Calling for Distraction Ideas

[towerclimberswife]

Hey Lovely Ladies,

If you checked out the CT, you might know that I'll most likely be benched for an additional month. I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow and am 99% certain that because my hormone tests didn't happen during this cycle he will want me to wait for another one.

Anyway, these last two cycles have gone by soooo slowly. Obviously here is a good distraction... but I'm open to suggestions.

What helped you get through your TTA cycles?

Here are some treats for your trouble!!

[therealbug]

One of the best things I saw someone do when benched was set a goal to run X numbers of half marathons. She had a six month and decided to focus on her physical as well as emotional well-being.

Since you are looking at a month, you could see if there is a 5k at the end of the month that you could train for?

[agpjt413]

Hobbies, work, anything not TC related LOL! My first two months flew by...maybe it's you guys that have kept my mind off of stuff and kept me sane!

[momentomori]

I haven't had to TTA for quite some time, but I would suggest organizing, crafting, reading a good trilogy (like Hunger Games or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), exercising, or finding something to binge watch on Netflix (I watched the L Word when I was really obsessing). Good luck!

[menrandes]

For me? A whole buttload of exercise. Also taking a bunch of day trips whenever I could. Always having something to plan is helpful for me.

[PetSquirrel]

For us it's focusing on rebuilding physical intimacy that TTALing injured between Mr Petra and I, and on projects around the house (painting, touch ups, minor renovations). I hope the month flies for you.

[therealbug]

Jan 21, 2015 12:59:54 GMT -5 PetSquirrel said:

For us it's focusing on rebuilding physical intimacy that TTALing injured between Mr Petra and I, and on projects around the house (painting, touch ups, minor renovations). I hope the month flies for you.

I was going to add painting if any of your rooms need painting. 

Also, just enjoy having a month to not think about TTC and all the things that go with that. 

[rmpar29]

I also spent my TTA time getting healthier, working out and eating right. I also did home improvement or organization projects, whatever would keep me busy. I found that the first couple months flew by (but I wasn't really ready to try then anyway) but the last month dragged. Good luck!

[towerclimberswife]

Thanks Ladies!

I know in the grand scheme of things one month isn't a ton of time, but I think it feels like it because I thought we were getting ready to burn the bench.

Good suggestions for sure. Thanks again!

[mlal78]

Purging? Projects around the house? That is what I plan on doing!

[holdingouthope]

Exercise and DIY projects are my go-to. And FWIW, I actually do not think hanging out here is the best distraction; in fact, too much time here could really drive you crazy. By all means, pop in and give support...but don't obsessively check the boards. I'm speaking from experience.

[mrsk91011]

Jan 21, 2015 12:56:32 GMT -5 therealbug said:

One of the best things I saw someone do when benched was set a goal to run X numbers of half marathons. She had a six month and decided to focus on her physical as well as emotional well-being.

Since you are looking at a month, you could see if there is a 5k at the end of the month that you could train for?

This is what I did...but I only did a 5k and my focus was hitting a goal time (which I exceeded!).  Knitting and trying new recipes for cooking and baking also helped.

[dendylouwho]

I have been on the bench since 11/14 and exercise has been my best friend. It is productive, feels good, and it is something I can control when it comes to my body.

[hgalli22]

Baking, crafting, house projects, reading, exercise... I am trying anything and everything to ease my mind until I am allowed off the bench. Right there with you girl! Hang in there!

[grneyes]

Honestly, I've found TTA to be so relaxing. It also has helped our sex life a lot to be spontaneous again instead of so planned, I forgot what that was like!

I've been focusing on exercising (was really bad about that over the holidays) and trying new recipes. Maybe time to start a project or hobby you've always been wanting to do? Hope the time passes quickly for you!

[kellybenelly83]

I enjoyed food personally.....but it was the holidays, so really whats my excuse.

I tried to plan stuff that was upcoming, farther than my next ttc cycle. vacation, friends wedding/shower...that type of thing.

[eurydicenymph]

I was benched for 6 months.

I know how to crochet, so I started crocheting items and donating them to charity. I chose to make and donate baby items to the NICU but there are other charities that look for adult hats, blankets etc. And since I knew how to crochet and not knit, I learned how to knit from youtube and knitted some items as well.

Hubs and I hit the gym and we set up goals and challenges for each other. We also took the time to do some home projects.

Find a hobby is my best advice. Make a list of books that you have always wanted to read. Learn to do something that you have always wanted to learn to do. GL. The bench sucks.

[msugirl]

I'm an organization freak when I'm trying to get my mind off something.
The Container Store is my best friend...

[bluejoan]

I've been cleaning out our house of junk, starting to exercise again and just spending time with my DH. We have another month or so before we an start trying naturally but even longer before our second IVF attempt (probably mid spring). I'm also working with a therapist to get back to me. I've lost little parts of myself on this journey and I need to find out who I am again.

[scrang92]

Exercising more, cooking more healthy meals, crafting.
I like Petra's idea of rebuilding physical intimacy. I call it "doing it for fun", super immature but we had to bring the fun back after all the timed bullshit!

[nikolie93]

I was TTA since October and all the ladies here have great advice. What I did? MH and I learned to enjoy all eye sex without the pressures of TTC. I also read alot and the thing that helped me most was concentrating on my health.

I know you say a month may not be long but I find that time crawls when TTC.

Good luck!

[lickwed]

I like reading, scrapbooking, and am using it to lose weight without fear of messing up ovulation each month. Hope the next month flies by.

[mrsoscarfelix]

No advice as I have just been benched too. Thanks for starting this thread - I definitely will be needing it!

My plans are to start working out and focusing on my health but right now I need to find the motivation!

[mlal78]

Jan 21, 2015 16:59:24 GMT -5 nikolie93 said:

I was TTA since October and all the ladies here have great advice. What I did? MH and I learned to enjoy all eye sex without the pressures of TTC. I also read alot and the thing that helped me most was concentrating on my health.

I know you say a month may not be long but I find that time crawls when TTC.

Good luck!

nikolie93  eye sex sounds kind of painful.  Would you recommend it?

[nikolie93]

Jan 21, 2015 19:14:06 GMT -5 mlal78 said:

Jan 21, 2015 16:59:24 GMT -5 nikolie93 said:

I was TTA since October and all the ladies here have great advice. What I did? MH and I learned to enjoy all eye sex without the pressures of TTC. I also read alot and the thing that helped me most was concentrating on my health.

I know you say a month may not be long but I find that time crawls when TTC.

Good luck!

nikolie93  eye sex sounds kind of painful.  Would you recommend it?

OMG hahahahahaha ummm, definitley no eye sex, I'm always yelling at him to stay away from my eyes!

[ltlbandito]

With DH and I moving, I'll have things to keep me busy for at least the next month, but after that... I'm really loving all these great ideas everyone is sharing! I'm really glad you started this towerclimberswife!

[nobb14]

is there something you've always wanted to do, starting a hobby - but maybe you never had the time? this doesn't have to have a one-month limit.

for me, i always wanted to take a language course. after my second loss in october i resolved to sign up for a night class to take arabic - but was still having a hard time processing my feelings, trying to get to a place to want to try again, and managing holiday stress. my relationship with friends and hubby suffered... until two weeks ago. i realized a lot of my pain was because i don't really do anything for myself. so, after a long talk with MH, i decided i needed to go back to graduate school full time; so now, while i'm not TTA, I have something else to focus on. because the field i'm interested in is so different from my b.s. degree it will be a long process for me to get my new masters of choice (and hopefully eventually a phd) but it's given me a goal other than having a baby, that is just as rewarding. i also starting trying my hand at basic crafts and sorting out my house (i'm big into hgtv and decorating on a budget, and i like seeing my own place transform.) i know these are pretty extreme suggestions, but i guess my point is- now is the time to take a chance! you deserve it.

good luck lady! i know it's not ideal, but i hope you can find something you can have fun with in the meantime. the other ladies had some great suggestions, too!

[kingscross145]

I didn't really have any time I needed to TTA, but if I did I would probably of spent time purging, organizing, taking on a small project like redecorating a room, start a new TV series on DVD or netflicks, crazy amounts of cooking..............I'd just be a total Pintrest whore lets be honest.