1. < Just Want to Talk
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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Feb 19, 2020

Many of you living with cancer or an autoimmune disease, like me, deal with daily fatigue. You know that exercise is so important to your health, but it’s so hard. There’s always an excuse: it’s too cold or hot, it’s going to rain or it’s raining, or it’s snowy and icy, or I just don’t want to. I, too, have all these excuses, but I have a new rescue dog who wants to go out and who doesn’t care about my excuses! And I’ve got traction devices for my boots.Now I just need a walking group who will keep me accountable. People who say, ‘let’s go for a walk.'

And I thought: What about my virtual friends on MayoClinicConnect?

Mayo Clinic has an easy 12-week walking program to get us started! Here’s the link:
- Get walking with this 12-week walking schedule https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/get-walking-with-this-12-week-walking-schedule/

So let’s form a virtual walking group. We can agree to walk every day and encourage each other through Connect. We can walk outdoors, in a mall, or in the red center, or in the hallways of our apartment building.

Who’s in? Who’s going to join me?

Come on, Let’s Go Walking!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

artist01 | @artist01 | Feb 4, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@artist01 it sure sounds like you have a great doctor! And you, for taking the initiative..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@artist01 it sure sounds like you have a great doctor! And you, for taking the initiative to get walking! Especially now. Winter, snow, cold, and ice just take all the fun out of walking but it sure adds a challenge! Keep up the good work-you’ve inspired me. Becky

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Thankyou Becky. Your kind words inspire me to keep at it!

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 4, 2021
In reply to @artist01 "Yes, my doc was delighted when she called me this morning. I told her about posting..." + (show)
@artist01

Yes, my doc was delighted when she called me this morning. I told her about posting on the Mayo site and that I've now received literally countless "likes" and congratulatory or motivated posts. It made her day, and mine too. I can't thank all you wonderful members enough for posting your responses. A hundred thankyous to each and every one of you! And I love your stories! Happy walking, everyone!

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@artist01 It’s positive comments such as yours that that make our day! Mayo Connect is such great community where we can safely come together to help each other. We all have stories and experiences which may help someone else. May I ask, how you chose the moniker of Artist? Would you like to share that with us? No pressure. Just being an artist myself, I enjoy hearing others tell of their interests. There is another group on Mayo Connect titled, Art For Healing. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/ Have you been over there for a visit?

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1 reply
susu2 | @susu2 | Feb 4, 2021

Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group reply from becubuddy(above) . I am an artist also but I can’t seem to get motivation right now. I am tearing apart things that I had started (fiber artist) and rethinking the concept to see if I can go in any new directions. I never want to waste materials! I have a cabinet full of paints,marker,stencils,patterns and lots of yarn,fabric,twosewing machines and all related paraphernalia. How do you start yourself?

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3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 4, 2021
In reply to @artist01 "Because I see your heading "Let's Go Walking" every day when I connect with Mayo Clinic..." + (show)
@artist01

Because I see your heading "Let's Go Walking" every day when I connect with Mayo Clinic Connect, it's been percolating in my subconscious. Yes, I need to get walking. I haven't been able to for months now, but have gradually improved to the point where I knew I should make an effort to be more active. I've had two blood clots recently, within a month of each other, and I know it's imperative that I get moving.
Yesterday was a fine day here, so this was The Day. Because I live in a seniors' residence and we are in lockdown due to Covid, we're only permitted to walk around the perimeter of our building, on our own property. That was good enough for me. Less of a First Time challenge.
I only walked halfway around the building, for a total of eight minutes, but I DID IT!
Today, I'll go a bit further, and the next day, a bit further than that. I'm feeling like a little kid - so proud of myself for this tiny accomplishment, but I have multiple health issues, including Giant Cell Arteritis, Diabetes, GI problems, 2 small strokes, a recent TIA, etc, etc. so lots of concerns. I know walking is going to help. I was always a hiker and loved hiking up the mountain trails in the beautiful Canadian Rockies when I lived in Alberta. One of my favorite sayings throughout my 85 years is, "Today is the first day of the rest of my life"!

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Congratulations on getting moving! If you take it slow, and do it every day you ability will gradually improve. One thing people often try to do is increase too fast, leads to soreness, falls, discouragement... My PT's guideline is a 10% increase per week. When my Mom was recovering from her stroke, it took 2 months of determination to be able to walk 1/4 mile, but eventually she got it up to 1/2 mile a day.
Sue

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 4, 2021

This morning we walked to another "mountain" (20' high plowed up snowbank) through the falling snow. We got to make the first footprints, and make trails for each other to follow. Bompa and the 2 yo joined us, and he even climbed some small snow banks. Glad we went this morning, because now the wind is howling and the temp is falling.
Sue

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 4, 2021
In reply to @susu2 "Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group..." + (show)
@susu2

Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group reply from becubuddy(above) . I am an artist also but I can’t seem to get motivation right now. I am tearing apart things that I had started (fiber artist) and rethinking the concept to see if I can go in any new directions. I never want to waste materials! I have a cabinet full of paints,marker,stencils,patterns and lots of yarn,fabric,twosewing machines and all related paraphernalia. How do you start yourself?

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@susu2 Oh boy, do I know that feeling of having a room full of art supplies and no motivation to use them! I’m a great collector of art supplies, fabrics, fibers, beads...you name it! Every artist hits a wall, lacks inspiration or just feels it’s not worth the effort to drag out the supplies you need to get started. Or, sometimes it’s simply the weight of the UFOs in our closets suppressing our creativity. It’s perfectly acceptable to liberate yourself from those tired projects that just aren’t working for you.

You mentioned fiber arts. Do you make art quilts with mixed media? Do you like to make journals, collage prints? Have you seen anything recently that’s even just caught your attention a little bit? I’ve been stagnant for a while too. But recently saw a video on making books and journals. Boing!! That caught my attention. I’ve always had a love for making paper. So now I’ve started doing that again and creating hand sewn journals.
Sometimes all it takes is a nudge. Have you looked on youtube for inspiration? There are quick tutorials for simple watercolors, handmade journals, paper folding, ideas for art quilts, fabrics and fibers.
We have a group here called Group for Healing. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/

Lots of inspirational artists and stories there! I have a number of other ideas for you depending on where your interests lie.
Let’s unblock that dam of creative juices! Lori.

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1 reply
artist01 | @artist01 | Feb 4, 2021
In reply to @susu2 "Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group..." + (show)
@susu2

Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group reply from becubuddy(above) . I am an artist also but I can’t seem to get motivation right now. I am tearing apart things that I had started (fiber artist) and rethinking the concept to see if I can go in any new directions. I never want to waste materials! I have a cabinet full of paints,marker,stencils,patterns and lots of yarn,fabric,twosewing machines and all related paraphernalia. How do you start yourself?

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Hello @susu2. So happy to meet another artist! I'm really too tired to respond to your post tonight but would love to do so soon. If I forget to get back to you, please give me a nudge!
Warmest regards
Laurie

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wyngnit | @wyngnit | Feb 4, 2021

I walk my day so it sounds great to join I like the weekly increases

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artist01 | @artist01 | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @susu2 "Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group..." + (show)
@susu2

Artist O1o1: I posted on the let’s just talk group and got a virtual walking group reply from becubuddy(above) . I am an artist also but I can’t seem to get motivation right now. I am tearing apart things that I had started (fiber artist) and rethinking the concept to see if I can go in any new directions. I never want to waste materials! I have a cabinet full of paints,marker,stencils,patterns and lots of yarn,fabric,twosewing machines and all related paraphernalia. How do you start yourself?

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Hello again @susu2. Replying to your question of how to get motivated with your art, I guess there's no easy answer.
I am a retired artist now (85 yrs old!) but when I showed my paintings in galleries in 4 different cities, if I wanted to keep my professional status and be in their "stable" of artists, it was necessary to paint, paint, paint! I didn't have much trouble with that, being a passionate painter back in the day. I often had Mozart playing in the background as an energizer, as I painted my very large canvases. Choose some upbeat music that you like - no soft, sleepy stuff! Also, I always started my day with a good brisk walk with my dog (her name was Emily Carr).
I know you are a fibre artist, but motivation is still a primary issue, no matter what our creative media might be. You have to decide the night before that tomorrow you're going to DO it, and stick to that. No phone calls, no texting, no distractions! Just DO it.
It's wise to have a plan, so you don't just muddle through the morning organizing fabric, threads, etc. Look at some of your fibre magazines, your past work, etc., for new inspiration.
Once you get started, you'll find you get happily lost in the process, and by day's end, you'll be so proud of yourself.
I hope this is of some help to you. I'd love to see some of your new projects.
Warmest regards,
Laurie

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artist01 | @artist01 | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "@susu2 Oh boy, do I know that feeling of having a room full of art supplies..." + (show)
@loribmt

@susu2 Oh boy, do I know that feeling of having a room full of art supplies and no motivation to use them! I’m a great collector of art supplies, fabrics, fibers, beads...you name it! Every artist hits a wall, lacks inspiration or just feels it’s not worth the effort to drag out the supplies you need to get started. Or, sometimes it’s simply the weight of the UFOs in our closets suppressing our creativity. It’s perfectly acceptable to liberate yourself from those tired projects that just aren’t working for you.

You mentioned fiber arts. Do you make art quilts with mixed media? Do you like to make journals, collage prints? Have you seen anything recently that’s even just caught your attention a little bit? I’ve been stagnant for a while too. But recently saw a video on making books and journals. Boing!! That caught my attention. I’ve always had a love for making paper. So now I’ve started doing that again and creating hand sewn journals.
Sometimes all it takes is a nudge. Have you looked on youtube for inspiration? There are quick tutorials for simple watercolors, handmade journals, paper folding, ideas for art quilts, fabrics and fibers.
We have a group here called Group for Healing. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/

Lots of inspirational artists and stories there! I have a number of other ideas for you depending on where your interests lie.
Let’s unblock that dam of creative juices! Lori.

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Lots of great ideas here, Lori! Hand sewn journals, wow! Good on ya'!

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