Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

Firewalker

Thank you all for the tips – they all make sense. Will buy a bottle of spirits (dehydrates you so that there will be no need to go to the bathroom but will sleep well); will take my duvet and look at it as a positive experience of growth. It may be a good way to celebrate the first day of my sabbatical (which is starting on Friday). The Shewee thing – well I did say it is a good idea not that it is good practice!

Today, I have felt rather out of balance again. You know when you just can’t seem to put your finger on it but you know that things are not right; things are not going as you wish them to; and even worse, start thinking that they are never going to be. Angst builds up and mood goes down. This is exactly how I feel.

As OH keeps saying, nothing has changed in the last three days or so. It may be that the sabbatical is opening a range of possibilities. I have a year to do exactly what I want to do and making up my mind is really hard. That most of the year will be devoted to writing is certain; what to focus on writing is a different matter entirely. Do I focus on writing academic paper and get a professorship? Do I write an academic book make a serious and enduring mark internationally? Or do I have some fun and build up the blog, write a book that is read?

It is likely that these are not discrete but nested options – where is the Ockham’s razor?

Firewalker

Triciaxx

Firewalker wrote: »

Thank you all for the tips – they all make sense. Will buy a bottle of spirits (dehydrates you so that there will be no need to go to the bathroom but will sleep well); will take my duvet and look at it as a positive experience of growth. It may be a good way to celebrate the first day of my sabbatical (which is starting on Friday). The Shewee thing – well I did say it is a good idea not that it is good practice!
Could be, if you feel your family are your prime focus.
Today, I have felt rather out of balance again. You know when you just can’t seem to put your finger on it but you know that things are not right; things are not going as you wish them to; and even worse, start thinking that they are never going to be. Angst builds up and mood goes down. This is exactly how I feel. Hormones? beuing take for granted? A new perspective on the future?

As OH keeps saying, nothing has changed in the last three days or so. It may be that the sabbatical is opening a range of possibilities. I have a year to do exactly what I want to do and making up my mind is really hard. That most of the year will be devoted to writing is certain; what to focus on writing is a different matter entirely. Do I focus on writing academic paper and get a professorship? Do I write an academic book make a serious and enduring mark internationally? Or do I have some fun and build up the blog, write a book that is read?Ah! such a difficult decision - where do you want to be in 1, 2q, 3, 5, 10. 20 years time?

It is likely that these are not discrete but nested options – where is the Ockham’s razor? Ockham's razor is a lovely theory which should be taken into account but not taken as gospel - as with any other theory.

ani_26

Why don't you go for your weekend camping fw, and embrace the back to nature experience. Enjoy your time with friends. Look at the scenery? around you. Smell the grass, the countryside. Clear your mind and absorb everything around you. Completely clear your mind. Don't think of home or writing, at all. You don't have to. Appreciate every leaf on the tree, every bird you see/ hear, every cloud in the sky. Use all your senses.

This worked really well for me when i went to Oz. To this day, i can still bring to mind the intensity of a tree covered with orange berries, on the beach at Darwin. Every morning i went for a walk along the beach front, just to absorb that tree. It will remain with me, all my life.

Maybe i should now try practising, what i preach? Its a technique i often used, until recent times

ani_26

Just calling by to say i hope you have a happy weekend, and return feeling refreshed and chilled x


ps - don't forget to take an umbrella, and very large one, at that :rotfl:


Hope the weather is favourable

Firewalker

Yep, I am starting to feel a bit more positive about the whole thing. Cheri reminded me that I went last year and it was not bad really; in fact I wrote that I rather enjoyed the experience.

Tomorrow I am starting my sabbatical - 12 months for writing, reading and thinking. But first, I'll listen to Ani26 and chill for a week or two.

Good night and sleep well.

Firewalker

ani_26

Chilling, sounds good, fw. Theres no rush. You have a whole year. Clear your mind, first

I hope you continue to post in your diary. It may appear i disagree with almost everything you advocate, ie, i don't do frogs, lists, plans, and suchlike, but that does'nt stop me from having admiration for fw. My lifestyle and thoughts, are a world away from yours now, fw, but sometimes, what goes around, comes around. Maybe in 10 - 20 years time, you will look back and think? This will be interesting.

Gorgeous weather. Have a brandy for me tonight? xx

Cheery_Daff

Happy first day of sabbatical FW! :T :T :T

Firewalker

Thank you both. Ani26, I don't think I could keep away from here and writing - it helps me too much and I have made some really good virtual friends. And I am thinking even now - no need to wait for 10-20 years.

It has been a very strange start to a sabbatical. The first thing I did this morning was to spil a cup of very strong (and dark brown) coffee on a very light coloured settee. The second - to put the covers in the washing machine.

Just looked at the covers and in retrospect I probably should have not - there are bits that will need to be mended. I am sure it will be OK at the end but will teach me not to leave cups of coffee and then sit on them.

Apart from that my main task is to start relaxing and exhaling - so that I can face the year of creative destruction or destructive creation (whichever happens the outcomes will be interesting).

Now I am going to read something, then play with my new iphone (don't ask, this is part of OH's lucky run with getting deals, may it long continue), go for my haircut and go pitch a tent.

Keep safe and focused, people.

Firewalker

Karmacat

Wow, FW, a 12 month sabbatical. How wonderful! True, it started a bit oddly .... thats only one day, one morning of one day. Enjoy!

Triciaxx

I would think you feel a bit strange as this is a new experience and changes your life for the next year in ways you are not yet sure of. Relax into it and all will become clear.

Happy camping!