i need a kick in the...

topic posted Mon, August 16, 2004 - 1:39 PM by  ra
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hey everyone,

i can't focus! my situation is nearly unbearable, in terms of having strayed from my life path (with the exeption of my dj pursuits which are amazingly 'successful' without even really trying... or so it seems to me) and instead of taking all the right steps i feel as though i'm doing nothing.

i feel like i should be: making contacts, working on... something... trying harder, enthusiastic, putting myself out there, blah blah blah...

instead i find myself feeling like its nice outside, warm weather is scarce around here sometimes, i should be at the beach... then i go to the beach and find myself thinking... i should be (see above)

and i feel very unfulfilled, directionless, and purposeless. i feel like i lack the resources to take the next steps, (ie. training, purchasing necessary equipment, etc) and so i fritter away my time, thinking, thinking, thinking in a big circle and therefore not acting.

i'm so frustrated i want to bang my head against the wall. even the things are normally enjoy aren't that much fun right now. i'm going on vacation next week to a lovely island (here in BC) (house trade, that's how i can even semi-afford it) and i find myself thinking i should have taken my vacation pay and bought something useful with it...

every day i worry, worry, worry about what i am going to do to turn my life around and i'm really getting on my own nerves!

i try to stay positive but i'm not.

has anyone gone through this and come out on the other side? i need to know its possible, that this isnt' all there is to my life!

*sigh*

thanks for letting me rant...

ra
posted by:
ra
offline ra
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  • Re: i need a kick in the...

    Mon, August 16, 2004 - 2:16 PM
    Woulda, coulda, shoulda. You've got something going for you with your DJ pursuits, right? So you're working. You're taking a vacation to relax... so enjoy it! Tell yourself you can worry about finding the resources for this unknown new journey when you get back. It seems to be the American way to worry about everything we possibly can, work ourselves ragged, and then never give ourselves some down time and a pat on the back for a job well done. You aren't super-human, you can't do everything all at once. Once day at a time, you will climb this mountain you've put in front of yourself. And if you don't have the right tools to climb this mountain? Maybe you're not supposed to yet.
  • Re: i need a kick in the...

    Mon, August 16, 2004 - 2:33 PM
    Sounds like your under a ton of self-induced stress that you don't need. It's nice to take a break from your goals ever once in awhile but obviously you have been breaking a little too long for your own subconscious. If you don't normally worry a lot maybe your picking up that you need to get it together now or life will be passing you by. There are a ton of strange groups in here that make you think about life and rejuvinate your soul. Maybe you need to rethink your whole life and make a new set of goals. I wish you the best!
    • Re: i need a kick in the...

      Mon, August 16, 2004 - 3:39 PM
      Hi Ra,

      You need a hug, not a kick!

      I have been in a similar space before, mind going in circles, beating myself up for what I should (?) be doing. If you're having trouble focusing your mind might be telling you something that you aren't perceiving on a conscious level yet. Can you give yourself some mental processing space?

      One day at a time is how I've been managing lately too. I do a little work here, a little work there on the concrete things, and write when abstractions really buzz and take over my head. Being patient with myself has helped a lot too. If all this is accompanied/caused by anxiety, you need space for that to express itself in as well.

      I'm also an "eat the icing last" type of person...if I really want a distraction from what I "must" do, I sort of make deals with myself..."I will put some laundry in, then go for a walk..."

      To keep things in perspective, I've put up maps around my apartment of the places I plan to travel to this year. That way if I don't know what to do with myself, I'll remember that I can always do something that will help out my plans. Hope that makes sense.

      You can get through this difficult period. It will probably take some digging and patience. Let your good buddies know where you're at, and let them make you some tea!

      Shannon


      • Re: i need a kick in the...

        Sat, September 4, 2004 - 8:39 AM
        Ra I think that we all go through this at some points. I find myself constantly saying to myself if I'd only done this or gone in that direction or jumped on that opportunity I'd be where I want to be. I know exactly what you are talking about. I like Shannon's map idea because it could be applied to a whole range of different things and remind you of what you are working for. Keep the faith.
        • Re: i need a kick in the...

          Mon, September 27, 2004 - 9:29 AM
          Imagine being on a giant sailing vessel, and you are moving along at an amazing speed. Then gradually, the wind starts to die down. And the ship is going slower and slower. Finally, it's not moving at all, just drifting along, becalmed. Worrying won't make the wind blow. It's frustrating to be stuck there. But those periods where nothing seems to be moving are part of the big picture too. Things will change at any moment, because the only thing constant is change. Before you know it, the wind will blow again and you can set sail in a new direction. I promise.
          • Re: i need a kick in the...

            Tue, March 1, 2005 - 9:25 AM
            I love this thread... thank you, guys. I wanted to keep this alive!
            We all go through our slow/challenging times-- they actually help us get back on track and help define the individual we are. I'm a big believer in these times of question...we learn the most about ourselves from them.
            • Re: i need a kick in the...

              Mon, April 18, 2005 - 7:28 PM
              i agree about our times in question. i spent three years post college paying off alot of debt and slowly planning my trip out of the country. i knew in 1999 that i wanted to live in mexico. and after graduating college in 2001 i still had the three years to pay off everything and save some funds to take off. that was plenty of time to bang my head on the wall. so much planning and time spent waiting that i thought perhaps i wouldn't ever get to leave. but last september i finally left for mexico. i lived there till march. it was worth the wait. and well now i can't wait to get back out. i am in a new position now, the one where my ass has been kicked out and has no desire to be back. so time to focus save and get out again. fortunately this time there is no debt to deal with. only funds to raise, and a journey to construct.

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