Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Mental Health Wednesday

I've felt it coming on and this morning I woke up in a somewhat depressed state of mind. I am not entirely sure how or why it has happened. But I had to go to work and I felt like I should just keep going and see what the day brought and maybe I could shake the feeling. It didn't help. This morning at work I felt like I was being painted into a corner and all I could feel was an avalanche of negativity and moody-grouchy patients didn't help. With no patients scheduled after lunch, I asked the doctor if I could leave for the afternoon. I thought that if I could just get away I could focus on trying to lift my mood. I had a few errands to run and I thought that would be a start to figure it all out.

Just as I left the office I decided that today was the day I was going to raid an apple tree across the road from where I work. It's located next to a closed pre-school and the last few weeks I've been noticing that the tree is full of apples. With no one around I decided it would probably be okay to just go and pick them. I realized in looking at the apples that they are overripe and you can see that they are not the best looking apples--I should have gotten them when I first noticed them. I picked a grocery bag full and I think that I'll cut up some for the dogs and feed the rest to the deer. At least they won't be going to waste. There are still a lot more and I think I'll get the rest on Friday.

During my errands I kept mulling over everything that was bothering me. But I realized that trying to sort it all out was like trying to solve a complex math problem while trying to keep myself from drowning at the same time. So I just stopped trying to figure it all out.

Once home I was greeted by the dogs who were happy to see me. We did our afternoon walk and played frisbee. Afterwards we all took a nap. To fit the mood and the direction of they day, I burned the dogs dinner. They didn't complain or act like they even noticed. I appreciated that. Afterwards we sat on the porch and as the sun set, geese were flying over. It was so peaceful and quiet sitting there with the dogs, and as night fell, I realized that things seem a bit brighter.

37 comments:

  1. For those BLUE mornings: Rescue Remedy

    For those apples screaming to be picked when ripe: Fug-it, get em next year.

    For those Golden faces licking there chops like Giada de Laurentiis HERSELF is burning their dinner: well, one look at those loving, appreciative faces should tell you that....They are what its all about. Nothing else matters at that time. You win, depression loses.

    Oh yea, Carl might complain, but I bet he's earned at least that privilege (even though he has questionable pack standing).

    BOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how I know all those feelings -

    Glad things are a bit ligher now -

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good for you to recognize that you needed to get away and then make it happen! Moods are funny things - I hope yours continues to lift.
    - Anne

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm really feeling for you here - my depression lifted a week or so ago & I felt alive again after a horrible month or so. The heavyness had gone & the black cloud & I am singing & smiling again.
    I did go to the docs & up my tablets but I've already put the dosage down.
    I have simply accepted that this happens. I got a big hug at T'ai Chi when I told my teacher about it all. Sending you a big hug - it will pass xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sometimes we need a "gloomy" day to make us appreciate all of the "sunny" ones!!

    (((HUGS)))
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  6. We all tend to have days like this.
    Could be your hormones acting up !
    Anyway, look at how happy your gang were to see you walk through the door, unconditional love.
    It doesn't get much better than that.
    Tomorrow's a new day Onwards and Upwards.
    { Hugs }
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  7. My days this week have been a little blue also. Being misunderstood by a family member resulting in a little rift which is unusual for us. I still feel I spoke the truth in love, but still it was not received. I suppose that is what's behind my dark mood, plus my pitiful Alzheimer patient mom who lives two states away and tells me she wants to come back home..it's getting to the point where everyone is a stranger and she is fearful. My injured hand is preventing me from doing certain aspects of my job--I hate it when co-workers have to do my job for me!!! Actually, sometimes we never know exactly what's behind the mood, but I know I'm ready for a real change in my life--probably with the job situation. Sometimes fatigue causes my mood to plummet, and I know winter time makes me feel bad. I need sunshine just like I need water! Oh well, the weekend is coming and just the thought of it helps me feel better! Hope your day is brighter and filled with sunshine! I'm just loving your dogs--your Wheaten reminds me so much of my late Wendy--I miss her!
    V.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Kim
    I can understand your feelings and mood. I've been going through some severe crying/depression spells the last few weeks - part of it is knowing that my Apples is running out of tomorrows. Soon I'll have to make that painful decision to let her go... But then I look at young Neeli - full of life and joy and she brings me so much joy.

    Here's hoping the rest of your week goes well. The chill is in the air here too (not exactly to my liking).

    Woofs,
    Nadine Apples & Neeli

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Kim
    I can understand your feelings and mood. I've been going through some severe crying/depression spells the last few weeks - part of it is knowing that my Apples is running out of tomorrows. Soon I'll have to make that painful decision to let her go... But then I look at young Neeli - full of life and joy and she brings me so much joy.

    Here's hoping the rest of your week goes well. The chill is in the air here too (not exactly to my liking).

    Woofs,
    Nadine Apples & Neeli

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning, Kim!
    Low moods get to even the best of us! I do hope you woke up all bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning!
    It's something great about dogs, they love us even when we are bad cooks!
    I'm trying to feel in a better mood myself, it's hard though.
    Have a great day!

    XXX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hang in there Kim, I think we all have times like this I know I sure do. Days when I feel like I can never do anything right, but thank goodness after a day or two I finally get myself pulled up out of the dumps and move on. Sweet fur friends do help though don't they? As long as they are there needing me I know I can't allow myself to slide to far down that slippery slope!
    Hope you are feeling better today!
    Hugs...Tina xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm hoping I feel brighter now that the MIL has left! (just 5 minutes ago!) I don't like to complain when I'm depressed because Paul is bipolar & his depression is enough for the both of us. Doesn't mean I don't get miserable though. I hope you feel brighter now....how about a swimming trip???! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good Morning Kim :)
    Boy I totally understand how you are feeling---I have so much to be thankful for but sometimes I just get that "down" feeling. Everything seems to make me sad. Isn't is so very nice to have all those Golden (and one Wheaten) buddies to brighten the day. There is just something special about the love of a dog. Hope your days continue to brighten. The weekend is only a day a way.
    xoxo
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  14. You're a good doggie momma to still think about their needs when you are feeling down. Been there, done that. Sometimes it's hard.

    Helping others helps me. REST...really helps.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think that you handled your dark day really well. Sometimes all we can do is "keep on keeping on." And, we're lucky in that we know that, eventually, the darkness will go away.

    I just love that doggie dinner picture. If that isn't the face of happy anticipation, I don't know what is.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's hard to chase away the 'frumps' when you aren't sure exactly what is causing them. On those days, everything just seems a little bit 'off'. I'm glad your pups helped lift your mood a bit and I am sure today will be a much better day for you my friend!

    Warm hugs to you Kim!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm glad you felt a bit better at the end of the day. I know all too well what it's like to feel down. I also try not to analyze why I'm feeling bad, I just put one foot in front of the other and keep busy because I know that if I don't, if I stay all by myself at home, I'll just feel so much worse. A very long walk always helps me feel better.

    ReplyDelete
  18. As strange as this may sound, I think days like that are good for us. When things do get or seem better, it helps us to keep things in perspective. It helps us realize that we ARE blessed after all. I have days like that, and I absolutely despize them. But when all is said and done, I know that I've got it good afterall. Hope your Thursday is bright and cheery.
    ~Randy

    ReplyDelete
  19. As strange as this may sound, I think days like that are good for us. When things do get or seem better, it helps us to keep things in perspective. It helps us realize that we ARE blessed after all. I have days like that, and I absolutely despize them. But when all is said and done, I know that I've got it good afterall. Hope your Thursday is bright and cheery.
    ~Randy

    ReplyDelete
  20. As strange as this may sound, I think days like that are good for us. When things do get or seem better, it helps us to keep things in perspective. It helps us realize that we ARE blessed after all. I have days like that, and I absolutely despize them. But when all is said and done, I know that I've got it good afterall. Hope your Thursday is bright and cheery.
    ~Randy

    ReplyDelete
  21. Some days are like that - blue for no apparent reason. I think you were right to stop trying to figure it all out - sometimes I just give up, go with the flow, honour the day for what it is, and know that the next morning will probably be brighter.

    You do so much to brighten all of our days, with your honesty, humour and caring heart - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Kim,
    I wonder if the fact that the days are getting shorter has something to do with it? I know it definitely effects me like that. Thank God for my dogs and chickens! They're an instant spirit lifter. No matter how bad my day has been, when I see those little faces in the window staring at me and wagging their tails ("Mommy's home - YAY!") and the chickens who run across the yard to meet me when I come in the house through the back porch, wow, works wonders. I hope you're feeling lots better today :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I sometimes think the transition of seasons makes us blue. While I have clinical depression, and have to take meds daily, I still get the blues sometimes. Best to sleep it off and start again.

    And dogs are great - they just love you no matter what, don't they?

    ReplyDelete
  24. don't you just hate days like that?
    For me all it takes is coming home, forgetting all about "work", a hug from my dogs, a rub for the goats, maybe a walk around the farm. Maybe watching a sunset. A good glass of iced tea(no sugar)..
    And if that doesn't help, I get in the kitchen and cleave and pound something into submission in the process of cooking supper, and all is well with the world.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Seems to be something in the blogsphere this week, I'm sure the dark clouds will past. Stay positive.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm sorry you had a bad day yesterday. It happens to the best of us. Actually, maybe there was something in the air Wednesday because I decided to "throw in the towel" on the day as well and took a long nap with the dogs. It definitely helped!

    And, for such a crummy day, you took some wonderful pictures! :)

    Take care,

    -C

    ReplyDelete
  27. I take a low dose of "happy pills" as I call them and have been for many years. I rarely get the blues and I know it's the meds that help. My doc said to never quit taking them. You might try it and see if that helps. Also, when problems arise and I don't have any answers I just tell the Lord that I am giving them to him and he can work them out for me. And he does.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I could have written this myself, I so completely relate to those suffocating days at work. It is always a sweet moment outdoors with my dog that lets me know it will all be okay too. Hang in there friend...

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dear Kim
    Do you mind if I come sit beside you? Would you like to talk into my ear? Oh I know you have lots of ears to talk tooo, but just in case,,,, i am here.
    I was talking to my mommy,,,, she said,,,,, well she said,,,,, I know Kim is saying. I know what your saying too,,,, and we hope your weekend is better for you and for all the friends who commented.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  30. Kim, I get those blue mornings sometimes. It is usually when I get less than 6 hours of sleep, so lately I have been focusing on getting to bed before midnight. I am sorry you had one of those days. I wouldn't wish it on anyone! Sometimes just calling an old friend, or just hugging Simba helps me. Im sure with your housefull of dogs all those hugs would atleast heal up your heart a little!!! :-)

    Hope all is well with you. Sorry I am so behind. I had a busy week! Simba is doing well and on his new food with his vitamin supplements. His paws are all still red, but no licking or irration.. I may put him on a stronger antihistamin
    e. Guess I'll have to wait and talk to the vet about that!
    Anywho, have a great day! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Kim,
    Some days we all just need to take a mental health day.
    I know I've done it quite often because I felt down in the dumps. Why? Who knows, it just happens so I stay home and usually sleep in a bit then go for a walk and bake something. The baking part I have no idea if that helps my mood or if it's the smell of something yummy cooking.
    Hope this finds you feeling much more up!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Good for you for taking the time that you needed to take care of yourself! And how blessed you are to have all of those wonderful dogs. I'm sure they must be kind of like my sheep ~ they bring me a sense of peace and serenity.

    Oh, I could CRY for those apples! How my sheep and chickens would love them!

    ;-)

    I hope you have a glorious weekend

    ReplyDelete
  33. Boy can I ever relate! I worked with psychiatrist for 20 years - and some days I HAD to take a mental health day...

    Usually one day of time alone did it for me, but, not always. I always came around and usually all it took was a dog on my lap and a good ol' lick on the chin.

    Actually, I have a t-shirt that has a cartoon of a dog portraying the psychiatrist and a person lying on a couch and the dog says to the patient - "my therapy is simple. I wag my tail and lick your face and you will feel all better." How true, how true....

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hope you are back to yourself. Those pups must help.

    ReplyDelete
  35. How I hate those unsettled feelings that come now and then. Good for you for taking time off to clear your head and no finer helpers than a dog or two.

    Isn't it great how they never comment on our cooking disasters?

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have visited your blog before, coming over.. from our mutual blogger friends. You have wonderful posts and great writing included therein.

    Thank you for visiting me and leaving an encouraging comment.

    I have two beautiful granddogs, however they are Labs..

    ReplyDelete
  37. I know how you feel, life can be overwhelming at times....

    Gill

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!