Monday, September 27, 2010
Having a Breakdown
I'm tired. Normally, I am a people person. I get energy from people. But lately, I am so burned out, that I don't even want to be around people I dearly love (my wife and kids excluded, of course). I am tired of being busy. We've seriously been non-stop busy since Joi's family reunion in June. We now lead two ministries at church. Gage and Gavin play soccer. We've got Friday school for all of the boys. We baby sit on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We've had out of state visitors, birthday parties, and church activities that we needed to go to. I can't remember the last time we had nothing to do. On Saturday, I declared that we would have a "Do Nothing Day". But, we had to go to a soccer game for Gage and Gavin in the morning (which was cool...they won 4-2 and Gavin scored another goal). So, we decided that after the game, we will try to have a "Do Nothing Day". We ended up going to the Hamburger Stand for lunch, since someone told us that they had Wienerschnitzel Hot Dogs and we hadn't had those since California. After lunch, since we were already up north, we went to the library. By the time, we got home from these errands, it was after 1pm. So, half the do-nothing day was spent doing things. We decided to watch movies at home and eat out...so that there was very little to do in the way of cooking and doing dishes. We even let the house get dirty and the sink fill with dirty dishes, because I said that we would do nothing. But, then Sunday rolled around. We got up early and went to church at 9am, because we are being trained to take over the Connection Team Ministry. After church, we had lunch, got home, and began to clean because we were hosting Life Group at our house and it was our turn to lead the group. We super-cleaned the house (which took longer because it was dirty from our Do-Nothing-Day) and somewhere along the line Joi and I began to argue about something. I don't even remember what. I just remember that I wasn't making sense and that I was contradicting myself. At one point, I admitted this to Joi and said that I am so tired and burned out, that all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry. She sent me upstairs to rest and have some alone time. I took the Life Group book and questions with me, so that I could prepare for the group. I finished that up and tried to take a nap...but all I could do was look around the room and see all of the things I could be doing. I could dust that entertainment center. I could put my hats in the closet. I could clean up the clutter. Eventually, my mind took over and I jumped up to begin cleaning and straightening. I gave up on rest and alone time and came down stairs, much to Joi's chagrin (who hoped that I would actually rest and relax). Then we had Life Group, Skyped my Dad, and went to bed...only to wake up early and start our busy days again. I went to work and Joi got ready for baby sitting. I'm finding that any little thing that goes wrong makes me want to have a mental breakdown. I know this is not normal. This is not me at all. I'm just burned out. The last time I felt like this was when I finished up my bachelors degree and was preparing to get married within the same 2 month period. I ended up sleeping 15+ hours a day while on my Honeymoon....because I was finally able to crash. I'm wondering when I'll get an opportunity to crash this time. If I feel this way, I can only imagine how my beautiful wife feels. She is an introvert and gets energy sucked from her when she is around people too often or when she is too busy. I feel badly for her, too. Sorry if my blog sounded complain-y. That's just where I am today. I'm tired. I'm ready to crash.
Labels:
Goings-On,
Life,
Stuff I Don't Like
4 comments:
I completely relate to what you are saying. The last few years have been "hell", especially around the time of my wedding to Ray. That's probably part of the reason why Ray and I fight so much. I have no "down" time. Even when I told Ray that from now on Fridays were our day to not answer the phone or go to work, either he or I would get sucked in with the next "BIG EMERGENCY" at the church.
It's not a healthy way to run a life or a marriage and worst of all, it was draining all my time to spend with God.
A few weeks ago, God showed me something from the Bible about contentment. Phil. 4:10-13
God told me to be content with the workload He had given me. He told me that my rest is found in Him and I cannot rely on myself to find that rest. No also told me to learn to just say no sometimes. To stop worrying about offending others when invited to my 20th baby/wedding/birthday event. To kindly ask people not to call me on my day off and if they; do ignore the call and apoligize later.
It's a work in progress, but it comforts me to know that God is on my side and He does want me to rest. I can't be effective for His kingdom if I am always tired, stressed or burned out. You do need that down time on a regular basis though. Plan it ahead and do NOT let anything stop you from using it.
I believe that God will give the desires of your heart and I will join you in believeing that He will provide it soon.
PS... DO NOT let what happened to your stepfather happen to you. He was literally worked to death.
I agree with your mom-- downtime is essential to basic functioning. And downtime doesn't happen by itself; as you noticed, every available moment tends to get sucked up. Your plan to have a do-nothing day is a good one (maybe not nothing, but easier dinners, no running around and such.) Better to realize your (and your families) limitations than to end up so tired that you bicker with each other.
My personal downtime is being taken over by a cat with Altzheimer's who meows at me constantly. I did have a great day shopping with your Mom and Cindy the other day; that was relaxing and fun-- no screaming cat and two meals out at places Patrick wouldn't go (sushi and health food!)
I have a family the same age as yours and I totaly sympathize with you. It is hard to find time for your self but next time you are sent to your room take a good book so you aren't tempted by the dust and laundry. I am more like Joi and it is necessary for me to have alone time, you both need it and you both need just "you two" alone time. Take it and your relationship, kids and job will be glad you did.
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