friends and partners.
This morning I felt some anger. Partially at myself for forgetting to take off the dog’s diaper before he went outside. I put on a new one when he got back in, fed him, and shortly thereafter he peed in it again while in the house. That was the last one we had so now I an going to worry until we get the reusable ones.
I also had less sleep because my wife set her alarm extra early, even though she went to bed later than me. I was starting to consistently get 7 hours of sleep until today. She’s been having issues going to bed on time, in part due to staying up playing games. Either destiny 2 or overwatch. I don’t blame the games, let’s be clear. If it wasn’t those games, it would be a phone game. If that wasn’t an option, it would be social media.
There will always be something. These are all avoidance tactics. She doesn’t want to face the uncomfortable things like all the school work she has put off, or working out, or any number of things that take more work and have a perceived risk of failure. I get it. Sometimes at work I’ll hit a tough issue or just feel tired, and find myself ducking out to scroll through FB or Reddit. I’m getting better at catching myself. Ultimately I’m better at disciplining myself. I’m not always successful, but that doesn’t mean I quit trying.
Depression sucks. I’ll face it now and then. The vast majority of the time it happens, it is because something is going wrong in my life. The last episode was because of the drama my sis in law brought to my home, making it not safe.
My wife is blaming it on the iud she had installed. It is possible that can contribute, but I don’t think that means she should just throw up her hands and give in. That demon needs to be fought. I know it well.
I’m helping for now by working to take away her distractions. This requires me to “be hard” as my father once viewed as a positive trait in my sister’s ex. I’m starting with helping her fix her sleep schedule by restrictioning internet access on her desktop computer after 10. I can’t rely on that sort of tactic forever though. She needs to build her discipline. I won’t always be there.
I had a decent Thanksgiving. Drove down to SC with the wife. Listened to Alex Verus book 6 and started 7. We learned that driving the Wednesday before Thanksgiving sucks. So we will want to leave Tuesday or obscenely early Wednesday morning. Like 2 or 3 am.
My sister seems to be getting nicer overall. Went biking with my uncle. My calves aren’t used to long distance riding anymore. Felt it initially in my knees but the calves were what became sore a couple days later.
One thing I’m dreading is the prospect of driving down to FL to see my mother in law. Too much drama, especially for such a long drive. And dealing with Sammy was kind of annoying. And not cheap.
Warm-up with more pushups
Mini circuit
Goblet squat x15
Box jump x15 ( had issue being able to softly land, did tuck jumps instead)..10 min
Sprints
At your own pace, x16:
Sledgehammer
Tire thrusters
Upright rows
Dips (tricep started cramping)
Trx squat jumps
“Man makers”( pushups with dumbbells, then single arm plank row, then stand and bicep curl to shoulder press)
Next
Wall squat with heavy dumbbells held overhead…class in a line. 1 person sprinting 3 times back and forth. Weight holds changed over time. Back on floor, held press. Then held with legs 6 inches off floor. Then leg lifts. Then short flutter kicks to 95. Then long flutter kicks to 65. Post workout stretch.
(I can’t remember everything, writing down what I do recall)
5-10 min warm-up run/dynamic movements
Wall squat with slam ball side to side x20
Bent over rows, yellow kb until partner finished wall squat..10 min total
Tire flip around gym with partner, high knees or March in place while waiting, 10 min
Circuit, 2 min stations:
Trx rows, neutral and vertical grip alternate
Wall toss with 20lb slam ball
Multi-person situp with large PVC pipe filled with water
Repeat circuit twice
Suicide runs, mountain climbers during downtime
So I finally broke things off. Didn’t go the way I expected but that rarely happens anyway. Shortly after my therapist appointment she goes into a meltdown on my wife and I. My wife didn’t handle it All too well. Not too sure I did either, but it did seem any attempt to descalate the situation was met with more attacks. Apparently she blew up on her husband too, so this may have been unavoidable.
Things settled down a bit later after she had a doc appointment that put her on anesthesia. My wife cleaned up their house after getting her sewing stuff.
By Saturday there was 1 more altercation. I was cleaning up the yard of fallen plants at the time. She sort of apologized, then brought up the Spectre of breaking up. I thought on it a bit, then followed through on it.
It was not a happy relationship. Whatever good stuff was there was gone. I feel a little bad about it…but also relieved? Even towards the start the start there were drama moments. I was already in it at the time, but I should really been more wary about the J drama. Even if they weren’t involved at the time, the behavior is a red flag.
There are always at least 2 sides to a story. She painted him as this guy with major emotional regulation issues, but how much of it did she contribute to? Towards the end with us, she used every opportunity to point out something wrong with either of us.
When that is the majority of the relationship, there is no point to it.
So in the future when it comes to starting new relationships, whether poly or not, pay careful attention to how one speaks of their friends, enemies, and lovers. Also be aware if they had a traumatic childhood.
Talked about the Amber thing at length
Take away is I need to take care of myself. Focus on what I like about myself. I define my positive qualities. I have only get one me.
I can state consequences of actions without trying to control anyone. I.e if a person is going to move away, I wouldn’t be able to sustain a relationship. Doing so does not mean I disapprove of their action. If they view it that way, that is them creating their own meaning.
12 kb swing purple
10 squat purple
3 sets
Bird dogs 5 sec hold each side,x 5
Sit-ups x10
Bent over rows 27.5 x10
3 set
Face pulls 60lb
Rows 100lb
3 set
Pulldowns 100lb
Bucep curl 60lb
Med ball marching twists x10 a side
Jumping jacks x30
Kb deadlift slow extension 4 second x6, purple
2 set
Shoulder press 20lbx10
Trx vertical and horizontal grip x6
3 sey
Mountain climbers x50
Plank jacks x30
3 set
Kb lift to chin front (name?) Yellow
2 set
lionwolfbird 