Depression, Work-Life Balance, and Rediscovering Self (or Navel Gazing for the Over-30 Crowd)

Jun 27, 2011

I don't want to get into this too much here, but let me just say that I can tell the state of my mental health by the non-work-related writing I do. (See: this blog and the lack of posting since July 2010) And also by the heart palpitations, anxiety hives, and panic attacks. Crushing chest pain is a sign that something has gone seriously sideways in life.

Anyway, I haven't written anything lately. The past couple months have been busy:

First, we bought a house and moved to New Braunfels. We have two ponds full of goldfish and Koi and a herd of deer who are constantly begging for food. We see all variety of birds - including a Cardinal family who built a nest by the living room window and birthed another generation, hummingbirds everywhere, and roadrunners. We also have scorpions and tarantulas and snakes, oh my!

Then, once we got into the place, My sister-in-law and I repainted my office and decorated it with some lovely dark wood and lots of art. Remind me never to paint a 10'x10' room with 12' ceilings. Ever. Again. What on earth was I thinking? The upside, however, is that the place is everything I wanted in an office - sunny and relaxing and with a beautiful view.

Lately, we've been entertaining just about everyone we know at the house. The month of July is already booked with guests and we're scheduling into August! Apparently, this is The Place To Be. And it makes me so very happy.

In work-related travel news, I've been to Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Ohio (twice), Arizona, and North Carolina. And none of that includes the tornado-related stranding in Dallas or a trip to Houston. And really, that is just the tip of the iceberg of my sales business. Too many places to go and not enough time to do it all.

I'm going to try to get back to a more regular posting schedule, but I can't promise anything. Because I just don't know if I'll have the energy to be anything more than a neglectful writer on my own blog. In the meantime, I've got to figure out where things have gone wrong and set them to rights again.

4 Response to "Depression, Work-Life Balance, and Rediscovering Self (or Navel Gazing for the Over-30 Crowd)"

Pam Says:

Welcome home. :)

Dmarie Says:

my theory: women in their 30s are bombarded with hormones that wreak havoc on our systems. If men dealt with the same, there'd be a cure for it by now!! I just BARELY got through that decade...survived only through exercise, meditation, frequent tears and lots of chocolate!

Leah Says:

In my thirties, I'm learning to walk again. To take time to refresh DAILY. To welcome visitors and say "Yes" to invitations out to lunch or a movie or to the bookstore.
I'm learning that children are super fun to be around. That education isn't supposed to be stressful, but enjoyable and amazing.
I'm learning that I am loved, so much more than I could ever imagine.
I am learning to love, no matter if it costs me everything.
I love you!

knighton Says:

I love you, too.

And we've said yes to almost all invitations lately. I'm back to my usual reading schedule, cooking most nights again, and just be-ing. I haven't had a panic attack, chest pain, or hives in nearly a month.

Now if I could just get a haircut! ;-)