Observations About Conversation

I found myself sitting at home alone for another evening and thinking about the conversations in my life. I spend my days, primarily, greeting and serving customers and rarely connecting on any true level. Many of my evenings are spent at home with a sweet little dog. She and I have a deep connection, but true conversations between us are limited by our "language barrier." I speak with my daughter nearly every day. Again, we have a connection and, while her conversational abilities are slowly improving, her special needs limit the depth of conversation we can enjoy together.

A few times each week, I have the opportunity to enjoy true conversation with some of my friends. While some of these conversations center around the challenges each is facing on a particular day, some of them are deeper and more uplifting. I have found myself longing for, even craving, these deeper, more inspiring conversations.

Wednesdays are some of the days I can look forward to these more uplifting conversations. However, today, I was unable to participate in them as I have grown accustomed to doing. I was lounging around longing for these deeper conversations and thinking about what a difference these connections make in my life. 

I began to think of the times I have heard others complain about the lack of adult conversation in their lives. Usually this complaint comes from Stay-at-Home Moms whose lives are challenging and whose contributions are often under valued (but that's another subject). Having been a Stay-at-Home Mom for a few years, I agree that adult conversation is necessary to remain sane and to be able to thrive surrounded by children all day. 

I have discovered another time when such true conversation is in short supply. As a single woman, currently living alone, these conversational connections are often few and far between. I hope that in recognizing this, I will be more assertive in seeking out such conversations. 

I wonder if men experience similar longings for true conversation. 

Chores

I was really struggling, in part due to recent depression, with completing tasks/chores at home. It's only me at home right now and I lacked the motivation to fight the depression at home after fighting it to get to and through work. A friend suggested doing a challenge with me and I figured it couldn't hurt.

Each day for a week, she and I and another friend agreed on a set of household tasks that needed to be completed that day. If we succeeded each day, we'd get together and celebrate.

It worked! I accomplished so much that week. Since then, I've found success through simply sending my list to the second friend each day and she is doing the same. I feel some accountability this way and am more productive at home.

This increased productivity has also improved my mood and is assisting in overcoming the depression. I'm very blessed.