What is normal …. revisited

I have titled this “What is normal – revisited” because I have touched on this subject before. But, I felt it worth another look. So, what is normal for one person may not be normal for another. In truth, what was normal for each of us, may not be the same normal tomorrow, the next day or at any time as we grow through life.

There is a risk of identifying too closely with others who are going through, what it may seem on the surface to be the same situation as you. Yes, they may have Parkinson’s. Yes, they may be the same age as you, the same gender, the same number of years since diagnosis. So, perhaps that means the ultimate outcome will be the same? No, I don’t think so!

None of us exists in a vacuum, untouched by outside forces and influenced by none. We are all susceptible to influences around us and that can include being in a state where we judge what life with Parkinson’s should be like for us based on others’ experiences. My how I hate that word “should”. So loaded with expectations of others and unrealistic expectations of ourselves.

So what is ‘normal’ then?

It is a cycle on a washing machine!

There is no normal other than on the washing machine as far as I am concerned. We grow and change as we age. We learn perhaps to live better with experience. Or, we can seem not to have learnt a thing with some of the decisions we might make! Being Older doesn’t always mean wiser and quite frankly, I am just as capable of making stupid decisions as I was when I was younger! In fact in some cases more so, for I don’t have a parent guiding me, or a boss demanding anything of me and I have a husband who is pretty good at letting me find my own path. So stupid is not reserved for youngsters. “Youngsters” now that does make me sound old! Which of course I realise I am when I look in the mirror and see an old woman looking back! What is she doing there? Inside – apart from the aches and pains of older years, I sometimes feel like I am not that old. But, it only takes a bit too much time in the garden or doing something it’s unwise for me to do, to remind me that I am in fact now officially a superannuitant!

So, normal. I say don’t try to be ‘normal’ try to find a way of being that works for you, that you are happy with and that leaves you the flexibility to change who and how you are if you wish to.

So normal is not something I try to be.

Oh, and another thing. Don’t try to be perfect.

I always say, “Perfection is over-rated” because it is something I never would pressure myself or others to be.

Just be the you that works for you!

Here’s a wee podcast, with some different “stuff” about normality. Have a listen, it might be enlightening, you never know!