Women's International Network

Lisa Irene – Vice President

So how am I doing?? Depends… it depends on what day you ask me that question ... Some days I turn the music up loud and dance 💃💃💃

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My Experience:

I do live in denial of what is going on: I am busy with learning new things for work (in hopes of making a buck): how to record lessons, edit them on iMovie, share them, delivering other types of free content on Instagram, FB, my Blog on WordPress… so many new things…. I feel as though I do not have enough time to do it all. During the days that seem to fly by (I know, amazing right?) I dabble in biohacking and health promotion (always a favourite of mine), connecting with clients either by lessons they partake in via Zoom, Whatsapp video chat, or in telephone calls each week for those who cannot partake in Zoom lesson. Some clients have opted for “pillole” (mini-videos) – particularly the elderly ones who haven’t got a computer system to do a live video lesson.

oh yeah, then there is life… getting the house clean, projects left on the back burner…. hmmm I do have paint to paint that hallway – but, should I really get on a ladder right now??

Then there are all of the things I hadn’t counted on: my husband passed away last June and I am feeling it yet now emotionally, but also there is the thing with his business and his socio – well, that all is still not sorted out (and now cannot be); I am a widow at 55 – I don’t much like that (even if I would like to frequent someone – right now that is impossible) so, here I am alone in the house… what else? ah, health issues… thank god for Italian Health System and the automatic checks every two years for us ‘elders’. Hopefully what they saw is nothing – I’ll tell you more in 20 days time.

This last health item brought up a list of things to consider: that second witness I now need for my testamento biologico that I had forgotten to take care of after Massimo passed away; someone who – like Massimo – can know what I believe about health and certain options or medications – now I have to pick a friend who is on the same wavelength, but, is there one who can understand the look in my eyes like Massimo did?

So how am I doing? Insomma… it is not easy. Some days I break down and cry (sometimes for a short bout, sometimes it is longer); somedays I do realise I am living in “my own private Idaho” (for those of you who did enjoy the B52’s) and so in my denial – I get busy with stuff and keep going. Well, until I break down and cry and spend a half a day in the house (ha – ha).

Some days I turn the music up loud and dance (the person upstairs is deaf, and my once living -room now converted into a group studio room is currently empty and free, perfect for wild dancing).

Of course, there is a spiritual side to all of this, in my mind – but that is my world and I believe it is different for each of us.
What is yours?
For me, it helps me to think of the bigger picture, but yeah, it isn’t enough for each and every day. Somedays I turn on Amazon Prime and watch Grantchester, or have a video aperitivo with a girlfriend. Some days I watch Gregg Braden or Bruce Lipton videos on youtube. Somedays I reread Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and her considerations on the 5 stages of grieving.

Waves. Waves that move in and out, carrying so many thoughts, fears, emotions… fearful of another goccia che fa travasare…. as I was already feeling quite full going into lockdown. But we probably all were – we each have a certain amount of stuff we are working on, dealing with…

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We are an active and varied group of women choosing to live outside of our “homelands” Talk to one of our board members about join us for support, practical  assistance, local know how  & some great laughs – email us today.
Lisa Irene Vice President 2019-20 :: Women's International Network

Silver Lining

But, I suppose that is life in a certain way, isn’t it? Often a lesson to be learned, a challenge to consider, something that makes one think outside the box… be creative in a new way.

A brave new world? I hope so.

Lisa Irene Vice President 2019-20 :: Women's International Network