1. I was working 55 hours a week, every week, for about 6 months. Part of the reason is because my commute was at least 45 minutes each way. But the other part of the reason is because I’m an overachiever and actually believe that I am required to get everything done, every day.
**This is an expectation I’ve put on myself. Also, overachiever = workaholic. Don’t let me try to fool you.
2. I spent a good portion of this year trying to get my head on straight. In January, I was taking a whole bunch of meds: Lyrica, Amitriptyline, Vicodin, Percocet, Xanax, Celexa, and occasionally muscle relaxers. By May, I was off everything. Every. Single. Thing.
**I quit all the pain meds cold turkey. It sucked. I hurt. I wouldn’t recommend doing it the way I did, if you can avoid it. I weaned off the anti-depressants over the course of 3 months. And it sucked worse than the pain med withdrawal. I had withdrawal symptoms for 4 weeks solid. And even now, I still have an occasional brain-zap or two. Absolutely, under no circumstances, should you ever quit any anti-depressant cold turkey. Trust me on this.
3. I lost my job about 3 weeks ago. It was a surprise. They liked me (so much that they gave me a promotion and 2 significant pay raises in a matter of 6 months). But business is business. And they eliminated my position.
**I also don’t recommend stopping a 55-hour-a-week job cold turkey. It’s been an adjustment, to say the least.
4. I have a lot of free time now. Like… loads.
**Hence the let’s-catch-up post.
5. Since I actually have time now, I’ve been able to do all the things I haven’t been able to do in a long time. Like workout. Hike. Write my novel (more on that later). Organize. Clean. Relax. Spend time with my family (this is somewhat of a new thing for me, again).
**I am currently 13lbs down since I lost my job, and I’m feeling more normal than I have in a very very long time.
6. Job hunting sucks. Not just a little, either. A lottle. Like.. a supersize amount.
**Quick thought: are people really asking for a Bachelor’s Degree to answer the phone?! Also, since when does being an inside sales person = being in marketing. If I could tell the business owners of America *one* thing: Sales IS NOT marketing. They are two very separate efforts.
****Oh, and on that note: you will not have marketing success with someone who makes $10/hour. You’ve got to pay to play, people.
7. My novel: it’s been an “in-the-works-but-very-much-on-the-back-burner” thing for about 15 years. I’ve dabbled. But only in the last three weeks have I gotten serious about it.
**It’s amazing how a full time job in creativity can prevent you from being creative any other time.
8. I’m okay. Finally. Still don’t have a job. Still looking. But at peace with the path I have before me. My brain is clear. My body feels good. I am in control, again.
I’ll write more, very soon, about my adventures. I have many more to share.
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