I've been adrift lately, thinking about what's left of my life...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I know what I'd like to see happen...

Publish my poetry, travel, see my DU friends...

Get more fit, maybe lose some more weight...

But some days I just feel so lethargic, so lacking in drive...

I just stew in my own juice at those times and then I feel unhappy with myself...

Unsure what to do with myself...

A few days ago, I was in this funk, and then something happened. I realized that the only person who could get me going was me.

So...I snapped to, the funk's over, and things look clearer to me.

Hey, just some rambling thoughts on this Thursday evening...

I hope all of you are in a much better place than I was, for sure...

[tigereye]

1. my mom always used to quote this

"I am the captain of my ship, I am the master of my fate."


Oddly, we are often the only ones who can get our lives moving in the direction we want. I sometimes forget this in the bustle of work, parenting, winter and home maintenance. I am the only one who can make these things happen.


Good luck on your journey. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear tigereye...

Indeed, and that quote is very appropriate...

But you have to really feel it to act on it, in my experience anyway, and this week I felt it.

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

[Aristus]

2. Oh CalPeg...I'm glad you snapped out of it. You had me worried.

I realize just now that I made a big mistake in calling it "snapping out of it." If there's one thing my Behavioral Medicine class has taught me, it's that depression isn't something you can just snap out of. It is to be taken seriously. I'm sorry for my lapse...

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Aristus...

Ah, sweetie...you haven't said anything like that to me...Not that I remember, anyway...

I wasn't really depressed...just lethargic.

Not to worry...

I am really OK...

Thank you for your kind words...

:hug:

[Inchworm]

3. Glad you feel back on top

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Inchworm...

Thanks, sweetie...

It is a relief!

:hug:

[TK421]

7. My dear Peggy, I would LOVE to stir in your juices!!

ummm....that didn't come out as expected, but I'm glad you are out of your funk! I have certainly been in them myself! :D



Now....lets talk about your husband who posts here...what is his name? :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear TK421!

LOL!

Thanks, sweetie, for your wonderful compliments! Funks are no fun, not one little bit...

And as for my husband...no dice, sweetie...

:hug:

[TK421]

9. My dear Peggy....

I gave you a hug, damnit! What is his name?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I love teasing you, but you knew that right?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. You did indeed give me a hug, and I returned it with love!

I have no problem with your teasing me, silly!

I know you love to do it, and it's all good!

I'm sorry, but he doesn't want his name revealed...

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[graywarrior]

11. I feel the same way alot. But today....

we did a laugh program for people in their 90's who were a blast to be around. Funk gone, replaced by hope.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear graywarrior!

Now, that's the ticket!

One of the surest ways to feel better when you're down, is to help someone else feel better...

We all must have hope...

:hug:

[Maestro]

14. Now that does seem fun!

:rofl:

[Maestro]

13. Been doing the same...no real reason.

Went to the doc to see if medicine was the answer. After talking to him, we decided it wasn't. I have tried to refocus myself taking a few mental health holidays from work. I'll be back on Monday. Of course, today I actually was sick. Anyhow, I am glad to hear that your outlook is brighter. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear Maestro...

I'm sorry to hear that you've been touched by this too...

It's no fun at all...

Part of it might be the shorter winter days. I really need the sun!

I hope you will very soon feel better too, sweetie...

Thank you for your kind words!

:hug:

[soleft]

15. You're the comeback kid!

I like to remind myself that nothing lasts - everything is constantly changing. Which means even those sluggish funky periods don't last, like the tide they wash away and you find yourself again.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. My dear soleft...

I think you're probably right about that...

But it's hard to think it when you're stuck in the middle of it.

I like your tide metaphor!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[harmonicon]

17. I've been feeling the same way

I know that it's me that has to do something about it, but I just don't have that "snap" - I'm just wallowing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear harmonicon...

Ah, sweetie...I'm sorry you're stuck in this mess too...:hug:

Remember I was stuck there for some time, wallowing...

I guess what happened was I got fed up with feeling that way, and then I was able to break loose...

There have been times when I need professional help to do it, though.

I hope you feel much better quickly...

:hug:

[harmonicon]

20. thanks

I have my ups and downs, but mostly downs in the past few weeks (some ups). It's just a vicious cycle; nothing good happens, so I don't feel like doing anything - if I don't do anything, nothing good is going to happen. I know that. I just need something to get me started.

[MikeH]

21. I would also want to say that we need to be gentle with ourselves

Usually if we are in a blue mood, or if we feel lethargic, we need to accept our feeling the way we do, and be gentle with ourselves, and not judge ourselves for feeling down or lethargic.

It is important to not push ourselves too hard when we are in such a mood.

It helps to try to do one little thing, and not worry and get overwhelmed by the big picture, as I very often do.

While ultimately we need to take responsibility for ourselves, we often need help from other people.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear MikeH...

Ah, I agree...And yes, the big picture can be overwhelming...

But I'd been wallowing for some time, and I was sick of it.

I had had enough, and that made it easier to motivate myself...

But for sure, I agree with your post. There have been times when I did need help from other people, and I didn't hesitate to get it...

Thanks...

:hug:

[UrbScotty]

22. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

I feel lethargic quite often, so I can relate to what you were feeling.

But you're right - it's always good to have that jolt of motivation to get out of that funk!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear UrbScotty!

Glad to hear I'm not alone! After awhile, I just get fed up, and then it's over...

Thanks, sweetie...

:hug:

[derby378]

25. I felt rather deflated and lethargic shortly before the inauguration

I think a lot of it stemmed from my insistence that Bush answer for his crimes. And maybe he will eventually. But I'm emerging out of my own funk, and it helps that we now have a President who acts like he deserves to be in the White House. So I'm feeling some long-dormant energy start to circulate through my body again.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. My dear derby378...

I have had similar responses to his election too...

His actions give me so much hope!

I still need to work on my own motivation, though...

Thanks for coming by tonight, sweetie!

:hug:

[denbot]

27. We got your back Miss C-P..

Charge!!!

Denbot
A.K.A.
puerco-bellies

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear denbot!

I know you do, sweetie!

Thanks for everything...

:hug:

[av8rdave]

29. Glad you're out of the funk an back in the saddle as the saying goes!

I'm in a great mood tonight (OK, the sedation hasn't completely worn off yet). Finally got the 100% clean bill of health I was hoping for. No more tests/procedures, no surgery, and no more worries!

If I weren't already high on happy juice, I'd have a beer!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear av8rdave!

I'm thrilled to hear your great news! A clean bill of health cannot be underestimated, IMHO!

Thanks for your good wishes, sweetie...:hug:

[bluesbassman]

30. Thanks for sharing your experience Peggy.

These days it's very easy to become overwhelmed, and lethargy is a prominent symptom. You are of course correct that the only person who can overcome lethargy is the person who's enduring it. I'm pleased to hear you've been rejuvenated!:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. My dear bluesbassman...

Ah, you're welcome!

I find this sort of thread to be very therapeutic...

And my friends coming by to talk is a wonderful thing!

:hug:

[CreekDog]

31. Just like we get colds in our noses and aches in our stomachs

we get a little malaise in our heads sometimes.

i think it happens to all of us.

but i'm glad those feelings passed. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear CreekDog...

And that is exactly right!

Thank you, sweetie...

I too am glad!

:hug:

[applegrove]

35. I hope you know how much we appreciate you here on the DU. You are our rock. The Doyenne of the DU.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. My dear applegrove...

Every now and then, someone will say something like you just did, and then I remember it all over again...

Thank you, sweetie...

You have no idea how much it helps. I have a little girl hidden inside me, one who knows that nobody will ever love her or cherish her...

Times like this she feels happy...when people say things like you just did.

Blessings on you!

:hug:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

37. You're brilliant.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear HCE...

(Please forgive my abbreviation...that is just too long to type!)

And I thank you for your compliment, but I hardly feel brilliant...

Every now and then I get a glimpse of it, but mostly I just cope...

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

38. get your thyroid checked

seriously

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear NMDemDist2...

Now, that's a thought...

Thank you, sweetie!

:hug:

[lunatica]

39. My dearest CaliforniaPeggy, been there done that and expect

I'll be there again.

Those down times have made me stronger and less fearful.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear lunatica!

Ah, you too?

I've been there before, too...but now I feel as though I have much less time left in my life to accomplish what I want...

That thought spurs me!

Thanks for your good thoughts, sweetie...

:hug:

[madrchsod]

40. same here...but then i realize

better make the the best of what time i have left...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. My dear madrchsod!

Indeed....that thought motivates me too!

And it's not as though I'm dying right now...

I'm not...

But still...the years are precious. I don't want to waste them...

Thank you, sweetie!

:hug:

[RedCloud]

41. Free advice FWIW

What I do is this:

Walk water walk = walk in the morning drink water like crazy and walk in the evening and the weight comes flying off. Might scare some, but I figure having a car slows us down metabolically speaking. Actually I was a phys anthro and humans do need this.

5 Tibetans. They claim a lot. And I feel deliver! My allergies are gone as with pain around the joints. Maybe I am unique. The Internet knows where they are.

Human grade DE. This really does wonders...

Good luck.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. My dear RedCloud...

All of this is excellent advice, and I thank you for it...

I have resumed going to the gym, and I am feeling much more motivated about what I want in my life...

I feel much more in control, and in charge.

I've heard good things about the 5 Tibetans; I will check them out...

DE? What is this?

Thank you for your good wishes!

:hi:

[Lil Missy]

42. Happens to me every year at this time. I call it my "annual post-holiday funk."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. That could certainly be part of it...

I think, for me, that it's more a function of the shorter days...

And it will pass.

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[libodem]

47. I think we have to have the funk

to appreciate the good times. Spring is on the way winter's almost gone. I think the world of you, CP. You are so nice to everyone. I go through the same thing with the blues. You are not alone.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. My dear libodem...

You are too kind, sweetie...

I hear you...spring is my favorite season...I love the tender green shoots, and the longer days...

It is good to know that I'm not alone...

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

[DFW]

51. Dear Peg

When I turned 50, I wrote a column about it, and mentioned a few things I
still wanted to do: Learn to play the 5 string banjo like Earl Scruggs,
meet my grandchildren,* swim with a whale shark, learn to speak fluent
Cantonese, play the fiddle like Aly Bain (trust me on that if you don't
know the name).

Well, I turn 57 this year, and I haven't done any of that stuff yet, BUT:
Mother Nature (remember, the one it's not nice to fool?) had me slated to
do a permanent fade out on April 30, 2004, and I missed my appointment in
Samarkand (if you know what I mean) by the purest chance. It could still
happen any second, or maybe not until I'm 102 like my grandfather. Hell if
I know.

But I remember what Harry Truman used to quote--a tombstone he saw in Arizona:
"Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damndest."

Now, I don't know if I've got 40 years left or 40 minutes, but in whatever time
I have left I'm gonna do my damndest. That's all you can do. That's all anyone
can do. Don't sweat it if you don't follow in the shoes of Alexander the Great
or Shakespeare. Do what you think you oughtta do, and be glad you're around to
do it!

*PS--I don't yet have any grandchildren--that I know of, anyway ;-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear DFW!

What a terrific post!

Thank you...

I am mostly doing my damndest...

And I am certainly doing what I think I ought to do!

It's a very good feeling, isn't it?

I am eternally grateful to still be here, with all my dear friends!

:hug:

[DFW]

54. THAT sounds a lot better than the OP

I'll just take the OP as a minor aberration, and tell the folks to move along, nothing to see here....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. Ah, but remember, I did say this:

So...I snapped to, the funk's over, and things look clearer to me.

My OP was an aberration, indeed...

[DFW]

57. I caught that later on

It's 1:40 AM here, and I gotta get to bed! I'll be on a train for something like 8
hours tomorrow, and if I sleep through a connection, I'll end up in Vienna instead
of Geneva (or some such ignoble fate).

[deutsey]

I've been battling a funk myself

It might be related to a "mid-life crisis", but I think it's more than that. I'm actually stuck in a pretty dead-end job that's unfulfilling and relatively pointless. It didn't start off that way, but that's the way it is now. With where I live (somewhat rural area), and the way the economy is, and my family situation, I don't see a way out.

But, like you, I realize I'm the one ultimately control of how I define all this and how I deal with it.

Thanks for encouraging me to keep going on that path. :-)

[deutsey]

53. I've been battling a funk myself

It might be related to a "mid-life crisis", but I think it's more than that. I'm actually stuck in a pretty dead-end job that's unfulfilling and relatively pointless. It didn't start off that way, but that's the way it is now. With where I live (somewhat rural area), and the way the economy is, and my family situation, I don't see a way out.

But, like you, I realize I'm the one ultimately control of how I define all this and how I deal with it.

Thanks for encouraging me to keep going on that path. :-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

56. My dear deutsey...

I am happy to have provided you with some encouragement!

We all need it from time to time...

I hope you can improve your lot in life, sweetie...

:hug: