Health issues Pt. 2 + Update
3 years ago
So weirdly enough, about 2 days after making that last journal, the heart palpitations pretty much have all but gone away, and I don't know why. I haven't really done anything differently. If anything, I feel like I've been even MORE stressed lately than usual, but yeah the doctors say I'm healthy, just a slightly above average cholesterol level, which is something my mom has as well.
So, I guess it's ok? Or maybe the heart palpitations are a sign that my life is going well, since they don't appear when I'm stressed out lmao.
As for why I'm stressed out, it's because I'm hitting that big transitional period of life where I move on from college and into getting a career. Big, big scary changes about being a big responsible adult and all. My bf's making a salary wage now as a manager of an escape room and I'm super proud of him, but I'm not sure I can match his work ethic or intelligence or skills, etc etc. I suck at tech stuff, I'm literally the prime example of C's get degrees here.
I'm making a fat fur idler as my capstone project, because why not? Boyfriend is even doing all the art for it. I dunno how it's gonna turn out, we'll have to see, but it'll uh be something.
Otherwise, stories are kinda on the back burner. I feel like writing has gotten super hard lately and it's frustrating. I take on a bunch of projects when I'm motivated and excited, I start, I hit a writer's block, and suddenly I'm unable to write a god damn thing. And again with the whole transitional period I mentioned earlier taking place, I'm not sure I can properly sit down and plan out my stories when it feels like I'm being tugged in every direction. I used to drink energy drinks to get hyperfocused on a story and just crank them out, but with my heart being so weird lately, I've been too afraid of taking in any caffeine. Any recommendations on energy supplements that won't destroy my heart? lmao
So, I guess it's ok? Or maybe the heart palpitations are a sign that my life is going well, since they don't appear when I'm stressed out lmao.
As for why I'm stressed out, it's because I'm hitting that big transitional period of life where I move on from college and into getting a career. Big, big scary changes about being a big responsible adult and all. My bf's making a salary wage now as a manager of an escape room and I'm super proud of him, but I'm not sure I can match his work ethic or intelligence or skills, etc etc. I suck at tech stuff, I'm literally the prime example of C's get degrees here.
I'm making a fat fur idler as my capstone project, because why not? Boyfriend is even doing all the art for it. I dunno how it's gonna turn out, we'll have to see, but it'll uh be something.
Otherwise, stories are kinda on the back burner. I feel like writing has gotten super hard lately and it's frustrating. I take on a bunch of projects when I'm motivated and excited, I start, I hit a writer's block, and suddenly I'm unable to write a god damn thing. And again with the whole transitional period I mentioned earlier taking place, I'm not sure I can properly sit down and plan out my stories when it feels like I'm being tugged in every direction. I used to drink energy drinks to get hyperfocused on a story and just crank them out, but with my heart being so weird lately, I've been too afraid of taking in any caffeine. Any recommendations on energy supplements that won't destroy my heart? lmao
I get how you feel about writing... Sometimes I go months without writing a single word and then go mad writing 2000 words a day. The only advice I can offer is to try to make writing a healthy habit. Aim for something like 250-500 words a day and write literally anything. Maybe try vitamins in place of caffeine? They won't make you feel any more awake, but they couldn't hurt!
Most importantly, though, be kind to yourself. We aren't machines capable of churning out endless products. And even if we were, machines sometimes need maintenance! I know it's easier said than done, but give yourself some TLC :)
*steps onto soapbox*
The transitional period from college to career is perhaps the biggest shift in life (besides having kids), so it is natural to feel stressed out about it. Anecdotally, I have observed that it is the ones that aren't stressed about it that struggle the most to find their career footing. It might help to frame your perspective to temper that stress and use it to your advantage. Instead of comparing yourself to your boyfriend or anyone else, think about how the overwhelming majority of people successfully make that jump--many of them with less drive, intelligence, and skills than you. And everyone makes it in their own way. You have the support system to make it. It may take patience and an open mind, but you will find your way--even if the destination seems uncertain at the moment. You have skills to bring to the table; discover and embrace them as you search for and test out your fit in the workforce.
*steps off of soapbox*
The best energy supplements are a good sleep routine and regular exercise (and I already know that you are doing pretty well on the latter, at least *wink*). The work-life balance may help with your writing, and it will definitely help with your transition to a career. (Plus, they will likely even help support your heart.) If you can schedule time to write every day, then great! If not, that's why we have back burners--your stories can simmer for as long as they need to. A dedicated writing block can feel like a recipe for, well, writer's block, but having that period to express yourself often pays off. Your writing can be anything: fetish-related mini-scenes, general creative prose, poetry, introspective journaling. Make a quick note whenever inspiration comes, and see if you care to expand on it during a future writing session.
Good luck, Denya! I am looking forward to hearing (and maybe seeing?) how your fat fur idler turns out.
It sounds like taking a break is needed. At least until you're out the transitional period.
Best wishes on the writing!
I'm going to say your best bet is probably stuff with B12 Lol
Zipfizz or something.
I don't know your specific intake of energy drinks, but if consumed enough, they can cause your heart to do nasty things, and this is coming from a complete and total soda junkie. You could have had an energy drink one day, it finally tripped something in your heart, and cue the palpitations for a while until it got flushed out of your system.
Other than that... one of the most prolific authors ever had a 2 hours a day workrate, which is to say 2 hours a day and no more than 2 hours a day were spent writing, whether it was good, bad, beautiful, or ugly. The best advice on that end I can give is basically the power of positive thinking and the power of getting into a solid routine. Tell yourself you can do it, get yourself into a solid routine, and eventually your mundane becomes astonishing to the rest of us. I'm sure this is like telling someone with depression to stop being sad at a certain level, but that's at least a concrete goal to potentially strive for.