It has been a while since I last did a Life Update, so I thought I’d do another one.
I’ll be honest, I feel that lately, I’ve lost my motivation for life, my enthusiasm for the everyday and the world seems to have lost its shine. I think I’d be quite happy to hibernate for a while, catch up on sleep and take a bit of a break. It feels like life is passing me by and I’m missing out on things by not really feeling it at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still massively appreciative about what we have and the people we have around us, but sometimes life does get a bit too full on.
In my last Life Update, I wrote about work and how busy it was and how pressured I felt about it. All in all, this hasn’t particularly changed although I have got better at prioritising what needs to be done and what can wait for another day. There’s always something to do, but it is about creating that balance. The more hectic works gets, as it does at this time of year, the more I long to be my own boss and create my own schedule. I love my job but it ain’t half stressful at times.
I also know that I don’t help myself. I am so over-critical of myself at the moment that it’s beginning to get me down slightly. My anxiety is rising which in turn means I’m not sleeping as well as I should, and it comes to putting too much pressure on myself. Does anyone else do this? I know that, probably, looking from the outside in to our lives, we’re doing pretty well. We don’t have any debt, we live in a nice house, we get the luxury of travel and we have each other. I know, deep down, that we’re doing alright. But it always feels like I should be doing more; I should be earning more, helping others more, being better at my job, just being better in general. This is another reason why I need a break; I need a break from the cycle of work-home-repeat and get a chance to relax.
Me and my husband have a couple of nights away booked for next week and it cannot come at a better time. We’re staying at a lovely hotel where the food is divine, the grounds are big enough for us to have a wander around and there’ll be big log fires to sit beside and read a book. I cannot wait; we’ve booked an afternoon tea as well for the first day we’re there as an additional extra, just to make our time away even more special than it will already be. Although we don’t know which room will be ours, I do know that it’ll have a beautiful view from the window, with a gorgeous bedroom for us to relax in. I may even indulge in a bubble bath whilst we’re there – well why not?
I think, to get me out of the rut I feel that I’m in, I need to do an update of my lists. I’m a list-maker by nature and I think that clearing my head and getting things written down will help me. I also need to look at what needs doing now and what can wait until another day/month.
I just need to stay optimistic, as this too shall pass.
Does anyone else feel like this at the moment? What are you doing to combat the “blues”?
I feel like that every year when the winter is about to begin. Th I s year, I thought I was going to beat it. My son went to Gatlinburg and his team won the 12 year old football national championship. I was so happy. But—– when I got back it hit me. I was sick with the flue for 2 weeks and barely well enough to go to Disney in December. Disney was great, and I was as happy as a person could be. But— got the flue right after we got back and coughed my head off until mid January. I also felt the blues and the pressure of life. I have been feeling a little better, but I do not want to work in the cold and rain still. Believe me, I know what you are describing. It feels terrible to be up all night just thinking and plodding over everything in your life. I guess we have to be strong and put the effort in to get moving and do a little each day so the pile does not become overwhelming.
Look at me giving advice. I should be doing just what I am saying. I have been doing quite a bit more lately. It seems like the days are getting a little bit longer which is good.
Keep the faith and keep your head held high. It will get better. Just the thought of your vacation is enough to make the blues go away. I hope you enjoy it.
Keep cranking,
Robert the DividendDreamer
Thank you – I’m just going to keep plodding along and hoping it gets better! I think the break away will do me the world of good, to be honest. Thanks for stopping by!
I must be really tired. I was talking to someone while typing. I mispelled flu twice. It must be later than I thought.
Good luck.
Keep cranking,
Robert the DividendDreamer
Sounds like you need a good rest! Enjoy your time away. Hopefully it will let you regroup a bit.
I think I do! And thank you – I’m hoping so 🙂
Work is a common source of stress and displeasure in my life. It’s just always there. We never get a break from it. Well, I actually did have a break – maternity leave a couple months ago. But even with that break, coming back to it is tough. So, not much good advice here. Unless you find it comforting that you’re not alone. Enjoy the time away. I hope it recharges you!
It is comforting to know I’m not alone, but not because you also feel like this which isn’t great. I’m hoping the break away will do me some good – I’ve become a real grump over the past few days!
I’m a list maker too. It helps a lot! I’m hoping your little getaway brings enthusiasm back. You are not alone. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed. ‘This too, shall pass’ makes me think of my grandma. She used this phrase often and it’s so true!
Such a great phrase – thank you for sharing that at this moment. I think once Spring is here and the sun is shining a bit more, things will seem brighter 🙂
You are so not alone! I’ve been feeling this way for the past 2 months, and it’s really wearing me down. I hope my visit back home will re-energize me a little, and I hope your getaway does the same! I do have to say, though – being your own boss isn’t always easier. Depending on your personality, creating your own schedule can be much harder than you think (at least, it’s been a challenge for me).
I can imagine I’d struggle at being my own boss too, as I’m not too good with motivation when I’m feeling low. I hope your visit home makes you feel better and that the break does you good 🙂
I feel you. This time of year makes everything worse because it’s kind of grim and we all get a bit desperate for sunshine, even East Anglians. I’m sure your trip away will help immensely.
I’ve recently discovered a really great book that I think is helping quite a lot though, it’s canned ‘the power of full engagement’ by Loehr and Schwartz
It’s basically about learning to manage your energy levels throughout the day and about how to have more energy and make the best use of it so you can really enjoy life and focus on what Mayer’s most to you.
I shall look up that book – thank you for sharing that 🙂 I think when the sun is shining and the days get longer, life will seem a bit easier somehow. It feels like it’s been cold and dark for a long time!
Nicola, writing down our thoughts really helps us be relieved with stress and gives us different perspective. It also helps sharing our problems or feelings with friends as a form of catharsis. Don’t worry you’re not alone. You have a support group right here. Good luck!
Thank you – it does feel like I have a lot of support which is lovely 🙂 and writing this down did make me feel better, as if I can process all the thoughts and be much more clear on the direct I need to take.