@CindiKS, Cindi ...
Sorry about you having to deal with an awful dental experience.
As I am learning to garden in an older body, I am learning that listening to your body is as much of a vital gardening skill as anything else we do in our gardens. It's important because if we listen to our bodies, we can keep on keeping on more productively than if we just push ourselves to work at what we think of as our usual pace.
It's an adjustment, but it does allow us to enjoy our gardens even when we have not met our own expectations about what we can do and what should be done to meet those expectations.
I think enjoying our gardens should have the highest priority of all that "needs to be done". If we are too tired, hurt or are simply ill and keep on working in spite of what our bodies are telling us, we miss out on those precious moments of joy both in the process of gardening and in the results of our efforts.
I think it is wise to take the time to remember why we garden. So, if you body says, "Not, now.", listen. You will enjoy the gardening so much more, if you allow yourself time to heal.
Yes, we often have to push beyond the aches and pains, but not so hard that we miss out on the joy.
Smiles,
Lyn
