Sandra’s Saga: Chapter 1

I Am Sandra: The Decision to Change

My name is Sandra Mitchell, and if you’d asked me a year ago where I thought I’d be today, I’d have painted you a very different picture. A life of travel, exploring faraway places, and sharing my adventures through words—becoming a travel blogger had always been my dream. But here I am, retired after almost 40 years of teaching, struggling to recognize the woman in the mirror.

The weight gain, the exhaustion, the knee pain—it all seemed to creep up on me. My eyesight has been slipping, too. Reading, which used to be a joy, now gives me headaches. And then there are the little moments of forgetfulness, those unsettling lapses that make me worry about what’s ahead.

There’s also a more private matter I’ve kept to myself—urinary issues that have left me embarrassed and hesitant to even discuss it. And worst of all, my energy feels sapped. Yoga and hiking, two things I once adored, now seem out of reach.

Then there’s my mother. She’s confined to a wheelchair most of the day, and by evening, she’s in bed. Taking care of her has been a lesson in love, but also a painful reminder of what might await me if I don’t make some changes. I look at her, and I see myself in ten, maybe fifteen years. And I don’t want that.

So today, I’ve decided to change. Not just for me, but for my husband, my children, and my future. I want to be able to travel freely, write passionately, and live boldly. To get there, I need my health back.

I’ve been reading about a program that starts small: walking, sunlight, and fresh air. That’s where I’ll begin. Eventually, I’ll tackle my diet, my sleep, my posture, and my strength. I know it won’t be easy, and I know nothing happens overnight. But the alternative—staying stuck where I am—is not an option

This is a journey of patience, persistence, and hope. It’s about evolving, remodeling myself step by step. My body, my mind, and my spirit—all need healing. But I’ve made the decision: I will change, and I will thrive.

This is my story. I am Sandra. And this is the beginning.