Thursday, October 01, 2009

What a difference a year makes

I'm dashing this off before running to meet a friend to see Mortified, a hilarious-sounding piece of performance art where people read from their teenage diaries. I'm feeling a little anxious about going--this is a new friend and I'm realizing more and more what an introvert I'm becoming and how these acts of reaching out unnerve me. That's the reason I'm taking the time to write this now, since writing is one of the things that reliably centers me (walking is the other).

Last year this time was the hardest time of my life. For reasons too personal to share here, last fall was a time filled with darkness and depression for me. I'm reminded so heavily of that time now, as the anniversary of this dismal period is upon me. For example, last year this time, I could not get up the energy or initiative to start up a NaNoWriMo group in Easton, even though I wanted so badly to learn more about the writing and arts scene in our new town. I remember hating myself for not having the focus to do that. (Luckily, Brian stepped up and did this without my help.) This year, on the other hand, I am so excited to welcome NaNo into my life, and I will be contacting our library soon to see about hosting some write ins.

There are other "fun" things, like hosting a French cooking class at my house and having my family over for Thanksgiving, that I look back on and realize how much energy they took up--so much more so than usual because pretending to be OK and happy sucks out whatever little life there is in you when you're depressed.

I know a few friends who are going through some tough times right now. Divorces. Difficult pregnancies. Stresses of kids and working. So I'm posting this now to say, Hang in there. This fall might be truly awful. But in a year, you might look back on this and say, "Phew. So glad that's over and I'm happy again." I hope you can. Best Blogger Tips

7 comments:

megan said...

i want to hear all about "mortified!" it sounds like a scream!
thank you for your post today. i love october above all months--but i am so anxious and stressed, and am trying to keep it together and in perspective. thanks for the lift. :)
-megan

Kelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kells said...

I'm not sure what happened during your last fall, but my last fall was also a very tough time for me. So much, I keep worrying I'm going to fall back into a funk this year!

And we've had a lot of divorces, affairs, craziness in my small town too. We've been joking, "Don't drink the water..." but maybe it's just everyone in a strange state of disconnection??

Thanks for your post. I'm wishing you a good season!

Writer Bug said...

Thank you both for your comments. Megan, I'll definitely post about Mortified in the near future. It was a great show.

Kells, I totally relate--I'm also very nervous about whether this happy time will somehow morph back into the hell of last fall. Here's hoping it doesn't happen for either of us! Enjoy the season.

Becca said...

Having been through a very tough summer, I can certainly relate to your feelings about your experiences last autumn. It's good to hear you're feeling better about life in general! I'm looking forward to happier days myself :)

I've done NaNoWriMo a couple of times, but I don't think I'm up to it this year. I'll be a cheerleader for you, though!

Tracy I said...

That's the perfect post for me today. Thanks.

January said...

Read your post a few days ago but forgot to comment. It's just what I needed to read. Thanks.

Writer Bug said...

So glad others are finding the post helpful. :)