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It's the exact half way point of 2018
How was the first half for your goals in life and work or spending or saving. Or just making it to the half way point
How was the first half for your goals in life and work or spending or saving. Or just making it to the half way point
I started the year off with some relaxed time off (and a bad back), then from February through til May, I basically worked non-stop. I started getting a head of steam on a lot of creative projects, most notably on establishing a vlog to document a project that I've been working on putting together for a long time. I haven't even fully pulled the trigger on starting that project yet, but the vlog has been an amazing catalyst for growth and creativity. Took up all my free time from my day job, which is downright exhausting on its own.
So I hit a burnout point pretty hard towards the end of May, and I've taken a break from everything for a bit. Gave myself some time to physically recuperate (I get really beat up at work), catch up with friends I'd been neglecting for months, and generally let myself recharge.
I actually woke up just yesterday feeling more inspired and motivated than I have for months. Feels damned good. Being able to let the fatigue wear off, and the creativity gel and solidify into a plan makes such a huge difference.
The chaotic romantic relationship I had been having for the past few years finally imploded in May, and now seems to be completely dead. I doubt I will ever see her again, or at least not for the foreseeable future. That's probably a good thing.
Academically, I've begun to transition from just being a student to having some kind of involvement in the department. I'll still be an undergrad for a few months, but I'm now spending most of my time working with faculty, assisting with teaching, etc.
I've also managed to lift myself from "very depressed" to "mildly depressed", which is quiet nice. I attribute this to regular exercise, having more fulfilling work, and spending less time on social media. I'm still quiet lonely, but it doesn't gnaw at my soul as much as it did earlier this year. I've learned to let the past lay, to appreciate it for what it was but not to allow it to dominate the present. A lot of this came about from a conversation with a very understanding and caring friend, who I opened up to in a moment of particular despondency. I should really thank her, I'll do that tomorrow.
Lastly, I bought a DLSR and started learning proper photography. I find I really enjoy composing nice shots and editing photos.
Overall the year is going fairly well. There's still an immense amount of uncertainty and doubt, but I don't care as much anymore.
Getting that first step out of prolonged depression makes such a big difference. For me, it means the difference of being able to do any and all of the things that actually help me like getting out, making stuff, writing, and actually engaging with people in a meaningful way. So hopefully that little bit of a difference opens things up for you.
What kind of camera did you get? I recently got an 80D that I'm absolutely in love with. Would love to see some of your work if you'd like an audience.
My dad was diagnosed with ALS and my aunt and uncle with Dementia last October. So, I resigned my teaching post and moved back home. This first half of the year has been a real adjustment - from a 30 year old single band director to the caretaker of a 50 year old, and two 90 year olds. Its been the hardest, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. You wouldn’t think taking 150 kids across the country would be easier than taking a demented couple to the doctor... but it is, by a mile. The experience has changed me on a fundamental level - made me kinder, more aware of others, and fiercely empathetic. It’s made me reevaluate every goal - from my profession to my religion to my political affiliations. It’s like being lost in the woods, but knowing you’re lost in the right part of the woods, you know?
I’ve never written about this directly, so I don’t know if it made sense... but it felt good to put it into words and contemplate them. Thanks for posing such a thought-provoking question, tildes friend!
You are a good human soul. Write about it and write often about it, this helps in coping with the complex problems and demands that arises as time goes on. Writing about it also helps quantify the paradigm shift in your life, helping the transition. Even if what you write is only to yourself, in my own experiences I found it helps considerably.
Be kind to yourself as well. I do hope you seek out and get support from others, professional and from friends/family, as what you have undertaken is challenging and will become more challenging. Make sure you get planned respites because one can easily become overwhelmed over time and as those you care for require increased time and attention. This is often overlooked in my experience.
Fun fact: in Brazil's timezone, today's Brazil-Mexico match's second half started at midday, meaning it started at the exact halfway point of the year, to the minute
Got a promotion, a raise, looking to buy my first house, and I didn't get audited by the IRS for my fucked up tax return I forgot to do for 2016 that I did after 2017.
I'm expecting the second half to be a shit show.
From what I understand the IRS is pretty lenient as long as you're making a good faith effort to pay your taxes. You can probably stop worrying about an audit.
It's been a pretty great year so far. Been to the theater, museum, concert. Watched some great movies. Took up programming again. Bought myself a nice mechanical keyboard (the last one I had was in the last millennium ;-) , an old IBM), which I am very happy with (for the nerds: it's a Leopold FC750R PD (grey/blue) with Cherry MX Brown switches). And I made a reservation for a 10-day silent retreat end of this summer.
The one thing that did not really succeed were my piano lessons. I had some time planned for practicing, but once I started, some other cool stuff had to get some priority and my practice faded away. But I am very happy with how my life is right now. How was your first half of the year?