HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What a year 2012 was, right? It's pretty amazing how fast a year goes by the more I "grow up." More things to do, more places to be, so on and so forth, and yet I'm finding myself to be a glutton for punishment. Just ask E. R. King at her writerly gathering last week!
Hey ... who invited my clone to this thing?
From awesome left to stellar right: J. A. Bennett, Morgan Shamy, Liegh Covington, Elana Johnson, Erin Summerill, Donna King Weaver, Peggy Eddleman, Katie Dodge,, E. R. King, and ... some weird guy ... (who let him in the picture?).
Anyway, it was a fantastic time, and wanted to thank Emily (who has a striking resemblance to Zooey Deschanel, btw) for spending some of her valuable visiting time (and her relatives' home) for setting this shindig into motion. We had a great time - hope you did too!
* * *
Now it's time for a little insecurity!
While I have much to be insecure about, as much as the next person, this is less an insecure post as it is an announcement about serious junk I've been dealing with lately, which might have an impact on how I live my life this year. Bear with me.
I do most of my writing and blogging at night, and comment during the day, if I'm lucky. Because I have to get up early for work in the morning and help with convincing children that sleep is a good idea at night, I'm left to a couple hours of total time - 10 hours max a week. I find myself up past midnight on most nights, and sadly, it's taken its toll. You may not have noticed, but something was degenerating with my life, so I got meself evaluated.
What did we find out? I've been hit by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Which means I'm in big trouble if I don't start sleeping 8+ hours a night, every night, for a long time to come. The good news is I'm getting treated, but the sucky news is I may not be as active a member of the blogging community as I'd like to be for a while. It all depends on factors where only a few of them are controllable (and finally getting over a 3-week cold is a welcome relief). That doesn't mean I've given up the blogosphere, it just means changes are in the air that I've yet to figure out. I hope to have a plan set and put into motion by Monday next week. Can I borrow your management tips?
Anyone else dealt with/ is dealing with this fatigue problem? Any suggestions to revitalize and give this bod a restful night's sleep?
I'm David, and we survived 2012 - bring on 2013!
Party looks like it was fun!
ReplyDeleteGet your sleep. Your health is more important. You can't help your family or do anything productive if you don't.
Hey David, Happy 2013. Looks like a very wonderful group of writers. You were the only rooster in the hen house, huh? LOL
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about the chronic fatique. I live with a chronic illness, an auto-immune disease that keeps my head a bit foggy. I push through it but generally it bites the big one. Please take the time to get the rest you need, I've found the blogging community to be extremely supportive and helpful, even when I can't be "present" or I leave comments twice, transpose letters, make a ton of mistakes..you get the idea.
You can always return when you feel better, and I think you'll find all of us will understand, and still be here when you get back!
Those pictures are great! I sleep for 8-10 hours a night, because I love me some sleep! It's healthy and your health must always come first :)
ReplyDeleteAbove all take care of yourself. Health, family, and then all this other "stuff". Best to you for your health and future-- may you find the pace and direction that is best for you.
ReplyDeleteYour health is important, so take the time to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThe get together looks wonderful. So many awesome writers and friends. Wish I lived closer. Lol
Ah, sleep. I think I've had that syndrome all my life, lol. But yes, in the immortal words of Count Rugen, 'If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything.' So get your 8 hours as instructed and limit your blogging time so you can spend the majority of your free time writing. And hope you feel better asap :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the verdict. Take care of yourself though.
ReplyDeleteEXcellent group photo! Holy cats, these blogger extraordinaires are well-known to me.
ReplyDeleteSleep. I try for seven hours but don't often hit the mark. Eight hours is way beyond my grasp. I have a little trick to fall asleep that involves counting to ten. It is kind of a hypnotist trick and usually works...unless my mind is on the mss. Or work. Or why does the cat keep scratching at the door.
Party looks fun! Sorry to hear about your health issues. Sleep well!
ReplyDeleteSet a more human pace with your blogging. It's tough managing a family, a job, and creativity. Sleep is what I always sacrifice. But, it does catch up. If we don't sleep, we don't heal what ails us.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the plan.
What terrible news! But you have to take care of yourself first. We totally understand and support you anyway. It was so fun seeing you last week, I can't wait until Storymakers to see everyone again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely been at the Chronic Fatigue table. It's not fun. When you collect those management tips, please share!
ReplyDeleteHave a great 2013.
I hope that you start getting more sleep. I was going to go to the get together last Friday, but I didn't want to drive all the way to Provo in the dark by myself and then come back (one hour both ways). Morgan said it was incredibly foggy.
ReplyDeleteI had a serious conversation with myself a few months ago and realized I could be an avid blogger or I could pursue my writing, but not both. So now, I try to hit 10 blogs three days a week, other days if possible, but blogging gets 30 minutes because if it takes longer, writing doesn't get done. You may want to consider pre-writing posts during the weekend when you don't have the job thing getting in the way and then the time you do have during the week would just be visiting others.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself and good luck!
It looks like you had a great time with your writer gathering! I'm sorry to hear about your fatigue. I know nothing about resting better than the next person who suggests eating right, not playing video games right before bed, and getting enough exercise.
ReplyDeleteI still don't know how to fit more life into each day, so I have no help there. Maybe we should petition for a new day length. Although.... it's sort of happening anyway, the moon is trying to sync with us, that would make our days longer (eventually, a full 28 times longer!). Just hang on for a 100 million years or so, and the day will be a lot longer. Right, geologic time is unhelpful.
I am still incredibly pissed off that I wasn't at that party! Oh well, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...yep, I had that in college. They say once you have it, you always have the virus and you have to keep your immune system healthy and strong. HOnestly though, I felt like it was worse in winter. It comes with seasonal depression. Get out of Utah and the snow, I say, and hit up Hawaii! Yep that's my advice!
ReplyDeleteOh, David. I'm so sorry. My husband has Fibromyalgia, so I feel your pain. But pay attention to your doctor and get that rest!
ReplyDeleteI love those pictures with you leaning in. Make me smile every time.
Take care of yourself or you're really have a problem. Good luck, and get to bed!
ReplyDeleteLooked like it was fun! It's nice to see bloggers I follow in action. =) I don't sleep well either. If I sleep six hours I'm lucky. I learned to listen to my body. I stopped forcing myself to sleep and noticed that some days I get a good solid rest while others I don't and I'm still functioning. Long story short (too late) listen to what your body needs. =)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your illness, David. I agree with what everyone else has said, health first get some sleep man! Seriously take it easy and check in to the blog when you can :)
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, new research is showing that all of those prohibitions against caffeine were wrong and you can almost drink as much as you want... as long as that doesn't mean, like, 48 cups an hour.
ReplyDeleteGet sleep and take some multivitamins. It's okay to take a couple more vitamin C poppers than then label suggests. Hope you get rid of the Chronic Fatigue :p Happy New Years, and yay for surviving 2012 :)
ReplyDeleteThat get together looks like it was an awesome way to start the year. Sorry to hear about your health issues, I'm sure you'll settle into a new routine... sorry I don't have any productive tips! But you have to prioritise. We all understand what it's like juggling life and the blog.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, faced that...hum, still facing it. Recommendations: Meditate (HUGE help), Exercise (choose something you enjoy) hot milk, don't work in your bedroom, turn off ALL the lights when you go to bed (including LED lights from electric appliances), eat more lettuce (do not excess on dressings) reduce (if not suppress) coffee and energizing beverages like Red Bull. Choose an hour to go to bed and try to attach to it every day, no matter what. 10pm is most recommendable as body systems start working on detox after that time and they work best when you're asleep. And above all, meditate. (yes, it does help).
ReplyDeleteAbout a year ago, I got off that racetrack of getting only 5 or 6 hours of sleep per night. I feel so much better if I can get 7 or 8. You'll feel so much better and healthier. Take care of yourself first, write later.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gathering you writers had. I feel like I know everyone of you. I hope someone kept notes or a recording or something you can share with us, some anecdotes or something.
ReplyDeleteDavid, definitely get your sleep.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of managing tips, I have found it helpful to schedule designated writing times. That is, instead of trying to squeeze in writing between this and that and spinning my wheels and being frustrated by interruptions, I have a designated block on Monday nights between 7-9:30 or so, when I host The Practice Room. My family knows and respects this time. I might not get other evenings, but I do get this one.
Oh to be a fly on the wall at that shindig! Looks like you had a great time - even your clone had fun!
ReplyDeleteI just mainline coffee, or honestly, I put blogging last. I work 40 hours a week, have family, and life to live. I comment when I can and blog when I can. Just remember it's great to be social, but sleep is better sometimes. :)
David, I remember you telling me about the Chronic Fatigue at the party. So sorry. The good news is now you know what you're dealing with. I'd recommend waking up at the same time each morning, not napping unless it's 30 minutes or less and before the mid-afternoon. Those things will help wire you to a specific bedtime. I have two close friends with fibromyalgia (similar to C.F and some say it's the same thing), and their doctor says they HAVE to be to bed by 11 p.m. every night and they HAVE to exercise 20 minutes, 7 days a week. Nothing's more important than those two things. Good luck. Pace yourself. The best things in life can wait! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun! But the sleep thing does suck. Considering my first time management tip is sleep less, my second is give up the internet. I've been trying to keep all my internet writing related lately, and although it's still a bit of distraction, at least it's writing related. Good luck with everything! (Red Bull is your friend now. But sleep probably works best.) ;)
ReplyDeleteYou guys sure have awesome looking parties! Looks like you wrapped up 2012 in style! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis though and hope that you'll be able to manage CFS and accomplish your goals for this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're going to start getting some good sleep, my friend. Maybe you should ask that clone from the picture to help you out:)
ReplyDeleteYeah, one of the reasons I've cut back on blogging the last couple months is the lack of sleep. I find myself with 3-4 hours most weeknights to keep up; and then I sleep in way too late on the weekends and don't have time for real life. Balance is essential, but it leaves a huge guilt trip.
ReplyDeleteGotta take care of your health though.
......dhole
I hope you feel better. I have dysthymia and even with antidepressants I can find it a struggle to have the energy or desire to do the things I want to do, much less need to do. Trying to find balance is hard, but we all have to take care of the important things (ourselves, our health and family) first and then worry about everything else. Everyone will be here when you are, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that you guys had that gathering! Looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the fatigue syndrome. Hope you are able to get plenty of rest and feel better soon. Here's hoping for a happy and healthy 2013 for you!
ha! Such excellent pictures! You are such a trooper to brave the chaos of all those women! And Emily is definitely brave to allow us all in over for a fun night!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had fun, David! It was a great. It was wonderful talking with you. You are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI know what it means to squeeze in writing and blogging around the edges, but honestly, even the best writing session isn't worth a lasting health concern. Get those Zzzs and take it easy!
ReplyDeleteThe pics were very fun.
First, I think it's wonderful that you get to hang out with some of the fellow bloggers whose names I recognize.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the challenges of juggling all the different things that you do. I was just commenting on another post that it's a lil' past 2 a.m. in California right now. Yours is the last blog I'm visiting tonight, and then I'm going to bed.
Have a wonderful 2013 and may you get some good solid rest. I hope you feel better soon.
Happy New Year, David.
ReplyDeleteYou looked so lonely being the only DUDE amongst all the ladies. LOL. BUT, how awesome to be around SOOOOOO much talent! Glad you guys had such a great time. What a wonderful mini community you all have. We should all be as lucky!
DO what you need to get healthy and NEVER take your health for granted .... ESPECIALLY when you are young ... and yes, YOU ARE YOUNG! You may not feel it right now, but each day will get better. Get the rest you need, and the everything will fall into place!
ALL THE BEST for 2013 and TAKE CARE!
Oh, DPK... How horrible. I'm so sorry for this news--and it's hard enough to balance it all when healthy...
ReplyDeleteRight now, I blog once a week--and it works for me. I still feel like I connect with who I want to connect with, without spending too much time online. Lots of thoughts & prayers for you & Jo. You must get better!!!
Hi David .. it looks like a great party was had by one and all. CFS sounds terrible - and as we'd all say - your health for you and the family is the most important - so take time out and recover somewhat ..
ReplyDeleteDo hope 2013 becomes easier ... cheers Hilary
I'm so sorry you are struggling with this. I know what it is like when those kiddos don't want to sleep. Take the doc's advice and take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteFeel like crap missing this post! Awesome pictures from the party, but so sorry you're having to deal with CFS. I'm glad you've gotten it diagnosed and are taking care of yourself, that's what's most important. Hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Sorry to hear you are suffering from CFS but good that you are taking care of yourself, that's what counts.
ReplyDelete