I know, I know…I am mixing boot metaphors. But I am tired. Mixed metaphors are the best I can do. Keeping in mind that I work 12 hour shifts, working 9 out of 11 days is brutal. I can’t keep this up. I feel like I did when I was drinking….exhausted, angry, sad, dragging into the local take-out lines looking a bit homeless, buying milk and pet food at the gas station, face unwashed, not taking care of myself at all, getting isolated and weird. It is very hard to have my few healthy coping mechanisms squeezed out of my life. I simply cannot get to the gym if I am up at 0500, don’t get home til 2000 and have to do it all over again the next day. There is no time to unwind or focus my thoughts when I am stuck in this hamster wheel.
The fact that I feel like Drunk Me even though I am sober is unacceptable. Being this run down and isolated from any non-work related activities is a big part of how I ended up so disconnected from life and myself that just getting drunk over and over again seemed like a reasonable choice. I don’t do well in abusive situations and nursing as a profession can feel more like an abusive relationship than a career. This can’t go on. I haven’t been feeling all the terrible sober feelings for the last seven months to have the same empty shell of a life I had when I was drunk and comfortably numb. This. Is bullshit.
So what to do, what to do? Drastically downsize my financial obligations for one thing. I don’t need this three bedroom two bath house in the most expensive per square foot neighborhood in the metro area. Super…selling a house isn’t stressful AT ALL. She said with eyes rolling. Relocate. Over the last two years my tribe has moved away one at a time. I want to move closer to my family. I feel like I am just getting ready to run again but in truth, this life does not fit me anymore and it is time to make a new one. If I end up living in a yurt making soap to sell at Bonnaroo, so fucking be it.
Nursing Grudges and Liquor 
Sounds like you need a change and you need a rest. Is there no way you can just take a day off and chill? Resting is so important. I love yurts they are awesome!
xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nurses…no such thing as take a day off. I am being crushed under work bc somebody else broke a leg two months ago. If I don’t show up, there is nobody to cover. Patients just won’t have a nurse.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so sorry to hear that you have no choice but to carry on. This is my biggest danger zone, overtired and overworked. I really hope this doesn’t last long. xxx
LikeLike
Yes, it is a very unsettling space for me as well. My choice will have to be to try…again…to find a job that allows work-life balance. I am not convinced that this exists in my field. And if that is the case, I will choose something else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have so much respect for nurses, I think it takes a high level of altruism to do that for a living and provide the energy and care people need. Making soap is always there.:) Well finding balance might be an exciting new adverture for you. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being overworked is hard. I hope you can find a break to have a bit of space to figure out your best next move.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh honey. I’d buy your soap.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know nurses are very overworked, and have long shifts.
That’s on top of the stress of helping the patients, hospital admin, doctors, families…
I too, hope you get some time to figure out what is best for you.
In the meantime, I’ll be sending you some love.
xo
Wendy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take chances!!! It will all work out . Good luck 🙂 really hope it all gets better for you. I’m all for just starting new and finding something else you love doing that would not drain you. Careers are great and the money is even better but .. life is so much more than that.
LikeLiked by 1 person