2008 leads us into the unknown.

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Back in January, which now seems like an eternity, I had great plans for this year. I maintained 4 or 5 blogs, working to keep each of them up to snuff. I was working for a local newspaper and doing some freelance work on line...

Slowly all these things came to a crashing end, some because I was taking on too much and had to realize I was only human. Some because I had to get a “real job,” in order to help pay the bills at home since we had just bought a house.

For nearly 6 months I fell into a cycle of work, blogs falling apart, leaving the newspaper and freelance work suffering terribly.

I could chalk much of this up to my “cycle” as my psychiatrist would call it, which could partially be true. Or the simple idea that I could everything and when I realized I can not, it all falls apart.

Last month, in November, I had the realization that I miss writing. I went back to the newspaper, restarted two of my blogs and recreated my photo blog. (Currently, under construction) and slowly working on a new website for my freelance business. I did learn however, to be careful. I have found several freelance jobs that I would like to tackle, apply for – but through experience know that taking on too much will have terrible consequences – in many ways. So, I must take it slow – which is SO not my nature.

So, what do I have planned for 2009 – ah, for right now I am not completely sure? I want to take my time a do this the right way, not too energetic, not to simple a totally manageable. OK, I can dream – in some way I know it’s not reality, a plan is one thing – keeping to it is another.

I began tracking my moods, which has helped considerably - I know when and why many of my moods occur. For those who have continued to read through my sporadic posts, I thank you.

Here is to a wonderful 2009!!

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Mood Tracking

Ok, I'm writing this post from my Blackberry, so please excuse any mistakes. I'm trying to see how this works.

Anyway, back in May, I believe it was, I decideed to begin tracking my moods. It is something I have not done in quite some time. Well, it is now closing in on the end of November and I can see a significant difference in my moods through the months.

Traditionally, my summers aren't to bad. Come September, however, things change. Now I was able to see how much.

I tracked each day, using mood, energy, and stress/anxiety. Each was given a number of 1 through 10. The results you may ask - well, here ya go.....

For July the average for mood was - 6.2, Energy was 7 and stress/anxiety was 6.4. The numbers then begin to fall dramatically. In the same order, August showed - 5.6, 5.2 and 5.7. Sept showed - 5.1, 4.5, and 6.7. Oct showed - 4.7, 4.6 and 6.4.

Amazing isn't it. Now, granted some of the changes may be situational, but overall it is the cycle and by tracking I am hoping to be able to make changes.

Well, it's off to work - a big source of stress. I hope this works ok, I had planned on moving my blogs to Wordpress, be all high tech and stuff - ok, not for me. To complicated. So here I will remain.

The Blog is moving.........

I wish I could say my absence has been fun, but life has thrown in so many obstacles of late I am wondering which end is up.

Recently I took the step to get back into writing, almost full time - need to have a "real world" job too. To do this I am reworking my blog(s) and a new website to showcase my writing and photography as well as continuing my work with mental illness advocacy!

So, stay tuned, I will let you know when the final move is ready..........should only be a couple days.