The copyedit of Wildfire is done and sent off. We have work to do. We have to update the site, we have to start working on other projects, we have to… yeah, I don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to write, I don’t want to knit, I don’t want to paint, I don’t want to do anything. I have two new games to play, one of them being Mass Effect Andromeda, which isn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be so far, but is not as good as I hoped. I don’t want to play them either.
Gordon offered to go somewhere for a weekend for a mini vacation. Nope, don’t want to do that either.
You know what I did today? I cleaned the shelves in the built in in the kitchen.
It was a very labor-intensive copyedit, but I shouldn’t be this fried.
Do you have days when you just don’t want to do anything?
A little hibernation never hurt anyone…
… with chocolate close at hand.
Today. My first day off in 26. We have a huge wedding on Friday and I am tired. I just want to zone out and eat chips. Or popcorn. Or something I usually don’t let myself eat but mostly zoning. Maybe I’ll take a nap in the sun like the cat. That sounds nice.
But definitely. You get to just running on nerves and then you have laze about and recharge. Maybe eat a gooey chocolate something (walnut fudge brownie, w/ice cream and hot fudge on top). That doesn’t actually perk you up, the carbs put you to sleep. Its great with hot tea.
That sounds great! Thank you for the idea. I was musing about tea with pecan pie muffins. I made their acquaintance last week. Yum.
Where do you get pecan pie muffins?
Great job on cleaning those shelves! Cross that off your list & take a well deserved nap! Sometimes ya just need to wind down a bit. Tomorrow is another day.
Oh, yeah. I hope you find something fun to rejuvenate you.
Meh days are more common for me in the winter, especially towards the end of winter like now.
I live just outside Toronto, ON, Canada and we have had a couple of days between 9 and 12 Celsius (48 – 56 Fahrenheit) and yet for tomorrow they are calling for wet snow. WET SNOW . Talk about feeling meh and not wanting to do anything.
My husband knows I am having a bad bleh day when I can’t even decide what I would like to read. He says I look lost.
On the positive side I saw my first robin of spring in my backyard today! And there are some itty bitty buds on my lilac bushes. Those from colder climes understand how important this is to help one get through the mehs and blehs.
I am from Hamilton. My snowdrops have bloomed and the tulips are starting. As for tomorrow, I don’t have to be anywhere so I plan to hibernate.
Wet snow? Oy.
Yes…wet snow can be such a drag… I loved wet snow as a kid (great for snowmen), but I haaaaate it as an adult… too damn heavy to shovel! I live in Vermont, and we have yet another snow storm on the menu for tomorrow. I feel the snow blehs…
This time of year is the worst for me: lots to do at work and so much more sunshine in the evening for play, combined with the time change that becomes two weeks of less sleep. This is worse than SAD in the winter. I’m dubbing it SPPD (Spring Post-Partum Depression).
Sometimes it’s important to Not Do.
*pathetic whimpering*
How about SPUD – Spring Utter Doldrums?
Love it!! – just want to dig a hole and crawl in and live underground like a potato. Or perhaps you only meant be a couch potato – either works!
Absolutely! In the recent past, while my debilitated, 86-year-old mother with multiple medical problems was living with me, I had managed to collect a menagerie consisting of dogs/cats. There were days where not wanting to do anything was very common. I’ve lost some of the menagerie members, and my mother has gone into full-time nursing care, but there are still (most) morning’s where I get up with grandiose plans, complete my kennel chores (still have menagerie), look around and say to myself, ” Nope, not doin’ it today,” and take the day off.
If it matters to you, you absolutely have my permission to take today, and, aw what the bell, tomorrow off, guilt free, totally. Read JD Robb’s Echoes in Death, Darynda Jones’s Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, Anne Bishop’s Etched in Bone, and Lisa Emme’s Hell to Pay (if you Hvnt read the first in her series, would recommend doing so). All really good reads. I promise, none of us will bother you.
Meh is pretty much my weekends. I am a master at talking myself out of doing anything.
I didn’t use to be that successful at it, but ever since I got my house back to myself after getting rid of the last roommate last year, I just can’t get myself motivated. I usually only do something if there’s a deadline (dang, still have to do my taxes!). I’m hoping I’ll get more motivated as it gets warmer out.
Yup
Yes. I totally get this. I have phases when I’m fried after a long period of stress. The first phase is either stress-work (working because I haven’t taken a day off in weeks and I’m too stressed to relax) or total exhaustion (where I do nothing but sleep, eat, read, and sometimes shower). The second phase sometimes kicks in once I’ve rested enough that I’m no longer exhausted, but I still haven’t unwound enough to fully relax. I’ll spend the day unable to settle on something I want to do and vaguely dissatisfied with myself for not either working or relaxing. Cleaning projects and puttering are completely legitimate ways to spend these days–they’re small accomplishments that make me feel better without being an overwhelming amount of work. And while I do them, my mind is processing in the background, healing and creating.
Recognizing this as a real, if annoying, part of my work and recovery cycle helps me stop beating myself up and accept what’s happening. Which I think helps me get through this phase more quickly these days.
But that’s what this type of day means for me and how I deal with it. YMMV. I hope you find something that makes you feel satisfied with yourself today. <3
I totally think this is true…when I’ve reached this point, i just give myself permission not to DO anything for the day, and not feel guilty about it. I’m almost always good to go after a full day of nothing. When I’ve tried to fight it, I usually and still sluggish the next day!
That sounds very familiar.
weeks where I don’t want to do anything. If I could get it down to days, I’d consider myself successful.
Yes and yes. Although I don’t have nearly as good of an excuse as you. It sounds like you fried yourself a little bit from doing to much.
I give into the day! If it lingers past the weekend, I pick one job that needs doing, get it done and then sit while I mentally congratulate myself for doing the job when I didn’t want to! I can sit on my rump and do nothing and NOT feel guilty about it. Enjoy!
I do have days where I do nothing. I used to feel guilty about it, but my husband showed me the art of Just Sitting. It’s very refreshing. I sit outside, if the weather cooperates, or in front of a window if not, and just sit. The trick for me is to observe and let my mind drift, not meditate, not plan, not worry. You have plenty of time to do; the important thing is to also take time to be.
Yep! Sometimes a good 12 hr nap helps 🙂
I’ve been pretty depressed for the last 5 months or so. Part of depression, for me, is not wanting to do anything. I do what’s required to remain a contributing member of society, but I take it down to the bare essentials. Anyway, I think I’m maybe starting to come out of it and I’m thinking more and more of what I need to do to tend to myself. My mother has always said that she can judge my mental/emotional state by the state of my closets, and she’s not wrong. So in mid-April, I’m taking a week off work to have a staycation at home. My plan is to do chores…to clean the closets (both literally and figuratively). I need to purge stuff and pack up other stuff and move it into storage. I have a new cat (kitten) and she’s still investigating the house. My bedroom is not cat-proof, and I need to work on that — I’ve been sleeping on the couch in the living room for the last two months because I get stressed when the cat is left to her own devices in my bedroom. So, I will self-nurture with some deep cleaning. I figure the physical effort and the end result will do wonders for moving me out of my blehs and mehs.
With depression, the common advice is to keep doing all the things that you are supposed to be doing and fake it until you make it. Not sure how right it is, but I can tell you that cleaning helps with a lot of things. It helps me feel better because a) I took control of a chunk of my life and organized it, b) it stops being an eyesore, so I no longer cringe when walking past it and c) I can actually find things because everything is organized.
I went through a major depressive break. Literally cold turkey off major Rx of Zoloft, my mom died, both sons graduated and left home. Married to an alcoholic, three year divorce and on and on. I spent most of one year working just enough to pay bills and doing mindless stuff. I reread every book in the house, gained 40 lbs (i self medicate with food), and literally spoke to one person a week. I finally put myself on St. John’s Wort and started crawling out. Time and distance from responsibilities is a big help but not really an option for you.
What doctors don’t tell you is Rx only levels out mood, you have to deal with the cause or nothing gets any better and the stress just ratchets up.
I switched to a Naturopath also and did a spit test that checks adrenal and hormone function. Hormones were fine but adrenals were shot. You might try that as it seems your stress level isn’t going away and your bounce-back is not happening.
Cleaning cupboards is a mindless sort of thing to do that is productive but not taxing. As I don’t have to leave my house for two days, today’s projects are finish cutting and fitting mopboards in my storage closets and cleaning and organizing my pantry. A pipe off my water heater failed so my washer, dryer, and storage cupboard are sitting in the living room and sheetrock is missing. Life happens so I am controlling what I can, and doing something where I can see results!
Agree.
I will advise to talk to your doctor or therapist.
I had major depression where I don’t think I had laughed or smiled in 3 years. I have a family history of depression on both sides. My doctor put me on prozac. It is another that helps to ‘balance’ moods? It worked wonders for me, but part of that may have been that I was ready and made it work for me.
I still do have to closely monitor my prevalent mood and at times I go back on medication when I am under a great deal of stress or something triggers me and I cannot get myself back out. And sometimes the getting out is that yes, I take a day off for no other reason than I cannot bear to face people or anything else for a day.
Take care and remember, there are others out there with you.
I call it “recharging my batteries,” and consider it a vital function.
That sounds right.
Absolutely!!
And, BTW, so very sweet of Gordon to offer a mini vacation!!
Yes, especially when the weather gets very hot (90’s-100s). I call it “vegging out” or pulling the covers over my head and forget the world exists. No cleaning, no cooking, no nothing. Just reading or watch TV.
Just reading about all you do makes me tired. You create incredible worlds for us to enjoy, you knit, you craft, you cook, you blog, you read, you game, you mother (and you wife – what do you mean it’s not a verb? Dealing with husband’s is an art form). You lead a very busy and productive life. You’re definitely entitled to some do nothing days to recharge. Relax and enjoy.
When there is nothing I feel like doing, I lie down outside on a blanket and listen to the wind. Or read a new paranormal book. Or go to the theatre. Or sit in a hot bath with a korean face mask until my toes wrinkle. Or watch stephen colbert or a k drama. Or listen to Hamilton and drive aimlessly around town. Or reread an Ilona Andrews book. 😉
In a word…well two: Hell yes. When you put your brain through the equivalent of a marathon bootcamp, with almost no break, you need down time. Either a veg-out time, or something completely opposite from your copyedit. Sleep, float in your pool, sit out side with the dogs. Attack another shelf. Just nothing too organized or regimented. You need to float emotionally. And possibly physically. Whatever you can do to recharge. Please, do it. Both of you.
Once a month, just past PMS I have nothing in the “go” tank. No worries for me everyone gives me a wide berth for at least another day anyway. Taking days off is healthy for everyone. Cause “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” ?
I have those days all the time. Those are the days to write out what MUST be done (feed self, feed dependant beings, don’t stay in bed all day). After this things are accomplished maybe just veg out. You probably deserve a stay-cation. Maybe get lost in a good book? I reread some of your books when I’m needing a break from reality. 🙂
Well, clearly the rest of us have days (weeks, months, dare I say years?) like these. Which is why we love your books: it makes those blah (and worse) days a lot more manageable and bearable.
So, because we want you to be happy and not always be the one who’s writing for others, I think it would be fun (or a horror show) for us to write stuff to cheer you up. We could do free from, or you could suggest a topic, or whatever.
The evil genius of my plan is twofold: first, it actually may cheer you up (as well as get us all off the streets and causing mischief). Second, and a lot more important, you would see just how horrible our writing is and be forced to produce more of your masterpieces. Except faster and in greater volume.
On the third hand, that sounds like too much work. And I don’t wanna. Although I would. Probably.
Yes. This too will pass.
You’ve been working really hard the last many months. Why not treat yourself to a massage? A nice, long massage where the masseur works the kinks out of your neck and shoulders from all that typing and knitting. Some masseurs will even come to your home with a portable table, so you can go straight from massage to nap. Then, maybe later, maybe tomorrow, treat yourself to a pedicure. And then maybe another nap. You deserve some major pampering right now! And if you feel too “meh” even for that, just curl up in a nice comfy chair with a fat warm quilt and a huge mug of hot chocolate (maybe with a touch of butterscotch schapps?). A kitty lap warmer might be good. Honor your body’s need for some down time!
You should rest…you have been so busy and u deserve it! Take some time off and enjoy life..rest up and no worris everything will get done…eventually!
That’s what happens when you burn yourself out. Things that usually would be fun are not remotely appealing. I’m a huge advocate for sitting/laying around being lazy when you need it. It’s a good recharge. Maybe find a good series on Netflix or Amazon and just veg. Or watch an old series that you wouldn’t mind rewatching.
Of course, who doesn’t? Rainy days do it for me. Something about rainy days make me yawn all day and just want to curl up under the covers and snooze.
Take a break, all the work can wait and let you recharge and bit. If you push it and keep ignoring the need to recharge a bit is when you end up burning out.
Why, yes, I do have days like that. Sometimes I muster enough energy to put a long CD on that is really just noise, or I turn on either the waves or the rain, and I just zone out. And sleep. I might get up and lay siege to the pantry or refrigerator and eat whatever doesn’t take any thought. Then I move to the couch. And nap. Only happens once in a while now. But I used to have this happen all the time. I was depressed, and although I sort of functioned, it lasted for a year or three. Thank gods for better living through chemistry. So now, when I have a fit of Bleh and Meh, I don’t worry, and I sort of embrace it as I know it will go away soon.
Seems like you guys have been working your humps off. Makes sense to me why you’d feel fried.
it’s a rare day when I can’t at least settle to read but it does happen. Sometimes a chore like cleaning cupboards really helps – you have a feeling that something got accomplished but you didn’t have to be fully present while doing it. You can zone out, shut down, and just be for a little while. I wish I was productive like that when I reach this point but I’m not the type who needs to have an activity.
Had my bleh last week, read JD Robb’s Echoes in Death, and Anne Bishop’s Etched in Bone in two days and still was down, things got better after my third twelve hour nap, let Gordon do something fun, my husband and I had an indoor picnic
Yes, I’ve had those days. Sometimes you just gotta be instead of doing a task list. It recharges the batteries so you can deal with the normal stuff.
I didn’t have time to write this yesterday, but you’ve had lots of consecutive deadlines and other stuff to deal with so it’s not at all surprising.
Last yeah was pretty much meh bleach for me. Spent the first half of the year not knowing if I’d have a job after Easter and that stole all my mojo. Even for watching new movies/tv and for the first time cbf sewing anything despite needing interview clothes if I was laid off. Even the temp market for 50+ EA/secretary is poor. Then I got a job in the 1 July restructure, but got insomnia for 5 months. Moving house after 19 years in November and ending up in hospital on Boxing Day (with a new stress induced chronic condition) seems to have cured the insomnia. And the lack of sewing mojo. But my sewing room is still unpacked and the rest of the apartment isnt properly done. The mehs overtake me at least one day a weekend, and I’ve told myself that’s OK. I’ll get there, and beating myself up might end up in hospital a 2nd time.
tl:dr yes the mess we has it sometimes.
Sheesh auto-correct got me too often.
Yeah, specially after exams or traveling. I usually just lie in the couch watching wildlife documentaries. It’s very relaxing
“It was a very intensive copyedit…” after a very intense period of time where you have been going and going and…..but you get the point.
Do nothing days are allowed. Give yourself permission to flop, to breathe, to pamper if it’s not too hard. Or just sit in the corner and suck your thumb, whatever gives your body and brain surcease to recover from the do everything days. 🙂
I took a day off yesterday just to do nothing and I just laid on the sofa and watched bad tv and had too much junk food (now I feel bad) It happens ever so often after a stressfull periode (mother had her operation for breat cancer on Monday). So why not do nothing? Why do we have to “do” all the time?
I hope your mother’s surgery was successful and she recovers well.
I am moving to a new place on Friday, and I don’t want to do anything. This week I chose to read the last book of the Cat and Bones series by Jeaniene Frost. I had refused to read the last book because she ended the series one book early. It broke my heart. 3 years later I’ve read it, and it is so perfect. Now, I just want everything to pack itself so I can just read and daydream.
Sometimes you just have to go with it, and not beat yourself up :).
Frequently. I celebrate the bits of the cycle when that particular need is absent, and living comes easily. The other portions I endure until things change again. Each throws the other into sharper relief.
Oh I hate those days.. it’s really nice to kick back, relax, sleep and do NOTHING but on those kinds of days I always feel guilty for not doing anything. I feel like I should do something, don’t really want to do anything though, so those days can be frustrating.
I try to “cheat” haha. I tell myself to do one load of laundry and tidy up around the sofa, or something similar. Then when I feel like I have done something productive with my day (even if I only do something for an hour max) then I relax, and I do relax better then I would otherwise have. Sit on the sofa, read, maybe do a jigsaw puzzle, listen to music, binge watch, tend to my orchids etc.
Hope you find something relaxing to do. You deserve to relax 🙂
Yep. That.
Of course, like all others have said, I think most everyone does? My husband calls them ‘stare at the walls’ days. We’ve gradually even learned to anticipate when the other is likely to need a chunk of unprogrammed time to recharge, and plan accordingly. With work, kids, pets, bills, houses requiring maintenance, etc, it’s not easy to accept in oneself! But never fear, energy and enthusiasms will return.
This year I’m trapped in the Winter that never ends. We’ve had rain and snow and rain and ice and rain and wind and I have moss growing on my north side! I have taxes to do, a will to revise, medical decisions to make, a house to clean and it’s still raining. When all this stuff dumps on me I take the day off. I stay in my jammies, I drink hot cocoa, I cuddle with the kitty and reread a favorite book, I do jigsaw puzzles on my computer, and I don’t feel guilty! It’s nice to take a break and reset my priorities. Sure all that stuff is waiting for the next day, but I can deal with it better if I take some time for me. Today I noticed the forsythia is in full bloom. Life is good.
I think this is why netflix was invented…. I find something I haven’t seen before and binge watch until I feel like I can get off the couch… usually precessed by making brownies or something with pizza dough…
We all have those days! What I have found that works if you really want to work (or have stuff to get done) is the dreaded E word…exercise… I have 2 draft horses, BIG boys…I am not (about 5’3) every morning I get up and feel blah… I walk them 3/4 mile down to my friend’s pasture… OK walk..hmm They walk… I trot to keep up with them and not be humiliatingly dragged behind.. I then walk back pretty quick (well for me…) because I have to work….On those days I have the best work days ever!! I get a ton done! I feel better! and I do not feel like eating an entire box of brownies by myself!
all the time. its just the bodies way of saying time out
Yes, I have days when I just want to sit in the sun & read! This is my way to veg, lose track of time, escape. I love my life & the p[eople in it, but sometimes escaping into a good book can be invigorating, uplifting! Thank you (& Gordon) for being some of the authors I love to escape with!
Yes, it’s called Mondays! LOL
Trying to motivate yourself can be hard sometimes. Sounds like you need some “me” time. Join up with a girl friend for dinner to vent and laugh your “meh” away. Husbands are nice, but sometimes girl friends are the ones that get you out of a funk… or chocolate, cuz chocolate is every girl’s best friend. ; )
Hope you feel better soon!
I think it’s normal to feel like that. You’ve worked non stop over the last year or so. Magic Binds, One Fell Sweep. white Hot and Wildfire.Your brains must feel like mush. It’s no wonder you have a case of The I can’t Be’s. I think when you have a long stressful stretch of work the brain shuts down a bit to recharge and it leaves you feeling lethargic.
*keels over* YES! I am getting the house ready for market, which has meant four months of packing most personal things away, rearranging furniture, painting, fixing things, and stressing over the market in our area. The past week has been a blur of deep intensive cleaning. Like, hands and knees scrubbing baseboards cleaning. I can’t write, can’t art, can’t read, can’t play Wow…any spare moment I have has involved me either sitting there in a fugue state or sleeping. Thank God for audiobooks, or I’d be going truely nuts.
Hope you recover soon!
Yep. I hit the recliner, pull the heated throw up over my chin, and turn on New Age music. What I wish for is someone to provide me with constant snacks and liquids, but dog and spouse give me side-eye.
I don’t want to make decisions, plan, or be responsible for anything on days like today.
Been there done that so many times, they might have to resort to extreme measures to get me out of this house.
Yes, its usually Saturdays. Work weeks are tough lately and sleeping in then sitting in bed doing nothing in particular is bliss.
Yes, dear. Finally went to a naturopathic doctor. Low thyroid and adrenal fatigue. Now taking a low dose thyroid prescription , adrenal supplements four other supplements , and trying to get more sleep. Makes a big difference. My primary care dr really didn’t have a clue!
Good choice! Natural choices take longer to work but supporting your body is way better than just covering up symptoms. I even switched to a natural thyroid tablet about four years ago and feel much better on it. Synthroid dried my eyes out something terrible if I had too much, I could always tell if my level was off. Stress really messes with adrenals.
Sure do have that feeling… although usually it comes up when there is something I know I should be doing that I don’t want to, and I can’t give myself permission to do or enjoy anything else until it is done… the rest of the time I find going for a hike helps.
I hope the other game you have to play is Horizon Zero Dawn. My husband is really enjoying it and I think it’s right up your alley.
I’m not Ilona, but I checked it out and it looks really interesting, too bad its only for Playstation four.
My husband and I are really enjoying this game too.
haha, I think it is the House’s subtle way of notifying me that i’ve put off chores for too long. So it makes me feel like doing nothing but staying home…and when i’m home, i notice all the chores i’ve put off, so i start doing them, because just lazying around (esp in good weather) seems wasteful. Also, spring cleaning!
I do have days like that! I usually just do something like sit around and watch Big Bang Theory so I can laugh and not have to concentrate : ). I am also playing Mass Effect Andromeda and I agree, not as bad as people said but not as good as Dragon Age Inquisition .
I have *weeks* where that happens. Or…I guess a day like that were I force myself or duties force me to do things that just exhaust me and then the day turn into more days and then weeks and I am just burnt out on…nothing.
I either take of day of lazy (and feeling guilty) and end up feeling better for it.
Absolutely. It’s when I’m “fried”. I stay in Jammies all day, read a book or watch cartoons, don’t really talk to people because that takes too much effort and take naps all day. Maybe go for a walk with my dog in the park or on the beach. Get take out for dinner since I’m not up for cooking that day either. It’s “recharging”:) Usually by the next day I’m up to taking on the world.
As others have mentioned, those of us in darker/colder climes are struggling with lots of bleh days. I had one bleh day that was soooo spectacularly bleh that I also didn’t want to read anything…. watch anything… play anything… go anywhere or do anything except mope.
I ended up calling a friend and talking about silly non-important stuff. Sometimes when these Uber Meh days descend upon me I will let myself have a “spa” day at home. Nice warm bath with some scented bath salts or bubble bath, music, face or eye mask, and candles instead of the ceiling light. Sometimes I just take a walk somewhere pretty (or just down the street or something). I find that when I’m bleh and meh it’s sometimes because I’m restless.
Yep, sure do. When I do, I find a favorite book, usually a funny one, and chocolate something with a nice warm cup of coffee. Then I curl up in the warmest room in the house, under a nice soft blankey and just read the day away. The book has to be a light, amusing one. I don’t even want to think, so no angst-ridden story for me.
The French term for this is Ennui (“ahn-nwee”). I hate that feel when I literally do not want to do anything, including doing nothing. I hope it passes quickly for you!
What a great way to put it – I do not want to do anything including doing nothing. Sometimes that last part is the most frustrating. You don’t want to do nothing but can’t find anything you want to do!
All. The. Time. Hope things improve.
Absolutely. Days where I don’t want to go anywhere, watch anything, read anything.
Hopefully your days of “meh’ passes quickly. If you were up here in the still snowy north — I’d suggest sun treatments — but you can catnap in the sun out where you are — assuming no nasty bugs yet? 🙂
I blame it on spring fever and cold weather. Hopefully, we will all get out of our bleh moods soon.
Yes. Current events are sucking juice out of me.
Roger that!
Preach.
I’ve been going pretty non-stop since January outside of work plus I’m an introvert who works in retail. So much “not enough recovery time” happening right now. Today I really don’t want to do anything except lay in my hammock and maybe read or just blank out. The weather here in Austin has been spectacular this week. But instead I have to plan tonight and tomorrow’s practices instead and outline next week’s training goals. I love coaching, I love my job, but I need a break!
So here, lack of government legislation caused a real estate bubble which has lead to high real estate prices 1.2 million for a house, 500,000 for condos average. And a rental availability rate of 1% Then legislation came in and now sales are down meaning the new company that bought us last year has cut all the people in my department’s hours back by 2 days a month. Isn’t getting better so there will be layoffs of staff. The co. Also has stupid idea move 1/2 our department to another city increasing my commute time by 2 hours each day. My ex wife whom I’ve known for over 35 years is now in full care dying from early onset dementia as a result of brain damage from a car accident she was in and may not live much longer at age 54. And yay I’m being demovicted. Meaning they’re going to tear down my building to put up shiny new condos for foreign investors who won’t live in them or rent them out. I’m supposed to be working on props and a website to promote fundraising for my indie film and now look for a new job and a new place to live. I wake up in the mornings on the weekends and just go back to sleep. Motivation, what’s that?
Aww yes I feel it sometimes too. I hate it but sometimes I just sit there with no energy to do anything – literally a bump on a log.
I use to call them the “lost days”. I gave up feeling guilty (as I used to do) and just took care of myself. I did whatever made me feel good at that moment, on that day.
I even used to give my kids an occasional day to breathe free. We used to call that a “Mental Health Day”. Not often, and usually it was a surprise, they’d get a day off from school to do something they wanted to do, be it silly, frivolous or important. I can hear teachers screaming from here….however, in my opinion, they were always the better for it. It was rare to manage it in HS as the demands were so intense it was hard to find a day they could enjoy that they didn’t feel more pressured by the choice of not being in school.
Do what you need to do and enjoy it.
As I retired high school teacher I can tell you that some of us did take a sick day as a mental health day. When you’re up to your ears in marking, lesson planning, and administratia add some teen age angst (roomful of 16 year olds) one day of met can turn into many days of nonproductivity so a mental health day helped.
Firm believer in Mental Health days regardless of age or occupation. And it sounds better than Hooky Day!! (LOL)
I have done it with my kids as well.
I am lucky to have been with my company long enough that I get more than the standard 2 weeks. I hoard those extra days to use as Mental Health days when the vacation is too far away and there are no long holiday weekends in the immediate future.
Yes, I put one of your audio books on my headphones and then escape into some mindless task. Mindless so that I can concentrate on the world you are pouring into my ears while doing something I really don’t like doing. Your cleaning shelves is the perfect example of mindless. Now find yourself a book/world that you enjoy visiting and take yourself a “mind vacation.”
By the way, crafting can be “mindless.” I have not found one, yet, that doesn’t have the repetition factor that skips complete concentration. When you get to where you do need to pay attention, you can just turn the mp3 player off for a while.
May I respectfully suggest getting a massage? It’s good for stress, it feels great, and nothing is required of you except to lay there and enjoy.
I second the motion! Research has revealed that in addition to the expected effect of the massage, endorphins are released in both the client and the therapist. So perfect to offset the physical effects of hunching over the computer doing edits, and even more perfect to offset the Mehs. 🙂
Yes. I work in a technology environment and no matter how much you do, there is always some more that needs to be done, whether it’s deadline installation, an upgrade, an emergency, and on and on it goes. Eventually, you hit a wall. And I realize taking a time out for yourself is not a bad thing. Depending on the season, I’ll decompress by spending time planting a few flowers or starting seeds of my favorite vegetables or maybe bird watching out the window or my newer hobby of coloring. I really enjoy watching the effects of blending the soft core colored pencils and seeing the creativity that’s been hiding to reveal itself.
Sometimes, when I’m off work, I’ll do absolutely nothing that I would consider productive. Just putter around and wait for my “batteries” to recharge. 🙂 Eventually, you get your second wind.
You and Gordon take care of yourselves.
I have days where I cannot conceive of doing anything. This happens more often if the weather is cold and cloudy or I have been traveling regularly and am finally home. Or I don’t want to do anything except read my comfort books….
What is the other game?
Yes. That is one I pull out a book by a favorite author – usually Ilnoa Andrews – and become a hermit. Enjoy your mental vacation.
Yes, but I usually have some energy to read or color. I love my colored pencils.
Definitely. It happens when you’re tapped out. Just because this edit of Wildfire wasn’t so bad doesn’t mean you aren’t tapped out–even just as a blog reader, I know you’ve both been running hard for quite a while now, and I’m sure there have been many other things in your lives that never made it to the blog! I’ve found that taking a day or two to get caught up on sleep, and then absolutely forcing myself to go do something I usually enjoy (so maybe taking that mini-vacation, for you, or going out for the day in town to places you like) helps reset me. I have to force myself to do it (or sometimes my husband just decides and gets us all out of the house 🙂 ), but it helps once I do!
Totally understand having the “Meh’s”. Usually I try and go with the flow as I feel I probably need the break. If I have to do things, I give myself mini breaks and little rewards.
I read to relax (of course!) That’s why I’m hungrily waiting for your next book ?. I just finished the last book in th Cemetery Queen series by Amanda Stevens. Have you read her? It’s about a cemetery restorer who can see ghosts. Very spooky and creepy. Fun, fun. Enjoy your rest.
Oh, yes. So much yes. And the worst thing is that I don’t want to do a thing and yet I need to do anything, since I am unable to just be idle. And everything is annoying – books, tv shows, crocheting, nature, people. I would just sleep and not talk with anyone but can’t sleep since it’s impossible to sleep for days and not wake up (hello, empty stomach!). So, I empathize.
Yes. I’ve promised myself if I can make it through this week I can go for a long Sunday drive and look at wildflowers–if I can make myself get up on Sunday, that is…
Take care. Maybe a nice tall glass of iced tea?
When I have one of those days I usually reread one of my favorite books, many of which are yours. A new book won’t work, it has to be something I’ve read before so I already know the ending and can just relax all the way through it. I find that very comforting. Hope you feel more lively soon. You definitely work too hard!
I read your books.
Just finished day two on 6 hrs of sleep total so I could study for a political science, animal science, and an organic chemistry test I had today. I completely understand the feeling of not wanting to do anything haha
Yes. Sometimes you just need a lay back and just chill day. I’m so ready to start playing Andromeda but I’m waiting a bit for all the criticism slow down. Anyhow, thanks for such good stories. Take a break you deserve it! :o)
This right here just cements why you’re one of my favorite authors of all time. My gaming soulmate! Lol. Anywho, ME: Andromeda has been fun combat-wise, but you’re right. Definitely isn’t sucking me in completely like the other three games. When the baby was napping today, instead of gaming, I did yard-work. ?
Maybe it’s spring fever?? The sun did finally came out for us poor Portlanders…. ?
Just like today 😀
Of course. I’m under a ton of stress as we’re hitting the end of the school year. Parents of 8th graders are freaking out, I’m planning trips, a musical, music for Mass every week, interesting lesson plans for the whole school, a talent show where everyone gets to participate, meetings after school (I live 30 miles away), we’re trying to get the house ready to sell, packing, finding a contractor that will call us back and take our money, oh and people want me to do this and that and this child over here freaked out and….
My plate is full. So full. I was playing trumpet for a colleague’s band because his main trumpet player won’t be there for the concert. It’s sinus season and I forgot. Started playing and detonated something in my skull. I barely made it home. Next day I was teaching my classes from a chair because if I tried to walk I got nauseated. I decided to stay home today. I have NEVER taken a sick day (almost impossible as a teacher). But today, I’m home, it’s raining and I’m going to do nothing but heal. My skull can only take so much.
oh, totally. on those days, I camp out on the couch, eat breakfast all day, and either watch something brainless (hello, project runway!) or lose myself in books. the book depends on my mood, but generally rereading a favorite – you guys, john sandford, jk rowling, patricia briggs, mercedes lackey… – where I am revisiting an already loved story and characters.
eventually, I get disgusted with my own sloth and come creeping out again, but that can take days.
1st time commenting, love your books! My husband started the Mass Effects game as well but everyone says the new Zelda game is THE hottest game right now (though that requires the Switch).
I definitely have days when I don’t want to do anything. For me, normally those days are due to either burn out or procrastination. Take it easy and relax (please don’t burn out because as I mentioned I love your books :).
I think it is a way our bodies say, “Enough! I am making you listen to me! All systems are down. ” and then we collapse. Sometimes, it can be ugly, like, hit every branch of the ugly tree on the way down to the hard ground, ugly. We are constantly engaging our fight or flight instinct so our relaxation response is naturally weaker.
It is healthy and necessary to slow down, redirect and allow ourselves to be fully in the moment. Sadly, that is harder than it seems. We have this need to make things complicated because we don’t want to believe the solution is something so simple as taking a deep breath. Do we need the high anxiety of motivation and deadlines? Absolutely, but not all the time. Music, chamomile- lavender tea with honey, fuzzy socks, cats, the Calm app on your phone, whatever makes your inner voice say, “Ahhhhhhh, this is nice…” won’t make problems disappear but is will allow you to return to them stronger than you were.
Before I retired I would usually feel like that when I was off work. On weekends I had to push myself to do the stuff that needed to be done around the house. I loved to take a day of vacation just to sit and read or watch TV or sleep. I was lucky that my job was generous with vacation days and sick leave. You acquired more hours the more years you put in so I eventually could take a day to recharge whenever I felt the need.
Good time to get a massage, mani-pedi, facial and haircut. A full-day pampering session.
Lately, I find the weather dictating the days I find myself muh! I’m so ready for Spring. The past several days were beautiful 60’s-60’s. I accomplished so much: cooking, spring cleaning, buying summer clothes for the kiddos and getting the kids out of the house. Today I wake up it’s cold & 45, raining, and gray outside. I declared it PJ day. I couldn’t motivate myself to do anything. I do have Rheumatoid Arthritis and the cold/rain increase my pain.
PS Throughout my Spring cleaning I discovered my family hordes the other 11 mouth out of the year. I need a professional organizer.#overwhelmed
I’ve noticed that if there are enough “should”s my brain turns into a wall of NO and then nothing happens.
… should do the laundry, should pick up around the house, should do the dishes, should send a package, should post to instagram…. = Nope.
I think should is a dangerous word that should (ahem) be only used for the critical life-giving life-maintaining things. Like, make it to work. Like, don’t work outside of work (and you have my deepest sympathy that you have to figure out where that line is drawn every single day. Decisions like that are exhausting). Eating once a day.
Everything else really is optional.
So if the fague hits, let it ride. And if it lasts an abnormally long time, look into it. But everyone has a disproportionally-tired-today kinda days every once in a while.