I am a lucky girl. Since twelve months I am my own boss with my own writing and editing company and I’m making money and having fun. I have a brilliant boyfriend, a loving family and good friends. I am healthy and self-confident. Things are going pretty well.
Things aren’t motionless either. There is constant progress. But sometimes a whole lot of progress can aggravate a whole lot of stress.
I am a lucky girl. But I feel like crap.
The workload
My company is doing almost a bit too well at the moment. I have many small and less small assignments that all need my time as soon as possible. My biggest achievement yet has started two weeks ago: a project of three slash four days a week for four months in another city.
That’s what I call progress: progress that requires some adjustment and changes. No more can I stumble out of bed, slip into my dressing-gown and hide behind my computer with a cup of coffee. Nope, I have to actually dress properly and travel two and a half hours a day. Yes, suddenly I have to work 50 hours a week. It’s exhilarating, of course, but tiring as well.
The workplace
I used to work from home. But, not surprisingly, it turned out to be pretty boring and mind-numbing to be in the same place 24/7. Maia on the other hand runs her drawing business in a shared studio. Some people were leaving and I took the obvious opportunity. Two weeks ago I started working from my own one quarter of space of the studio. And it’s good.
Another bit of progress, I’m sure we all agree on. However, the studio needs a lot of refurbishing and now, with so many people coming and leaving, is the time to do it. That’s why I (well, all of the studio do) now spend all my spare time painting, cleaning and moving the furniture around. It’s starting to look wonderful, but again, it’s very tiring.
The winter
I know I’m a minority, but I actually like winter. I love cuddling up in a blanket on the couch at night. I love the occasional snow and storm. I love Christmas and the whole holiday season. But not even I would even dream of wishing for winter to set in so early. Mid-September? I’m sorry, but we haven’t even had a proper summer yet! I was still waiting for that delayed heat wave so we could at least have enjoyed a real sunny season. I must say, I’m disappointed.
One can argue whether the sudden appearance of the cold season could be called progress, but at least the changing of the seasons is a sign of time passing by. Isn’t that a possible definition of progress? I’m already looking forward to my Christmas tree, however, the world is suddenly so cold and dark, especially in the morning. Getting out of bed has started to become a small but significant daily war again.
As if I wasn’t tired enough already. Three pieces of progress. Three things that would normally bring me lots of joy, but put together they are just tiring and stress inducing. I can only hope my new workplace will be finished some day soon and that I will get used to my workload and the winter in a few weeks time.
All good things come in three, they say. But too much of those good things can turn them pretty sour, to be honest.
Similar columns
- Merry Christmas, even to the Grinches
- Nature turns dark and cold: do we slow down?
- Awoken by the light of summer
- New Year Resolutions
- The innocence of a child
I should ruddy well hope so!
PS : Hope all’s OK :)
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edit by Cecile: this column was actually posted on the 26th. It was called Delay Delay Delay briefly and contained the following:
“Hello dear readers,
Unfortunately, due to personal stress boundaries my weekly column is delayed this week. I will make it up to you!
Cecile”
Left by Mouldy-Old-Tartlet on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008