Tag reading

I Can’t Read That!

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Dealing with the loss of ability to see things up close which comes with the aging process, also known as presbyopia, is one of those frustrating realities that sneaks up on you—and it’s even more maddening if you’ve spent years basking in the glory of perfect vision after Lasik. I had Lasik in October 2007, when I was 41 years old, to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. I loved the freedom I had from glasses or contact lenses for about 8 years. Then when I reached full menopause at the age of 49, me reading vision tanked like the Titanic.

I went from feeling invincible, seeing the world in crisp, vivid detail, to suddenly struggling with menus, ingredient labels, and my phone screen. It feels unfair, doesn’t it? At least I was aware of the distinct possibility that presbyopia would indeed set in at some point, and had many years of crisp, perfect vision. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was how sly the onset of presbyopia was. One day, I was fine, and then the next, I found myself doing the whole “arm stretch” thing just to read my emails or check a text. I also wasn’t prepared for the emotional toll, basically having to admit defeat by having to carry around reading glasses or magnifiers when I had been free of them my entire life. It suddenly was a nuisance to try reading a restaurant menu or a nutrition label in dim lighting. The way I adapted to the need for reading glasses was to place three prescription pairs in specific places: bedroom nightstand, my desk, my handbag.

It’s not just the practical side of things; there’s also a sense of frustration because it feels like a step backward. After Lasik, I became so accustomed to being free from glasses or contacts—it’s this incredible feeling of independence. Then, when presbyopia hit, I had no choice but to get new glasses. It’s almost insulting to the effort and investment I had devoted to my eyes when I had Lasik.

Suddenly having to wear glasses again can mess with your confidence, too. It’s one of those subtle reminders of aging, even if you don’t feel old. Despite the fact that I have had to wear reading glasses for the last ten years, I still find myself frequently ignoring my presbyopic eyes, squinting to read a text on my phone, even if I have a pair of glasses nearby.

My Reading Nook

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Despite the fact that my large sectional leather sofa has an incredibly comfortable chaise portion, I have coveted a plush, comfortable, stand-alone chaise lounge for many years. When I initially thought of getting one, my now ex-boyfriend nixed the idea, telling me that it would clutter up the living room, so I abandoned the idea.

Then at the end of last year, I decided to get rid of an old futon sleeper sofa which was in the seating area of my bedroom (I have a large bedroom). The futon mattress would constantly slip down on the frame, and since the futon served as the “doghouse” for my guy or me during arguments, there was so much bad energy associated with the piece of furniture that I sold it.

After the futon was sold, I decided to repurpose the seating area in my bedroom to accommodate a desk and bookcase, and also decided that a chaise lounge would be a terrific seating option for the area as well. I wanted something convertible, something which could flatten out and serve as a bed, so I chose a very modern design.

I lived with this piece of furniture for close to four months, and determined during that span of time that this chaise was quite possibly the most uncomfortable lounge chair I had ever encountered. And forget about sleeping on it. One night when I was having coughing fits, I decided to try out the chaise as a bed. The following morning, I awoke with the most horrific full back spasm! After that horrible night, I confined my use of the chaise to afternoon reading sessions, but even with the back propped up on the chaise, it still wasn’t very comfortable, so I returned it.

In its place, I purchased this chaise lounge:

Though this chaise cannot be converted into a bed like the previous chaise, it is incredibly comfortable, wonderful for afternoon reading, and fits in well with the surrounding furnishings.

My new chaise is plush, and the curvature accommodates the body’s natural lines beautifully. After accessorizing the nook with a dimmable reading lamp, I created a very cozy escape which is great for reading, relaxing, and napping.