Anti-Social

Yeah, I’ve been feeling anti-social lately. I’ve been working with a lot of people at work every day recently and my mental batteries are drained.

I’ve also been doing a lot of multi-player gaming and being social online has drained me.

I started slowly working on my favorite writing WIP again and I’m 99% sure I’ll attempt to publish in some fashion. But I think about how drained I am now and see how sociable a lot of writers are on social media and the idea of marketing is also very draining.

I just constantly wonder how to build a fan base when you’re to emotionally exhausted to post, write, and interact.

I felt like I had more to say but I’m tired.

I’m really going through it

Working A LOT. Then managing the household. Having a hard time finding the energy to do what I really want to do – write. I’m so bogged down mentally.

And now my male cat is having health issues. 7 years old, at the vet 3x in 7 days for fecal blockage. Found a bladder stone. I bought the Royal Canine G/I food designed to help his stool + hopefully tackle the stone so he doesn’t need surgery.

I feel like I haven’t slept in days. My house is a wreck. I’m a wreck. I just really don’t know what to do anymore.

And I started this site to talk about writing, but it’s turned into a rant fest and I apologize to those who came for the writing and gaming and stayed for the mental illness whining.

I need therapy.

It’s been a while…

The anti-depressants didn’t work. My doctor told me they think I’m depressed and anxious and I should seek a psychiatrist. My insurance is not the best, so finding someone affordable in my area hasn’t been helpful. Sure I have the option for an online doctor who wants $200 up front and multiple sessions or another doctor who wants $75 per online session, but can’t guarantee how quickly I can be diagnosed.

I never thought I would be here… frustrated knowing something is not right, but not being able to know… I’m forgetful with a lot of things, important things: dates, tasks, people. Even when I’m obsessed with something I can’t retain enough information about it to explain what it is or why I like it to people. I’ve been ridiculed for it for numerous reasons. Made to feel dumb.

I’ve been doing even more research lately. Watching videos from people talk about their mental health, diagnoses, their experiences in general. Everything is leading to ADHD. I know that sounds stupid to just assume, but there are more symptoms than the two things I mentioned that overlap with symptoms of ADHD in real people, not just textbooks.

I’m feeling overwhelmed in my own head because there’s so many things I want to do and I feel like I can’t. I don’t know if I’m looking for validation in my apparent executive dysfunction or an excuse. And I know that sounds dumb, but I am constantly feeling guilty… and that’s a whole mess on its own.

It’s been a while

I stopped taking my meds.

I felt good at first, but I think it was because I felt numb. But my jokes about suicide got darker, my friends were getting worried. Then there was an issue with my doctor’s office and the refill was delayed so I said eff it.

I missed writing and being creative. I’ve been feeling that spark again. But with it comes the sadness. My doctor and my friends keep recommending therapy, and while I’m so pro-therapy, I can’t get myself to take my own advice and schedule an appointment. I think it’s because I don’t trust anyone. I tried therapy when I was in middle school or junior high and they told my parents everything I said. I needed help and someone to talk to and instead the told my parents about me trying to kill myself from overdosing and cutting myself in places no one would see and my parents freaked out so I lied. After my parents got divorced, I tried to go again but I was so silent I made everything awkward. I said I was fine and didn’t feel the need to be there.

But my heart is heavy. I have all of my feelings back, my creativity, but no motivation. Or do I hold myself back out of fear of rejection and criticism?

I podcasted, I streamed, I make tiktoks, I write; I’m too inconsistent to make anything out of anything.

I can’t even keep up with my own website/blog. I may disband this eventually.

Medicated

I finally did it… I went to a doctor and talked about some thoughts, feelings, behaviors I’m noticing, etc. They diagnosed me with anxiety and depression and prescribed me an SSRI. It was nice that it wasn’t pressured. It was an option, therapy was promoted more. I took the weekend to think it over and I started a low dose on Tuesday.

I’m tired. All the time. But I work crazy hours and keep myself going. I’m still productive, but I don’t have the fire I use to. My friend called to check on me, she could hear a difference. She said I sounded flat. I get a little nauseous in the morning, but it usually only lasts a few minutes. I tried playing a video game last night and I was just awful. Like my reaction time was so slow. It made me really sad. But I’m going to try again this weekend. It seems I feel more sluggish in the morning and before bed. I’ve been taking the meds in the evening because I was afraid I’d be too tired during the day.

The upside, my brain is still mine. I still have the same thoughts and feelings. I just don’t get as stressed out. I don’t jump to conclusions as quick or react negatively right off the bat. Like it toned my emotions down to let my brain process what’s happening and make a more conscious decision. I just need to get passed the tired phase, at least I hope it’s a phase. I feel dizzy right now actually. Like pressure in my head and my face is numb. This happened Wednesday too. It’s weird. I need a nap.

I HAVE NO TIME

So, in true one thing after another fashion… I’m now working 60+ hours a week. My brain won’t stop thinking about new story ideas… UNTIL I HAVE TIME TO SIT DOWN AND WRITE.

I also realize again just how awful I am at being social on the internet. Because on one hand I just want to share my writing and I want people to love it, but on the other hand, I’m still terrified someone will steal it. I don’t know why I’m so paranoid, there’s so many fun works floating out there from other amateur writers. I’m sure it’s just my brain being against me.

Also, I’ve been really sad lately because I love Webtoons and I think I could move my stories into Webtoons, but I have no artistic talent or no any artists interest in that medium.

Blech. It’ll be fine. I’m sure.

Disappearing Act

So if you couldn’t tell, I’m not super consistent with my updates.

I’ve been extra tired lately. The loss of my grandmother hits me in unexpected waves and I feel a constant looming sadness. Guilt comes to me at random as well. I’m not the best at dealing with trauma. I don’t know how to process it.

Not an excuse, but a reality. I still want to write. I’m continue soon. But I just wanted to vent into the void.

Still bummed out

I would check the weather for my grandma when we Skyped. Her location is saved in my weather app. My heart hurts.

Feeling better

There’s a foot of snow on the ground, it’s 30°, but I’m feeling warm inside today.

I keep trying to stave off the “oh god, what’s going to go wrong” thoughts. Doing ok with that so far.

Thinking more and more about how to comfortably share my favorite wip without giving everything away at once. I picked up some ideas from other new authors, so I may just start sharing scene peeks and character info. More on that later. Back to work.

Writing Woes

I finally put up chapter one of my WIP on Patreon. Of course it’s behind a tier because I’m too afraid of rejection to actually show anyone.

I’ve also been so stressed yet (yay holiday season) that I haven’t even written anymore because I can’t focus on anything for more than 2 seconds, which stresses me out. (Yay whatever is going on in my brain that I’m too lazy and stressed out to talk to a professional about)