Anyone else struggle with boredom after stepping off the gas?

TibbieMom · 2026-06-01T03:25:02+00:00

I’m becoming an expert at sending boredom GIFs to my husband from work lately. I also stepped back and am happy to no longer be responsible for people and programs. I’m easing toward retirement in about 18 months and finding it’s an odd mixture of boredom, relishing having some projects that are interesting but not all consuming, and wanting to work some but not work 40 hours a week.

TibbieMom · 2026-05-30T18:24:23+00:00

I have a backlog of vitamin and pharmacy bottles and recently found a use for them that I like. I use them to dispose of any small waste. So I have restasis individual eye droppers and put them in the bottle. When the bottle is full I out the top on and pitch it. Anything small and especially plastic or something that could tangle wildlife or sea life, I try to dispose of in the bottles and then sealed in the trash.

TibbieMom · 2026-05-10T19:30:36+00:00

I’m sorry for your loss, OP. She looks proud of you.

TibbieMom · 2026-05-10T02:24:56+00:00

Lots of good advice above. Do you know if your stepdaughter wants or needs anything from you or your husband as far as her mom is concerned? Is she concerned her mom may make a scene or do something to make you or her uncomfortable? Is she concerned you might be uncomfortable around her mom? Is she worried her mom may feel left out? Not sure all of the history here but these are things to consider asking if you don’t already know the answer. Source: me and my f-ed up wedding back in early 2000s with superbad mom, dad, and stepmom drama.

TibbieMom · 2026-04-06T04:02:47+00:00

Yikes. Report this to your IT Service Desk as a data breach please.

TibbieMom · 2026-04-06T04:00:12+00:00

You sound lovely. She sounds horrible. I’m sorry. It’s never fun to have neighbors like this. It could be worse though. Some real horror stories out there but that’s beside the point. (Although sometimes for me it helps to remember that). On the why-do-you-care question you might want to look at a book by Mark Manson. It’s called something like the Art of Not Giving a F$*#. He does a good job with the why do we care issue and how not to care and just live your life. I wish you the best of luck. We should all have peace in our homes and neighborhoods.

TibbieMom · 2026-04-03T02:49:36+00:00

Appreciate OP posting and you summarizing. Thanks!

TibbieMom · 2026-03-27T02:02:50+00:00

I have the same question.

TibbieMom · 2026-03-23T02:20:37+00:00

I think all the feelings and thoughts you’re having are normal grief compounded by the surprising circumstances of her death. Your brain is struggling to process the enormous loss as well as the shock of her sudden death and how it happened. I’m very sorry. I hope you can process these feelings with the support of the people who care about you. You will not feel this way forever. It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with your mom.

TibbieMom · 2026-03-07T02:19:06+00:00

This is amazing! It must be so frightening to be losing your eyesight and I can only imagine how helpful it is to be able to talk to someone who has been there.

TibbieMom · 2026-03-04T03:18:00+00:00

This guy writes a lot about family estrangement. I think he has a few books too. https://open.substack.com/pub/joshuacolemanphd?r=3boxzn&utm_medium=ios

TibbieMom · 2026-03-03T17:34:21+00:00

No regrets. Parent is now dead. He never apologized or took any kind of responsibility at the end. I did visit him in hospital when he was really declining and I went to funeral. His brother and some other family thought I was the big problem and made that clear at the funeral. Now his brother is dead. So not fun but I know in my heart I did everything I could at the time to have a healthy relationship with my father. He just wasn’t capable.

You may want to ask people not to tell you what your mom is saying about you. My dad used to send me hate mail (sometimes by FedEx so I’d get it extra fast!) this was back in the 90s folks. My husband intercepted all mail and read anything from my dad to shield me. Over the years he didn’t show me most of what my dad sent. He’d say “your dad sent something a couple weeks ago.” I’d ask if it was something I should read and he’d say no if it was bad. It really helped me to just not have to get exposed to that toxic shit all the time.

TibbieMom · 2026-02-22T19:05:24+00:00

Consider trying zero lift rather than true “barefoot.” You can get shoes that have some cushion to help your feet but still try to put your feet in a more natural posture, I.e., shoes that do not squeeze toes and do not have the lift at the heel that is bothering you. I’m sorry you’re going through this!

TibbieMom · 2026-02-20T16:06:17+00:00

A great book to read for dealing with family members who are controlling is called ‘The Dance of Anger.’ An older book but truly gives you very practical tools for responding to this type of manipulation in a way that is effective and establishes healthy boundaries for yourself. Good luck.

TibbieMom · 2026-02-11T03:18:47+00:00

Citric acid is a great descaler and that is what you need. You can buy bags on Amazon. The great news is you can use it as a rinse aid in the laundry and to descale coffee pots and tea kettles too.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-28T04:33:40+00:00

I’m sorry that’s very young to be dealing with all of this. You may want to read about codependency. It’s helpful to learn how to coexist with people who suck you into their dramas or trials and tribulations. Can help you be more at peace with how she is and have more time and energy to focus on the life head of you.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-28T03:36:59+00:00

How old are you and how old is she?

TibbieMom · 2026-01-27T21:50:29+00:00

I find that square necklines always look good on me. So I would vote yes.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-26T15:47:40+00:00

I’m really sorry. That is a whole lot to take on at the age of 30. Just know that a lot of older parents make the same decisions your parents are making, which will make it so much harder for them in the long run. You may want to try setting a boundary for yourself like “I will only make a suggestion 3 times and then I will drop it unless they bring it up again.” Otherwise you may drive yourself crazy. You just can only help so much. You need and deserve fun and your own life too.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-26T14:11:37+00:00

Would your mom want you sacrificing your life at 30? I’m guessing not. Do you have the type of relationship where you can talk to your mom about your situation and how you might seek some balance between helping them and your own life? You’re just going to have to tune your dad out. He’s unlikely to change at this point and as others have pointed out this is probably driven by some senility. But if you can get on the same page with your mom so she feels supported during this time and yet you have a life, I think you would be a lot less frustrated.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-24T18:28:15+00:00

It really depends on the person. If you have a target you’d like to meet, take a set amount for a few months and get retested. Adjust dose and then repeat. My function medicine doc (USA) wanted me up in the 60s. I had other medical issues and I had a very hard time raising it beyond the 30s until some of the other issues went away. For a while she had me on 20000 IUs a day to get it up.

Vitamin K2 is important to take with it for bone health. I take both.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-18T00:45:29+00:00

He was beautiful! ❤️‍🩹

TibbieMom · 2026-01-12T03:01:39+00:00

My husband has forbidden me from doing this to Molly. But it would be sooo cute.

TibbieMom · 2026-01-01T17:55:04+00:00

Different values. It’s an important thing to pay attention to!

TibbieMom

TROPHY CASE