28 July 2021, Somewhere in the Metaverse - UplandDood (@Just1Dood)

Through mud & snow

This last weekend was an interesting one. I feel lethargic. Demotivated. Felt like dragging my feet through mud or knee-high snow. Just downright ... ugh feeling.

I almost couldn't write anything, especially on Sunday. Sunday is a day I don't do any posting but still aim to write. The articles that I write on Sundays go into my article bank. This was my article insurance in case I have an extended period of ... ughs. When that happens, then I can withdraw articles from this bank while I nurse my ... ugh feeling back to a yay feeling.

On Sandy Beach

Today is a Monday (at the time I am writing this, it is. Why would I lie about that?). This article that I'm writing now will not be posted on this same day. It may see the light of day a few days in the future (as I'm reviewing this article prior to posting, it's now Wednesday, two days from when this article was written), provided I manage to finish it and am self-satisfied with it. (Since I'm reviewing prior to posting, it means that I did manage to finish it. And yeah, quite satisfied with it.).

I feel better today, I think. Felt better than yesterday. Yesterday was kinda bad. Still, considering that I had set out to write an article and to clear my weekly accumulated notifications and sorta succeeded (with the help of "Mark these as read" button), I guess it's still a feather in the cap for me. Not quite a resounding success but nonetheless, accomplished (You'll have to read my "Success is Overrated" to understand this point).

Do not cross the line

Like I said, today is better. And as I sat down to write this, I wonder if this is what the onset of being burned out is like. I mean, I have experienced being at the end of my candle's wick when I was holding jobs in the past. But getting burned out for over engaging in a hobby or pastime? That's something new. Maybe like all things, there is a fine line that we need to be aware of. I always joke about 'imaginary' lines like these. Don't cross it. It will take hours to untangle later. Some may not be possible to untangle at all if crossed. I know it sounds silly but it's good advice.

Anyone here who's ever pursued anything will soon discover the law of diminishing returns. You'll soon be confronted with the line I talked about in the above paragraph. You'll have to make a choice then. I did. By that time, I'd already finished the article and was on my way to clearing notifications. My stress meter was at the red zone, nicely color-coordinated with the ReadCash red bell. Have you ever noticed that somehow when the bell is red, it's more glaring? It kinda gets under your bones, eh? Then your head starts spinning. LOL.

I'm very glad to say that NoiseCash provided me an avenue to release some of this pent-up pressure. This NoiseCash is almost like a pressure release valve for me. Being able to post my frustration helped relieve some pressure. It was a good distraction from the task at hand. I was able to post something like this there. Thank you, NoiseCash.

With a clearer mind today, I'm doing a little reflection as to the cause of that ... ugh feeling. After going through a process of elimination, I have narrowed it down to the possible cause. I now believe it's due to certain neighbors making noise in the wee hours of the morning. This group of idiots (I'm being really nice here) would start gathering for get-togethers every night starting from 11 PM or 12 AM. (To make matters worse, despite the Covid-19 pandemic still not being under control, these idiots were not following any safety precautions). The ruckus will go on until the obscene hour of 3 or 4 AM. I know because one of those nights, I really couldn't sleep. I was so irritated that if I had a bag of sh1t handy, I'd throw it in their direction. My self-control was intact and like a civilized person, I had to get up around 2 AM and make myself a cup of coffee and see if I could write, staying up past 4 AM!

You may know this - lack of sleep can make one very edgy. I was highly irritable and it culminated on this Sunday. Even though the nightly ruckus had stopped since Saturday (3 days ago) but the damage due to lack of quality sleep was already done. My mind and body felt the brunt of it on Sunday.

Back on track

Like I said, today, I can feel myself getting back to normal though I'm still slightly irritable. I foresee that it may take another day or two before I feel fully rested and enough time for the effects of the damage to wear off.

I should be back on track this week.

Four Stress Management Tips

Though this is an article with no title, do not judge the book by the cover (title). I do have some learning lessons for all my readers. Tips that hopefully can help you to manage your stress level.

1. Guard your sleeping time like a hawk.

   • Lack of sleep or lack of quality sleep will impact the quality of your daily life. You'll not be able to function optimally and for the period, you will be like a porcupine. You'll drive people away. And you may be tempted to throw bagfuls of sh1t at people who irritate you.

2. Push through as much as possible

   • I really didn't feel like writing on Sunday. But I beat myself into submitting to my commitment to write. LOL. Talk about being a glutton for punishment! I'm glad I did it. Though it was not a top form article, I know that with the first attempt done, I can always go back to touch up later. If you're curious, it's titled "Your Expiry Date" for now. That may change. (You'll notice that that article has not been published yet, even though it was written ahead of this one. Yes, it's still brewing and I'll need to do some upgrades before seeing fit for publishing).

3. Have an escape (distraction)

   • NoiseCash was a good distraction for me. It channels me away from my normal routine. With NoiseCash, I get to switch gear a little and write some weird thoughts like - A Captain's Log, Never play Whac-a-Mole, and even a thought on the Olympics! A welcomed change.

   • If you have reached the apex of your endurance, always have a "Reset Button"

     • I'd reached that level after having written my article and going through the process of clearing my ReadCash notifications. I read as many articles as I can but at that critical point, before I go ballistic, I am glad the "Mark these as read button" is within easy reach. I could feel myself recovering somewhat the more I clicked this button. LOL. Life's simple pleasures.

4. Have Fun

   • I learn to be able to not take things seriously. Be able to laugh at me and others and at everything else. After all, it is not a life-and-death situation. So, why be so serious, right?

Although the examples I shared in items 2 & 3 above are writing-related, it is applicable for any situations.

I hope the above has been entertaining and helpful for you.

Stay safe and see you in the next article.

Sources:

Header: Unsplash.com - Megan Byers

Image 1: Unsplash.com - Dim Hou

Image 2: Unsplash.com - Hello I'm Nik

Thank you again for dropping by. Have fun with English. Remember to share your experience in the comment section.

Do drop by to say hi at my following addresses. I promise I'll be at home :)

NoiseCash: UplandDood

Twitter: UplandDood

Publish0x: UplandDood (link takes you to site. You'll have to search for UplandDood to find me)